Mark Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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1391. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the up-to-date position with a construction project in County Kildare (details supplied); the expected opening date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2488/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) is a strategic capital investment fund that is key to the delivery of Ireland's rural development policy, Our Rural Future.

Kildare County Council is the lead partner for the Shackleton Museum project. It has been awarded funding of just over €5.2 million under the RRDF. This project will transform the Athy Heritage Centre (former Town Hall) to become the Ernest Shackleton Museum, with Shackleton’s Cabin in place on site.

The Council has advised that the main building works, which include the glazed extension to the rear of the building and the renovation and upgrade of the existing building, are scheduled to be completed by the end of March 2025. This will then be followed by the necessary fit out. Preparation works relating to this are already underway off site and are scheduled to be completed by the end of May. The Council has further indicated that it expects the project to be opened during the Summer.

My officials will continue to engage with the County Council as to progress on the project.

Mark Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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1392. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the up-to-date position with a construction project in County Kildare (details supplied); the expected opening date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2489/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) is a strategic capital investment fund that is key to the delivery of Ireland's rural development policy, Our Rural Future. RRDF funding is made available under two categories. 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.

Kildare County Council is the lead partner for the Athy Food, Drink and Skills Innovation Hub. The project was allocated Category 2 RRDF funding of c. €312,000 in 2020 to develop plans for the restoration and redevelopment of Athy Model School, a protected structure.

Subsequently, further funding of just over €5.1 million was allocated in 2022 under RRDF Category 1 to substantially deliver the state of the art Food, Drink and Skills Innovation Hub that will provide a dedicated space for enterprise development, job creation and training in the region.

Kildare County Council has advised that construction works on the Food, Drink, & Skills Innovation Hub project is currently on schedule as per the procured Contractors construction programme. The Council project that the substantial completion date of the construction project will be September 2025.

My officials will continue to engage with the County Council as to progress on the project.