I propose to take Questions Nos. 329 and 330 together.
My Department implements a wide range of schemes that have supported thousands of individual capital projects throughout the country in recent years.
Details in relation to supported projects are available on my department’s website.
Across these schemes, projects are delivered by a range of lead bodies who have responsibility for the day-to-day management and delivery of projects. My department is in ongoing engagement with lead bodies to support efficient and effective delivery of projects. These lead bodies include local authorities, local development companies, and LEADER Groups.
For CLÁR, the Town & Village Renewal Scheme, and the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, the scheme terms and conditions generally set out indicative completion dates of around 18-24 months. However, the Department works with lead bodies, to monitor delivery and shows flexibility where it is needed to ensure projects are delivered for communities.
For these schemes, funding approvals are generally granted in the form of maximum agreed grant amounts, with any cost overruns beyond the final agreed amount either met by the applicant or through agreed changes to the project that reduce costs to remain within the agreed amount without significantly impacting the project.
Under the LEADER programme, Local Action Groups (LAGs) receive a multi-annual funding allocation to support projects in their own LEADER area. Grant contributions towards individual projects are approved and monitored by LAGs in each area, and no additional funding is provided by the Department above the approved project allocations.
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) supports large scale and ambitious capital projects. It is typically expected that approved projects would have a lifecycle of up to 5 years from funding application, through the design and planning process and to construction completion.
Údarás na Gaeltachta manages an extensive capital programme across its building portfolio to foster enterprise and sustainable employment within Gaeltacht regions. Additionally, the authority secures strategic investment through schemes like the RRDF and REDF to deliver large-scale infrastructure projects.
The details requested by the Deputy in relation to the schemes referenced are listed in the tables at the link below. The tables cover all projects completed in the years 2021-2025 and any project completions submitted to my department to date in 2026.
In relation to projects not completed on time, the Valentia Trans-Atlantic Cable Station Project was approved funding of €1.27 million in 2018 under RRDF. The project is behind schedule and has not been completed. My official are in contact with the Lead Body on the project in relation to the appropriate next steps.
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