590. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the up-to-date position with a project in County Kildare (details supplied); the expected completion date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38867/24]

The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) is a major programme of investment, established under the National Development Plan, to support large-scale, ambitious projects which can achieve sustainable economic and social development in rural areas.

The Fund was designed to deliver on the National Strategic Objective in the National Development Plan to Strengthen Rural Economies and Communities. RRDF directly supports the objectives of Our Rural Future, the Government’s five year strategy for rural development and Town Centre First policy which aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and revitalise town centres.

Calls for applications to the Fund 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 project referenced by the Deputy has been awarded €9.1 million in Category 1 RRDF funding to complete the 46km length of the Barrow Blueway between Athy and Lowtown. Kildare County Council has submitted a number of funding drawdown requests as work on the project has progressed and has advised that this project will be completed in 2025.