Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his presentation, which was of interest to rural Deputies. I congratulate Deputy Seán Canney on his appointment as Minister of State at the Department. I have known him since I was elected to the Dáil and he has a great interest in and understanding of rural communities. I echo the sentiments expressed by Senator Coffey regarding it being an excellent appointment. I look forward to working with the Minister of State.

The rural regeneration programme is of interest to any active rural Deputy. It is a difficult time in rural Ireland. Similar to Senator Coffey, I like to consider the glass half full, but sometimes it is difficult to do so. Eight businesses in west Cork closed in the past three weeks. The communities there contact me about such difficulties. I have recently been contacted regarding the credit union in Drimoleague, a local school in Goleen, a shop in Kilbrittain, a post office in Ballineen and another in Enniskeane, AXA insurance in Bantry, and Long’s shop in Timoleague. That is only the tip of the iceberg. Rural Ireland is haemorrhaging badly. I acknowledge that the Minister, Deputy Ring, always has his finger on the pulse in terms of where moneys should go, but people are being squeezed out of business which causes great difficulty in rural Ireland. I have sought to emphasise the importance of the rural regeneration programme and spent many hours asserting its priority in the programme for Government.

Many years ago, County Clare was a role model in how it delivered for its community. There is a housing problem in the bigger cities but the unfortunate situation we are left with is a shortage of people in rural towns and villages. There is plenty of available housing in villages and towns, such as in over the shop accommodation, and that should be utilised. The Minister referred to six towns chosen to participate in a pilot scheme. How can a local community apply to that scheme? Many communities wish to turn things around and bring more life to their community. How can we get deserted buildings in towns back into use and get people living in them?

There have been several funding applications to the rural regeneration and development fund, the deadline for which was 29 September. When will the Department announce when funding will be made available for those projects? As the Minister stated, some may be shovel ready and awaiting a final tick of the box by the Department to make funding available.

The walks scheme has been very successful in west Cork as in other parts of the country. At a time when farming and building in rural communities, which were the pillars that kept people in their communities, are in difficulty, many people have turned their attention to tourism. Although I acknowledge that money has been allocated to set up new walks, including funding for stiles and signage, farmers have not been compensated under the scheme for people walking on their land. I ask that this issue be concentrated upon. Of course, the foundation must be put in first. In many cases, however the foundation has been laid but farmers have not been compensated and are allowing access on goodwill. Although such goodwill is important initially, there needs to be a little more than that going forward because farmers need to consider the long-term viability of their farms, as many are doing. Some farmers have told me that they look on the walks scheme as a way to supplement their farm income. Some are willing to allow access out of goodwill for the first year or two of the scheme to get it off the ground. However, those in certain areas who have not been brought in under the scheme will consider it somewhat unfair if farmers in a neighbouring county or townland are being compensated. I ask the Minister to elaborate on that issue.

There is no questioning the success of the local improvements scheme. Of course, the problem is that only two or three of every 20 or 30 applications are allocated funding. The scheme as announced may seem well-resourced but many schemes are not getting funding. I ask the Minister to consider further funding for the local improvements scheme because it is very popular.

As I stated, tourism is a major issue. The rise in VAT from 9% to 13.5% will have serious implications for rural communities. Even up to this morning I have been getting phone calls on this from businesses that are struggling and will probably go out of business because of the change. However, that is another day's work.

The community services programme is of great benefit to the community and voluntary groups that access it. There is one issue-----