Maura Hopkins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his contributions thus far. I have a number of points to make and a number of questions to ask.

As the Minister will be aware, we were delighted to welcome him to Castlerea recently. I mention this in the light of the impact of programmes in category B and the achievement of value for money. The Department provided almost €1 million for the Beara-Breifne Way, a walking and cycling route from County Cork to County Cavan. It is important that we work across Departments and agencies. The provision of that funding is really important and we hope it will be a game changer in the development of the Ireland's Hidden Heartlands brand by Fáilte Ireland. On the day of the Minister's visit, I am sure the sense of commitment among community groups and volunteers and their pride in their area will have been more than obvious to him.

Another example we saw on that day was the provision of funding of €1.5 million for the food hub in Castlerea under the rural regeneration programme which has been really important in filling a gap in the market in terms of the lack of chefs. An Chistin which was initially provided with rural economic development zone, REDZ, funding has much larger ambitions to develop into a space to support people who want to set up businesses. It hopes to achieve these ambitions through the voluntary group, Roscommon County Council, the Roscommon LEADER partnership, and Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board. We know that overheads are high and will prove difficult for people in the sector to meet, but on the particular day that ambition was very obvious. LEADER programme funding has also been provided through Athleague Community Centre.

I want to mention the importance of another funding stream through the Department - CLÁR funding. While we talk about significant funding that is really important with which to deliver bigger projects, the impact of CLÁR funding in enhancing safety should be mentioned. We saw this on the particular day at Carrick national school, which is on the main road between Ballyhaunis and Castlerea which is an absolute death trap. The Department provided €50,000 to provide a new car park to take children away from the hard shoulder and provide a safe place in which to park for drop-off and collection. The CLÁR funding is extremely important and just one example. More than €240,000 was provided for projects in the county this year. It is, therefore, exceptionally important and I hope it will continue.

With reference to rural regeneration funding, the point the Minister made, that we should support the communities that need it most, is important. Many of the challenges facing County Roscommon also arise in the north of the county. Having seen Boyle, Castlerea, Ballaghaderreen and Tulsk all been supported with rural regeneration funding, I am satisfied that the funding is being used to support the communities that need it most.

I have two questions, one of which is about the walks scheme on which I receive a lot of calls seeking an update. It is really positive that the budget has been doubled, from €2 million to €4 million. An inspection with a view to including the Lung Valley within the Beara-Breifne way recently took place and went very well, but there is great anticipation and eagerness to have the area fall within the walks scheme. Obviously, the inclusion of walks has to be approved by the National Trails Office. I know that a process is under way, but will the Minister update us on when we are likely to hear the results in that regard?

My other question relates to the Western Development Commission, with which I know the Minister has been working closely. I met its CEO, Tomás Ó Síocháin, recently and understand more staff are being recruited. The commission is doing a significant amount of work, particularly on the Atlantic economic corridor and in encouraging working from home. It was involved in a successful digital working hub scheme in Tulsk. What is the Minister's view on how the commission can make further progress in developing and supporting communities in different areas?

I would like to comment on the TidyTowns competition. In watching "Nationwide" on the evening the results were announced it was great to see so many people proud of their communities. I absolutely agree with the Minister that some people could do with watching the programme, but it is dreadful to have to see volunteers having to pick up litter, as I do regularly, in bogs and along the sides of roads. TidyTowns does so much good work in instilling a sense of pride in place. It has also diversified so much in the context of further developments that have been supported with TidyTowns competition funding but also with funding under the town and village renewal scheme. In my home town of Ballaghaderreen funding under the town and village renewal scheme was used to paint many derelict buildings. The area has been given a great facelift and provided with a huge boost. TidyTowns competition funding is provided, but the town and village renewal scheme is also important in enhancing streetscapes, making us proud of the areas in which we live and encouraging tourists to visit them.

My questions were about the walks scheme and the Western Development Commission.

I thank the Minister for all of his work. As we heard in his opening statement, a great deal of work has been done to make the Department highly functional. That has not happened by accident. I am very aware of the impact of the many schemes which have been opened and reopened. The positive role they play in supporting volunteers, local authorities and local community groups is extremely evident. It was more than obvious during the Minister's recent visit to Castlerea. I thank the Minister again for his work.