Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 April 2026
919. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the amount of funding that has been allocated to County Meath under the Rural Regeneration Development Fund for each of the years from 2020 to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28079/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) is a major capital investment programme which seeks to support large-scale, ambitious projects which can achieve sustainable economic and social development in rural areas.
Funding for RRDF projects is provided to successful applicants following periodic Calls for Proposals. Proposals are sought under two categories, Category 1 and Category 2. Category 1 relates to larger scale ambitious capital projects with all necessary planning and other consents in place and which are ready to proceed. Category 2 provides grant funding of up to €1m to enable the development of project proposals suitable for future calls for Category 1 applications.
Since 2020, the RRDF has allocated almost €449 million to 164 projects across the country. Of this, over €3.6 million has been allocated to five projects located in County Meath. This includes c. €620k in Category 2 funding awarded in October 2025 to Meath County Council, the Lead Body for the 'Clonkeehan House' project in Slane. Details of Meath projects can be found in the table below. Details of all projects funded under RRDF and other Departmental schemes can be found on the Department’s website.
I was delighted to open a Call for Proposals for Category 1 applications in February 2026. This Call, which will close on 28 July 2026, will focus on strategically important, large-scale projects that are ready to commence and have full planning and other consents in place. Full details are available on my department's website.
I am committed to ensuring that the RRDF can continue to support high quality and transformational projects across rural Ireland in line with the objectives of Our Rural Future and the Town Centre First policy.
Table: RRDF Projects in Co. Meath
|
Year Funding |
Category |
Project Name |
Location |
Lead Body |
Total RRDF Allocation |
|
2020 |
2 |
Athboy Town Centre |
Athboy |
Meath County Council |
€608,250 |
|
2021 |
1 |
Enfield Community and Enterprise Hub |
Enfield |
Meath County Council |
€587,071 |
|
2022 |
2 |
Dunshaughlin Courthouse and Town Centre |
Dunshaughlin |
Meath County Council |
€952,600 |
|
2022 |
2 |
Oldcastle Town Centre |
Oldcastle |
Meath County Council |
€854,502 |
|
2025 |
2 |
Clonkeehan House |
Slane |
Meath County Council |
€620,317 |
