4140. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to support a Category 1 Rural Regeneration Development Funding application in respect of a proposed arts centre (details supplied) with Kerry County Council acting as lead partner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60409/26]

4167. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to expedite RRDF for projects (details supplied) and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63229/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 4140 and 4167 together.

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.

In October of 2025, I announced successful projects following a Category 2 Call for Proposals, where over €20.5 million in RRDF funding was allocated to 30 projects located across the country. This included €933,000 awarded to Kerry County Council to prepare designs and architectural plans for refurbishing and extending the former Phoenix cinema.

I subsequently opened a Call for Proposals for Category 1 applications in February 2026. This Call closed on 28 July 2026 and has a focus on strategically important, large-scale projects that are ready to commence and have full planning and other consents in place.

The RRDF process to assess application received under that Call for Proposals 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.