Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There are two good ideas here. I am giving serious consideration to one in circumstances where I have deputations every day on group water schemes. The Deputy is quite correct that a lot of these schemes were ready to go before the crash which did not then go ahead. On costs and the local contributions, Deputy Ó Cuív brought that scheme in a number of years ago. As such, there are a number of group water schemes which would not have been developed but for it. I have to look at water schemes and I have to look at small group sewerage schemes also. Because these schemes involve small numbers of people, the local contribution is a big one for them.

It is a big contribution but towns and cities do not have to make an overall contribution. The Deputy is right to suggest that I should start considering creating a scheme now that can roll on for the next few years because it will be a slow burner. It takes a while for group water schemes to get started. Some schemes await funding from the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment but they also need a bit of help with a top-up. The suggestion made by the Deputy is good and I will give it consideration.

The other scheme is bigger. The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport would have to consider it and start the ball rolling. As Deputies will know, the rural regeneration scheme is coming. My Department is having discussions with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and the Departments of Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform. We are analysing schemes such as the Leader programme as mentioned and try to learn from them. In terms of the western rail corridor, if the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, county councils and other State agencies are prepared to provide funding then, as Minister, I would consider the project. The lead Department is the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.