Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We are coming to the end of the discussion on programme A and I have a few comments to make. I welcome the Minister's highlighting Tidy Towns groups which are among our greatest groups. The Minister's expression of thanks to them as a community initiative is most welcome, as is the financial support he has provided which is well received in communities. In County Clare, particularly Ennis, we have enjoyed huge success in the Tidy Towns competition and long may it continue. It is welcome that the Minister has published a schedule of schemes and communicated it to the CEOs of the various local authorities. I ask him to circulate it to the committee in order that we will know when the rolling schemes will open. It is a very welcome development that the Minister has reopened the rural development scheme. I note that we have received two tranches a year for the last couple of years. It is very welcome to receive this money, but one tranche provided earlier in the year might be better. Let the local authorities plan on that basis. The second tranche is received at the end of the year and while it is welcome, it puts pressure on the local authorities to have works done at what may not be the best time of year, namely, during the winter months. I propose that the Minister consider allocating one tranche and providing it earlier in the year.

I agree with Deputy Fitzmaurice on sewerage schemes. The Minister will be well aware of the representations I have made in that regard. In County Clare there were two applications made under sewerage scheme heading of the rural regeneration and development fund for schemes in Broadford and Cooraclare. Unfortunately, the schemes did not come through. There is a genuine need to put in place a proper programme to allow communities to realise their potential. A sewerage scheme in a small rural community is a basic service, but they cannot have it if the necessary funding or programme is not in place. I welcome the Minister's comments. Communities such those in Broadford, Carrigaholt, Cooraclare and Doolin in a thriving tourist area in north Clare do not have proper sewerage facilities and the prospects of having them without a programme are slim. I recognise the Minister's commitment and the interest he has expressed in working with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government in that regard. The director of services for County Clare met officials of that Department and I had hoped some progress would be made as a result. I recognise the Minister's commitment to put together a scheme in conjunction with Irish Water, the local authorities and the communities that will work for them.

I compliment the Minister on his involvement in putting together a rural regeneration and development fund. It is a groundbreaking initiative which will unlock the potential of communities across the country. County Clare benefited immensely in the last round of funding in which it received €7.5 million. Deputies Ó Cuív and Fitzmaurice said the money is not getting into rural areas, but I can say it is. The locations around Lough Derg, Mountshannon and Holy Island in County Clare are to benefit from an injection of nearly €1 million. The plan is to establish east Clare as a tourism area, which is very welcome. It comes in conjunction with the €500,000 given to further develop the blueway along Lough Derg. In this instance we see an example of how one scheme can complement another, which is very welcome.

We have seen an injection of money into Loop Head in west Clare. Lahinch Seaworld has received €2.7 million. The Irish Open golf tournament is happening in Lahinch this year, and I would welcome everyone down to County Clare to see what a spectacle they are going to put on. That is very welcome news. The Vandeleur walled garden is another initiative in west Clare. Last year, Ennistymon got an allocation of €1 million for the development of a digital hub. We are doing very well in Clare in terms of the rural regeneration programme. I encourage the Minister to continue that work and that allocation. He might come back to me on a few of the points I have raised.