Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her presentation. I congratulate her and her officials for compiling an ambitious rural policy backed by all the party leaders in government. It is a clear policy of Government to revitalise rural Ireland. It builds on progress that has been made in the last years, especially with the establishment of a key fund such as the rural regeneration and development fund. We have done really well in recent years in County Clare. There is a significant project in Ennistymon, where a digital hub is being created. It has been a great success. We have seen significant progress in the redevelopment of Seaworld, Lahinch and the Vandeleur Walled Garden, Kilrush. Work is also in progress on the Loop Head lighthouse and the creation of a landmark facility in Holy Island in east Clare too. There is great progress.

On the rural regeneration development fund allocation made yesterday, 24 different projects nationally were awarded money. Unfortunately, Clare did not receive money in that round. I am especially disappointed that a project in Kilmihil did not receive money. This was for the third phase of its people's park project. That community organisation has been in existence for the past seven and a half years. It has made substantial ground. Its project was to develop a community hub and remote working hub in Kilmihil. It was valued at €1.6 million and it had €300,000 secured from the philanthropic trust, the Tomar Trust. Unfortunately, it did not receive money in this round. I spoke to the Minister about this in a personal capacity and I spoke with her officials. I hope that she could further engage and ensure that this project gets back on track. I look for her support with that.

On the development of plans for communities, I understand that there is a provision in Our Rural Future to give communities a chance to bid for money to develop community plans. Will the Minister outline the position in that regard? Will a particular scheme be launched where communities, through the local authorities, will be able to draw down money? I welcome the transitional money that has been provided to the LEADER companies. That is vital. I thank the Minister for reacting positively to my representations and those of this committee in that regard. The Minister might come back to me about the issue in Kilmihil.