Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 74 and 81 together.

As Minister with responsibility for rural and community development, my primary focus is to support the creation of vibrant and sustainable communities across the country. This can be achieved through the implementation of programmes and initiatives that facilitate economic development through the creation of jobs and the infrastructure required to support these jobs and to support our communities to become and remain desirable places to live, work and raise families.

Through Project Ireland 2040 and the national development plan, the Government will be providing investment of almost €116 billion over the next decade, much of which will be invested in the regions, including €1 billion through the rural regeneration and development fund.

Project Ireland 2040 will help breathe new life into communities across the country, providing access to recreational and leisure facilities, by increasing the attractiveness of communities to visitors and, most importantly, by supporting job creation and employment for people who live in rural areas.

My Department has also been working to achieve these objectives through a number of existing schemes and programmes, such as LEADER, CLÁR, the town and village renewal scheme, the local improvement scheme, the outdoor recreation scheme, the social inclusion and community activation programme and the community enhancement programme. These have delivered funding and supports to numerous small and large-scale projects and my Department looks forward to continuing to operate other programmes, including the rural regeneration and development fund in the future.

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