Grace O'Sullivan (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Canney. I am delighted he got his promotion and appointment.

What mechanisms does the Minister have to ensure that there is a balanced approach to regional funding? I am from the Waterford area and Dr. Senan Cooke was before the committee recently discussing the area made up of Dunhill, Fenor, Boatstrand and Annestown where funding was provided for social enterprise. The effect of what was done can be seen in that area but there is a need for continuing support. What does the Department do to ensure that development continues in circumstances where money has been spent on a project? The Waterford Greenway runs from Waterford to Dungarvan and has had an amazing impact on that area. What further support can be given to what is a positive development? When traction happens, how can the Department ensure that a project develops and moves forward?

An opportunity has been missed in the Dunmore East area of County Waterford. The latter is a fishing and tourist area. It is quite a distance from the greenway. Once upon a time, the fishing communities were the lifeblood of their areas but there is a lack of support for them now. What might the Minister do to support them?

How does the Minister ensure that all the regions get a fair crack of the whip in order that none is given an advantage over the others? How does his Department work with the others, particularly the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, to ensure that there is a holistic approach to the schemes in place for the region and that the Department of Rural and Community Development is not working in isolation? How does he ensure that there is a holistic approach to the use of taxpayers' money in order to ensure that rural communities can develop in the best way possible?