SERVICES
The Urban (URDF) and Rural (RRDF) Regeneration Funds were established under the National Development Plan to support the objectives of the National Planning Framework. The Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) supports urban regeneration/compact urban growth in cities/towns with a population of over 10,000, and enables a greater proportion of residential and mixed used development to be delivered within the existing built-up footprints of our cities and towns and make them more attractive and vibrant places.
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) supports the regeneration and development of rural towns, villages and outlying areas. The purpose is to support job creation in rural areas, address de-population of rural communities and support improvements in our towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000.
The Urban and Rural Regeneration Funds were established in support of more compact and sustainable development, through the regeneration and rejuvenation of Ireland’s cities, towns and villages, and National Development Plan. This is to enable a greater proportion of residential and mixed-use development to be delivered within the existing built-up footprints of our cities and towns and to ensure that more parts of our urban areas can become attractive and vibrant places in which people choose to live and work, as well as to invest and to visit.
Under URDF, public bodies are receiving targeted support for innovative and holistic solutions to the issues that have hindered the regeneration and rejuvenation of our large towns and cities. Following calls for proposals in 2018 and 2020, the URDF is currently providing assistance for 132 proposals which comprise almost 400 sub projects all across the country.
In addition to the URDF and RRDF there are a wide range of key policies currently place which support the regeneration, development and renewal of towns and their environs.
URDF Call 1 and Call 2 Funding
Within County Monaghan The following projects are being supported by URDF Calls 1 and 2:
- Dublin Street Regeneration North and South Schemes
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/18326060721941d1af2e0b9fbc443495
URDF Call 3 Funding
Monaghan County Council received confirmation in August 2023 that we have been approved under the above funding stream for a programme to the value of €1.5m.
Distinct from previous URDF funding calls, the third round of funding support will act as a dedicated revolving fund designed to address the financial barrier and risk faced by local authorities in seeking to address long term vacant and derelict properties across their URDF towns and cities. This funding is being made available for local authorities to acquire long term vacant or derelict properties for onward sale or re-use. The Revolving URDF Fund will be replenished from the proceeds received from the sale or reuse of properties and sites, allowing a local authority to establish a rolling programme of acquisitions to tackle long term vacancy and dereliction.
The Council submitted initially list of 17 potential properties to the Department for consideration under this URDF Call. 5 additional properties were approved for inclusion in the programme in November 2023 and 13 were approved in July 2024 totalling 35 properties. The funding which has been secured will now be utilised for acquiring these properties for onward sale on the open market.
The Town Regeneration team have begun engaging with the owners to either – voluntarily acquire the property or where possible to assist the owner in bringing the property back in to use themselves, or where necessary, such as where a property is unregistered or engagement with the owner is not possible, to acquire the property compulsorily.
These properties are not being targeted with a view to retaining them as Local Authority stock for use as Social Housing. This is a very important funding stream and programme that is being made available to Local Authorities to further assist in tackling the existing housing crisis outside of our normal role as a Housing Authority.