Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As the committee is aware, rural development is a key priority in the programme for a partnership Government. There are more than 80 commitments in the programme for Government for delivery across a range of Departments and agencies, which will have a positive impact on rural Ireland. My Department has been tasked with providing greater co-ordination and prioritisation of the work across Government in areas that impact on rural Ireland.

My Department is also directly responsible for the delivery of a number of programmes and initiatives to support rural development. In this context, my Department's Vote includes €61.2 million under programme E for regional development and rural affairs. Of this, €58.2 million or 95% of the total relates to direct programme expenditure, with the balance covering pay and non-pay administration costs. Total gross expenditure for programme E up to 30 June 2016 was €8.694 million, which accounts for 15% of the 2016 allocation. By 31 August 2016, the figure had increased to €10.71 million or 18.5% of the 2016 allocation programme.

Since I last met the committee on the 2016 Estimates, I have established a new division for regional and rural affairs in the Department and announced a number of initiatives which were committed to in A Programme for a Partnership Government to support rural development. These include the launch of the 2014-20 Leader programme, which has a budgetary allocation of €250 million over its lifetime; the launch of the town and village renewal scheme with funding of €10 million for 2016; the launch of a new round of the rural economic development zone, REDZ, initiative with €5 million available for the scheme this year; a new round of rural recreation project funding, with total approvals of €4.5 million to 75 projects nationwide; and the establishment of a national task force to identify practical measures which can be taken in the short term to improve access to broadband and mobile telephone reception in rural areas. My Department is working closely with local authorities to prepare for the roll-out of broadband under the national broadband plan when contracts are awarded in 2017.

While these initiatives individually will make a contribution to rural development, it is their combined impact, along with other initiatives across government, which will make a real and sustainable difference to rural areas. To ensure a more integrated approach to rural development across government, my Department has commenced work on preparing an action plan for rural development. The action plan will act as an overarching structure for the co-ordination and implementation of initiatives across government to support economic and social progress in rural areas. I have arranged an information session on the action plan for Members of the Oireachtas in Leinster House tomorrow at 9 a.m.