Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I take the Senator's point on water and wastewater provision in towns. I have met Irish Water and highlighted to it that there are towns and villages which cannot develop. They are full up and they need to expand. It is something we have also raised with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. I have met Irish Water officials on this matter because it has been brought to my attention on a number of occasions.

We are also going to help local authorities to develop brownfield sites so that we have sites available for young people who want to live in towns and villages. This is something we want to do. Having said this, if the Senator looks at the plan, he will see very clearly that I have included the word "parish". We have towns, villages and parishes. We have not forgotten about the parishes because they are very important.

The Senator spoke about planning. I agree with him that we have to do this in a way that is balanced and sustainable. As I said to Deputy Ó Cuív, I am not for scattergun development. It is not right. However, we must have a sense of balance with local people coming back to live in their local communities, contributing to their local schools, local shops and local co-ops and we have to support that. I am happy to raise this matter with the various Departments and Ministers. I absolutely agree that we need to get the balance right and I am fully supportive of what Senator Wall and Deputy Ó Cuív have said.

The €70 million for the LEADER programme has been allocated and each company has received its allocation. The Senator mentioned the rural regeneration and development fund. While €243 million has been allocated, the good news is that there is a total of €1 billion so we have plenty more money. A total of €757 million is waiting to go out over the coming years on good projects. As I said, if people did not succeed the first time, they should consult the Department and look at the project to see where the weaknesses are and where improvements can be made. Sometimes people think if they do not get money from a particular fund, their project is no good and they have to give up. There are other streams of funding so a combination can be used. For example, if a project has an outdoor recreation element, it could obtain funding from that fund. A request for a greenway was made to the rural fund but it is more suitable to the Department of Transport. It is about getting the mix right. All I can say is that we will help.

The one-stop shop mentioned by Deputy Kerrane is being developed. It is a good idea and we will make it happen. It will take a wee while but we will do it.

With regard to town planners, I have seen that in the region of €50,000 funding has been being given to local authorities to put plans together for towns. There is no reason some of this money could not go towards paying somebody to help people prepare the plans. I believe I have answered all of Senator Wall's questions and I thank him.