Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent)
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21. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to ensure the viability and sustainability of towns and villages in rural Ireland that were built on floodplains and have been affected by recent and potentially future flooding; if there is targeted funding via the rural regeneration and development fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49611/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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It is important to note that the Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for major flood relief schemes. The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns villages and rural areas across Ireland.

Calls for applications to the RRDF are sought under two categories – Category 1 and Category 2. Category 1 relates to large scale ambitious capital projects with all necessary planning and other consents in place, and which are ready to proceed. Category 2 provides smaller grant funding to enable the development of project proposals suitable for future calls for Category 1 applications.

The projects approved for funding under the RRDF will support the planned and sustainable regeneration of rural towns and villages. Projects may include a number of elements including addressing vacancy and dereliction and promoting economic, tourism, community or cultural development. Applications are developed on the basis of identified local needs and priorities, and in previous rounds of the Fund projects have been approved for funding which included sustainable drainage as an element contributing to wider objectives for the town in question

I announced the fifth call for Category 1 RRDF applications on the 10th of November 2023. The closing date for applications is 12pm on the 8th February 2024.

The application process under the RRDF is competitive in nature and applications can be made by State-funded bodies i.e. Local Authorities, Local Development Companies, State agencies, other Government Departments etc. Lead parties to applications are encouraged to partner with other organisations, including communities, to put forward proposals. An application form and guidance document are available on my Department’s website for those seeking further information.