Anne Rabbitte (Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister, Minister of State and officials for attending the committee. I am coming off a high of good news, given that just last week, we managed to open the courthouse in Portumna with a significant investment of €2.9 million from the Department. It is important to point out that it was delivered on time and within budget. That was down to the collaboration between the Department and its officials and the local authority. It has taken a while for the local authorities to build up their teams and have the skill set that is required. I acknowledge and thank the Minister and Minister of State for that.

Needless to say, Portumna was not the only project afoot across Galway county. When projects come through the strategy and feasibility studies and work starts with local authorities, do we have a sufficient pipeline of funding to ensure that we can continue growing them? The likes of the Gort public realm and the purchase of the convent in Gort, which is being worked out with the local community, are seen as key enablers.

Regarding new projects coming on stream, the Minister referenced €60 million under RRDF funding. Is that an annual turnover? Does the Minister plan to see that budget growing? As good stories get told, more communities will get ambitious. More communities will see what potential is in their areas for bringing alive buildings that can speak to the arts and culture, protect the past and look to the coworking spaces of the present and future. Is there enough funding?

Rural transport is under the responsibility of the Minister of State. It is a key enabler, particularly in Galway. People in Cork will sometimes say that theirs is the second largest county, but we in Galway would say ours is the second largest county. We have great rural transport schemes, but we are missing the rapid charging of the electric vehicles, EVs, in rural areas. While there has been a great roll-out of EV charging throughout the country - I do not wish to take from that - but in rural areas like Portumna, Local Link has the Lough Rea route, the Ballinasloe route and another route that breaks county bounds and goes all the way to Nenagh in County Tipperary. We have good connections there, but the provider has an e-bus. Unfortunately, he has to depend on Supermac’s in Lough Rea to charge it. Is there a mechanism or conversation within the Department relating to where there is a hub with a number of routes being provided?