Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Community groups are better prepared these days. That the Minister is opening schemes earlier in the year is positive and to be welcomed. He stated that he would open the rural recreation and town and village renewal schemes at the end of this week. I agree with Deputy Ó Cuív about trying to broaden CLÁR. Perhaps the Minister could engage in a consultation process with the public and community groups on how to broaden CLÁR, group sewerage schemes and group water schemes. For example, someone contacted me this week who had an issue with crossing cattle over a road. The road is not a new development, so he is not eligible for funding. If it were a new road, he would have been provided with an underpass. If those cattle did not have to be on that road every day, the potential for an accident would be reduced. Surely something like that should be eligible for CLÁR funding.

I compliment the Minister on forming his Department and on putting these schemes together and announcing them earlier in the year.