Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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97. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development when another round of funding for the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund will be announced; if projects which were previously unsuccessful will be allowed re-submit, such as the Dunshaughlin courthouse and town centre project in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14099/25]

Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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110. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development to confirm that the funds for the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund are fully allocated; when funding will be available again since the fund is part of the Project Ireland 2040 programme; if an alternative funding stream will be provided to replace the fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12130/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 110 together.

Administered by my Department, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) is a major programme which seeks to support large-scale, ambitious projects which can achieve sustainable economic and social development in rural areas.

To date, the RRDF has allocated €588 million for 243 projects across Ireland. The Programme for Government recognises the importance of investing in our rural towns and villages through schemes such as the RRDF, and contains a commitment to increase the fund.

RRDF applications are assessed on a competitive basis, and calls for applications under are sought under two categories, Category 1 and Category 2.

Category 1 relates to larger 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.

There is no scheme condition in place that precludes the submission of an application that was previously deemed unsuccessful under a previous call.

The 4th Call for Category 2 applications was launched in October 2024 and typically provides funding of up to €1m per project. The closing date for applications under this Call was the 14 March.

Following a review of applications, I anticipate an announcement of successful applications will be made in Quarter 3 this year.

In relation to Category 1 RRDF funding, it is my intention that a Call for Proposals would be opened towards the end of this year.

I am committed to ensuring that the RRDF can continue to support high quality and transformational projects across rural Ireland in line with the objectives of Our Rural Future.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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98. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will provide an update on a project (details supplied) in Kells, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10173/25]

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

Meath County Council is the lead partner for the Kells Creative Placemaking (Phase 1) project. The project has been allocated over €1.5 million under the RRDF.

This project includes the extensive conservation and repairs to the former sawmills in Kells, encompassing a commercial letterpress workshop, operating Victorian machines and historical archives. Kells Print Works will form a new Centre for Typography.

I am also advised that Kells Print Works will partner with national educational institutions in the delivery of professional skills based training, and also with Boyne Valley Tourism in the development of a cohesive tourism product.

I understand that the historical print presses have now been fully restored and are in awaiting placement in the Kells Printworks. Meath County Council has advised my officials that the Print Works building is nearing completion and it is the Council’s intention that the building will be completed, and the centre opened to the public this summer.