416. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether Galway City Council has drawn-down funding provided through call two of the urban regeneration and development fund for the development of an innovation and creativity district designed to build deep structural links between the city, academia, research, innovators and industry comprising of four projects (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53443/26]

On 5 March last, I announced a new Towns and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund which, while replacing the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), will continue to build on its success to date and apply many of the key criteria established by Government in 2018 for the URDF. The new Fund will continue to support urban regeneration projects and the development of sustainable communities through the provision of part-funding for applicant-led projects. In doing so, it will significantly contribute to the regeneration and rejuvenation of Ireland’s cities and other large towns, in line with the objectives of the National Planning Framework and the National Development Plan.

Earlier this year, the new Fund was open for applications for two categories of funding. Category 1A funding will create a pipeline of future projects for delivery whereas Category 1B is focussed on capital projects that can deliver within the short to medium term. The assessment process for these applications is expected to be completed later in the summer

To date, there have been three calls for funding provided under the URDF which has resulted in the allocation of €1.9 billion of funding, with URDF supported projects active in every local authority area in the Country.

While responsibility for the advancement of these projects through the various stages of the project lifecycle is a matter for relevant local authorities, my Department continues to work closely with them in respect of project development. In that context, my Department has been engaging with Galway City Council on a review of its existing projects already approved under Calls 1 and 2. This review is being carried out with a view to maximising the funding available within the lifetime of the programme, thereby ensuring the timely delivery of these transformative projects.

Galway City's Innovation and Creativity District Proposal is a URDF Call 2 project which supports the strategic enabling and development of a masterplan or vision plan incorporating a project charter/brief, business assessment and a dedicated delivery design team to develop the comprehensive master plan.

Subject to the outcome of the review outlined above, the proposal has an approved allocation of €4,366,893, inclusive of €66,893 in resource funding which was approved in November 2025. €981,303 of funding has been drawn down for this proposal to-date.