Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I did not interrupt the Deputy. He also mentioned my Department and welcomed some of the schemes we have put in place. He has given me an opportunity to put information relating to those schemes on record. Many people complain about the LEADER programme, but 1,300 projects have already been approved under it, to the value of €43.4 million, including a further €5.6 million in approvals being processed at the moment. The town and village renewal scheme is tremendous and has given many towns in Kerry and elsewhere a lift. We have approved funding of €53 million for 675 projects since 2016 under that scheme.

The Deputy knows the importance of the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme. Walk schemes are in operation throughout the country. I know there is a bit of difficulty with the scheme in Kerry, but it will be resolved because there are plenty of business people there who know what the walks and the greenway mean to Kerry and the rest of the country. We have invested €23 million in 500 projects since 2016.

I know the Deputy likes the CLÁR programme because he has contacted me many times about issues relating to Kerry. We dealt with all of those issues, including those relating to schools, rapid response, ambulances and tidy towns. The CLÁR programme has been funded to the tune of €25 million to date and has activated 1,200 projects since 2016.

The Deputy's favourite scheme is the local improvement scheme. This Government brought that scheme back. To date, €28.2 million has been invested in it. I am looking at what I can do with that money before the end of the year. Some 1,100 roads have been tarred or upgraded thanks to that scheme.

The social inclusion and community activation programme, SICAP, was launched again a few weeks ago. It will invest €190 million between 2018 and 2022. That programme targets disadvantaged areas and disadvantage itself on a one-to-one basis. Many people who were in SICAP are now working and some are even employing others. The scheme is targeted at areas that need it.

The community enhancement programme has benefited many towns, villages and communities. In 2018 alone, €12.5 million has been allocated to that scheme. The community services programme has invested €44 million this year. It helps 400 organisations in this country. It is a great scheme.

I was delighted to provide funding for the senior alert scheme. In 2018 alone, €10.5 million has been invested in the scheme. Some 13,000 people have personal alarms now and can feel safe in their homes. They have pendants and if they want to call An Garda Síochána, a neighbour or anyone else, they can do so. I put that scheme in place and made sure, along with Pobal, that it was well advertised. There are 13,000 people around the country who are availing of that scheme.

My Department has also taken a new library initiative which has provided €8 million for digital services and facilities this year. Every library around the country was grant aided. I have extra funding for libraries this year as well, because I believe they are very important.

My Department has also provided €1.4 million for the Tidy Towns initiative. Every Tidy Towns committee received funding because they are tremendous voluntary organisations which deserve to be supported.

Funding has also been provided for agriculture shows. I want to keep the shows alive. I want to keep rural Ireland alive and these shows illustrate what is good in rural Ireland. I was delighted to be able to provide €800,000 for shows in 2017 and €600,000 this year for that scheme.

The walk scheme is already funding 39 trails and continues this year. Some 1,900 people are participating in that walk scheme at a cost of almost €2 million. I have got an extra €2 million this year so we will be able to double that scheme. Men's Sheds is a great organisation that I wanted to support. I am delighted to be able to give it €500,000. It works with and supports the community and is certainly worthy of support.

My own budget this year will have a €62 million increase. That is a 27.5% increase. We are going to spend €55 million on the town and village renewal scheme and €1 billion on the rural regeneration scheme. We already have more than 250 applications for it. That scheme is closed now. We intend to have allocations between November and December. That scheme will help regenerate rural Ireland.

I listen to people talking about this Government's commitment to rural Ireland on a daily basis. This Government is committed to rural Ireland. It is putting its money where its mouth is and people are responding all over the country. They tell me they want more funding for the town and village renewal scheme and all the others, but they are very happy with the funding rural Ireland is receiving.

How much time do I have?

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