4133. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he can assist the Killarney Innovation Centre with funding for an important project in County Kerry (details supplied); and will the Minister make a statement on the matter. [61083/26]

Administered by my Department, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) is a major capital investment programme which seeks to support large-scale, ambitious projects which can achieve sustainable economic and social development in rural areas. The focus of the RRDF is on rural towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000 people.

RRDF funding is allocated to local authorities and other State-funded bodies, who take a 'Lead Body' role in individual projects. While community organisations, voluntary groups or other civil society bodies cannot act as a Lead Body to an application, they can seek to partner with a State-funded body, which would be in a position to assume the Lead Body role. Typically, this involves a community organisation, that is seeking to bring a project proposal forward, engaging with a local authority who, subject to the scheme's eligibility criteria and the Council's own strategic priorities, would then shortlist any preferred applications it may wish to make under the scheme.

The most recent RRDF Call for Proposals for Category was opened in February last and closed on 28 July. The Call had a focus on strategically important, large-scale projects that are ready to commence and have full planning and other consents in place.

Assessment of RRDF applications is undertaken on a competitive basis and is ongoing. I can confirm that an application for funding was received in connection with the project referred to by the Deputy. Following the assessment of applications, it is anticipated an announcement of successful projects will be made before the end of this year.