Peter Roche (Galway East, Fine Gael)

I thank the panel for their opening statements. I can only speak for myself, but when it comes to rural development and making a case to this committee, the witnesses are pushing an open door. In my previous role as a councillor, I was chair of Galway Rural Development, and we were all the time preaching and shouting about the lack of funding. I will always reference this, for what it is worth, because the funding model is something I take issue with. I am not suggesting for one second that I should be naming counties, but I will draw a comparison if that is okay. County Roscommon gets €97 LEADER funding per person. It is €76 in County Offaly, €64 in County Mayo and €53 in County Clare. Galway east gets €37 per person. As previous speakers have referenced, I see every day of the week the outstanding work going on in communities from that small investment and the wonderful rewards reaped as a consequence.

The witnesses referenced the local development companies. Their submission highlighted the success of the new arrivals fund. Would they anticipate or support its full integration into SICAP?