Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 106 together.

A vital part of my Department's mission is to support vibrant and sustainable communities across this country. My Department provides targeted investment and supports in both rural and urban communities, which enables rural regeneration, facilitates new working opportunities and fosters regional enterprise growth.

In 2022 my Department had a budget allocation of €379 million which supported rural and community development, including investment in infrastructure and initiatives assisting the retention and attraction of jobs throughout the regions. This is continuing this year with an increased allocation of €429 million. I can assure the Deputy that all my Department’s schemes are designed to support and contribute to urban and/or rural communities across the country.

This funding ensures that we are in a position to further assist communities throughout the country seeking funding and other supports for important local activities and projects.

We will continue to invest in and support communities across the country through our wide range of schemes such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, LEADER Programme, Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme, Town and Village Renewal Scheme, Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, Local Improvement Scheme, CLÁR Programme, Islands Capital Programme, Community Enhancement Programme, the Community Centre Investment Fund, Connected Hubs initiative, Libraries Investment Capital funding, PEACE IV Programme and the PEACE PLUS Programme.

All funding schemes operated by my Department are open to applications from eligible groups during the application timeframes set for each scheme or programme. Further information on all schemes and programmes, including details of successful applications, can be found on my Department's website www.drcd.gov.ie

With particular regard to communities in Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland, I am very pleased that my Department shares responsibility for the PEACE IV Programme and forthcoming PEACEPlus Programme. Both of these programmes support peace and reconciliation and promote the social and economic stability of all communities in this region. These programmes will continue to deliver significant improvements for all communities, with support and funding provided by my Department.

It is anticipated that the launch of the PEACE Plus programme will take place shortly with a value of over €1.1 billion. This new programme represents an opportunity to continue to fund peace building interventions alongside activities which help to make the region a more prosperous, healthier place to live through funding areas of mutual interest on a cross-border basis.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In line with the ‘Our Rural Future’, the Government’s Rural Development Policy for 2021-2025, I announced an allocation of €70 million for the Transitional LEADER Programme which came into effect in April 2021 for the period 2021-2022. Arrangements for a successor programme to come into effect this year are well advance.

The allocation for County Carlow for the transitional programme was €1.89 million.

To date, Carlow LAG has approved 18 transitional projects for a total of €1.48 million, Of the transitional project funding approved, €168,942 has been drawn by the project promoters to date.

The deadline for project approvals under the transitional programme was extended to the end of August 2023 to facilitate the full allocation of the funds available to the LAGs. All funding must be drawn down by end June 2024.

Table 1 below gives details of the approved transitional projects.

Table 1: Projects funded by Carlow LAG under the Transitional LEADER programme.