Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the delegation to the meeting. It gives us an opportunity to review current mechanisms for delivering for our rural communities. I especially welcome Dr. Cooke, whom I have known well for almost 30 years. He is from a neighbouring parish. He mentioned the resilience of the community he comes from and the passion and commitment in it. In addition, we heard about the initiative and volunteerism of Dr. Cooke and like-minded people in that area which have turned a small rural community that was declining in numbers into a vibrant community of which not only they but also the people of Waterford are proud. It is held up as a example of community and social enterprise on many fronts.

I attended the launch of his book, The Enterprising Community,and it offers examples around the country of communities helping themselves. It identifies the challenges they originally faced and analyses how they went about reinventing and reinvigorating their communities. It is a roadmap for a community to regenerate itself. Dr. Cooke acknowledged that the LEADER group assisted the Dunhill and associated communities in starting on that road, and I acknowledge the fabulous work that has been done for over 25 years in communities throughout the country. However, a number of challenges have been identified and this is where the committee can be beneficial to the work of those who made the presentations. The challenges must be identified to help communities unlock their full potential and identify ways they can help themselves.

There is great resilience in rural Ireland. We often hear the negative stories but the people who reside there are resilient, innovative and committed. We must find ways in officialdom, as policymakers, to assist these people to achieve their potential by exploiting whatever assets are available to them. The first asset is the people. The second is the natural assets that surround them, be they walkways, greenways, mountains or rural areas. We must identify ways to exploit natural assets and this where the strength of local LEADER groups comes in. I am aware of the work they do on the ground. They are aware of the enablers and the natural assets in their communities. Mr. O'Reilly identified problems where changes are required, whether that is funding, flexibility or identifying ways that communities can exploit their full potential.

Dr. Cooke mentioned that there is a lack of support for the CCJ, the voluntary network. Could he elaborate on what he means? Is it in terms of administration, financial support or recognition by those in authority - and I include in that the local, regional and national authorities? What does he mean by a lack of support? He has worked on a successful model that he wishes to roll out throughout the country and he is calling for further support to try to enable that. What types of support he has in mind in order that the committee can further analyse that? That would be a worthwhile exercise.

I have a question for the LEADER groups. They identified areas that we need to improve and how we can improve access to the various EU programmes, increase funding and so forth. We recognise that.

Why are some rural communities far more successful than others? That is probably a simple question but it goes to the root cause of success in various rural communities. Why are some communities so successful and why do others seriously struggle? What can we do, as policymakers, to assist the Irish Local Development Network in helping rural communities? What policy changes are required and what do we need to do to assist those communities?