From Department of Rural and Community Development
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Michael Ring TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development , has today announced 26 projects which will be allocated funding of €62 million under the second call for funding under the €1 billion Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, a key component of Project Ireland 2040.
The announcement took place in the Dunbrody Visitor Centre in New Ross, Co Wexford. The allocated funding of €62 million will be leveraged with a further €33 million in matched funding being provided by State-funded bodies, philanthropic sources and rural communities. This represents a total investment of €95 million in projects across every region which, in the years ahead, will deliver significant benefits for those living and working in rural towns and villages
Under Project Ireland 2040, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, administered by the Department of Rural and Community Development, will provide €1 billion in investment over 10 years to support the renewal of small towns, villages and outlying rural areas. Initial funding of €315 million is being allocated on a phased basis over the period 2019 to 2022. So far the Fund has provided €148 million for 110 projects across Ireland, worth a total of €212 million.
Today’s announcement relates to Category 1 of the Fund which focuses on strategic, large-scale projects which are ready to commence and which are focused on the regeneration of rural towns and villages. The 26 projects being announced today deliver on that objective in a variety of different ways.
Speaking at the event today Minister Ring said :
“I am delighted to announce the successful projects from the second call for funding under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. The Fund was established under Project Ireland 2040 to deliver the targeted investment necessary to ensure that rural Ireland continues to grow and prosper and deliver on the balanced regional growth that is in everyone’s interests.
“Following this announcement, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund will have delivered investment totalling €148 million for 110 projects across Ireland, worth a total of €212 million. This funding announced under the first call to the Fund is already transforming rural communities and after today, every county in the country will be benefitting from the investment provided by the Fund."
The Minister continued :
“I believe that it is vital that we continue to build resilience in rural communities and make our towns and villages vibrant places for families to live. The projects that this Fund supports are targeting areas where they can have the greatest economic and social impact and will help support communities in facing the uncertainty still posed by Brexit.”
The Minister concluded :
“Today’s announcement represents the completion of the second call for funding under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. We have had a phenomenal level of interest, with applications of an excellent standard, and I want to take this opportunity to congratulate all those who were successful. For those who have been unsuccessful, my Department will provide feedback to enable them to prepare for the next call for Category 1 proposals in 2020. I expect to be in a position to announce a call for Category 2 applications under the Fund, to assist further project development work around the country, before the end of the year.”
Details of the successful projects under second call for funding under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund are available here .
Project Ireland 2040 – The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund
Project Ireland 2040 is the Government’s overarching policy and planning framework for the social, economic and cultural development of Ireland. It includes a detailed capital investment plan for the next ten years, the National Development Plan (NDP) 2018-2027, and the National Planning Framework which outlines the broader policy principles and priorities in planning for future population and economic growth to 2040.
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund was established to deliver on the objective in the National Development Plan 2018-2027 of Strengthened Rural Economies and Communities and will be rolled out over a 10-year period. The Fund is administered by the Department of Rural and Community Development.
The Fund will provide investment to support suitable projects in towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000, and outlying areas which will deliver on the aims of Project Ireland 2040 and achieve sustainable economic and social development in these areas. Initial funding of €315 million has been allocated to the fund on a phased basis over the period 2019 to 2022
Under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, funding of €86 million was announced for 84 projects from the first call over two announcements in Sligo (November 2018) and Castlebayney (February 2019).
The lists of projects already announced can be found here
The second call for applications to the Fund for Category 1 proposals (projects which are fully planning and consent ready) was launched in April 2019 and closed on 6 August 2019.
The second call for proposals focused on Category 1 capital regeneration projects which are ready to commence. The Fund sets out to support collaborative projects in rural settlements of less than 10,000, with funding available of at least €500,000. Applications to the Fund are on a competitive basis, with projects assessed in accordance with the appraisal scheme published in relation to the second call, overseen by the Project Advisory Board, made up of representatives from key Government Departments as well as independent experts.
As part of the second call, the appraisal scheme for applications awarded additional weight to the achievement of key policy priorities relating to building the resilience of communities to face the challenges posed by Brexit and assisting in the transition to a competitive, low carbon, climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable economy.
It is expected that a call for Category 2 applications – relating to projects which require funding to assist them to reach Category 1 status – will open by the end of the year. A further call for Category 1 applications will take place in 2020.