4119. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht for a detailed progress report in regards to the RRDF scheme for Cahersiveen town in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59591/26]

The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) is a major capital investment programme, which seeks to support large-scale, ambitious projects that can achieve sustainable economic and social development in rural areas. It provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns and villages in rural areas across Ireland. Funding is allocated to local authorities and other State-funded bodies, who take the lead role in individual projects.

Responsibility for the management, procurement and delivery of RRDF projects rests with designated ‘Lead Bodies'. This includes Kerry County Council, which has been allocated over €8.5m in respect of two linked RRDF projects in Cahersiveen.

Kerry County Council is the Lead Body for the Cahersiveen Town Regeneration Project (Phase 1) which, in 2022, was awarded Category 2 RRDF funding of €2.056m. This project, enabled design development to progress across several key elements of the project, including the Carnegie Building, the Waterfront and Boardwalk Amenity Scheme, and Fair Green (Fairfield). As part of the project the necessary Part 8 planning approval was secured and land acquired to facilitate delivery of the Waterfront and Boardwalk Amenity Scheme.

In 2024, having secured planning and with detailed designs substantially complete, Phase 2 of the Cahersiveen Town Regeneration Project was allocated Category 1 RRDF funding of €6.46m. In relation to this project, Kerry County Council has confirmed that construction has commenced on the Carnegie Building and is progressing at pace, with the foundations and substructure now in place. A construction contract has also been awarded for the Waterfront and Boardwalk Amenity Scheme, with mobilisation to site imminent.

I am committed to ensuring that the substantial investment provided by my department across rural Ireland can continue to support high quality and transformational projects in line with the objectives of Our Rural Future and the Town Centre First policy.