1519. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if an application (details supplied) will be reviewed and an update provided. [64703/26]

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.

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 €664,700 awarded to Monaghan County Council to support project development measures for the Clones Community Hub & Public Realm, St. Tiarnach’s Quarter Regeneration Project.

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 by the end of this year.