Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 February 2026
626. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to expedite all regeneration schemes in County Kerry, including Killorglin town; the detailed breakdown of timelines for this scheme for Killorglin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11468/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) is a major capital investment programme, which seeks to support large-scale, ambitious projects that can achieve sustainable economic and social development in rural areas. The focus of the RRDF is on rural towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000 people.
Responsibility for the management, procurement and delivery of RRDF projects rests with designated ‘Lead Bodies'. This includes Kerry County Council, which has been allocated a total of €1.63m in respect of two linked RRDF projects in Killlorglin.
In 2022, the Killorglin Town Centre Smart Rural Regeneration Project was allocated €962,000 under Category 2 of the RRDF. Kerry County Council has confirmed the following position on this project;
• Plans and detailed designs have been completed for the renovation and transformation of Killorglin Courthouse, a protected structure, in to a vibrant Heritage and Cultural Centre. This includes securing Part 8 planning in 2024.
• A Public Realm Design Plan for Killorglin town centre is complete and was developed in consultation with Transport Infrastructure Ireland. The Part 8 planning approval has been granted for Killorglin Public Realm on the 30th of January 2026. Detailed design stage is ongoing and will be complete by Q2 2026.
Following on completion of the detailed designs and securing planning for Killorglin Courthouse, in 2024 a Category 1 RRDF application was allocated €672k for a project that involves the practical works to renovate Killorglin Courthouse. Kerry County Council has advised that the main tender for works for this project was published on Friday the 9th of January 2026 with a deadline of Friday the 13th of February 2026. The Council has expressed the view that construction works should commence in Quarter 2 of 2026.
My officials remain in ongoing contact with all local authorities to ensure that the delivery of projects funded under the range of schemes implemented by my department is expedited. I am committed to ensuring that the substantial investment provided by my department across rural Ireland can continue to support high quality and transformational projects in line with the objectives of Our Rural Future and the Town Centre First policy.
