Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent)
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75. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on all current National Development Plan 2021-2030 projects under her Department being progressed in County Louth, including the current status of each project and the planned completion date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3827/24]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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The National Development Plan (NDP) has set out funding envelopes for my Department that have allowed significant and sustained capital funding for rural and community development throughout the country, with capital expenditure of €213 million achieved in 2023.

As detailed in the NDP, the key rural development schemes are the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, LEADER, Town and Village Renewal, the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, CLÁR and the Local Improvement Scheme. These have been supplemented by new schemes to address particular emerging demands, in particular the Community Centre Investment Fund and, more recently, the Community Recognition Fund.

Since 2021, my Department has allocated almost €23.5 million in capital funding to County Louth through the NDP funding envelopes. Specific examples of funding for County Louth include:

• Funding of €276,079 since 2021 under ORIS for five projects all of which have been completed. These projects include the Louth Blue Flag Beach Accessibility Project and the Carlingford Omeath Greenway Enhancement Project.
• Funding of €422,764 allocated in 2023 under the Local Improvement Scheme for improvements to 10 non-public roads. All projects were completed and a total of €415,741 was drawn down, leaving a saving of €7,022.32.
• Finally, the Community Centre Investment Fund has approved funding of €928,206 for 21 projects and the Community Recognition Fund has approved funding of €1.56 million for 11 projects in 2023.