Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Courtown and Riverchapel are receiving €197,000, Fethard, €82,000, and Askamore, €63,999. There are many other such areas right across the country.

When Opposition Members are talking about the decline of rural Ireland, I ask them to look deep into their hearts and recall whether previous Governments were able to announce such funding to small villages and parishes right around the country. The moneys I refer to are being allocated in parallel with the sports capital grants. I was delighted on Sunday morning to be in Blackwater where the Government invested well over €100,000 in the local GAA club for the good of the youth of the parish. There are many other examples right across the country.

Somebody referred to the flood relief schemes. This Government has delivered more money for flood relief than every other Government put together. I commend the Minister of State, Deputy Moran, on the job he is doing on flood relief. A huge amount of groundwork has to be done. In my town, Enniscorthy, well over €40 million has been provided for flood relief. We have been waiting on this not only for years but for generations. It is delightful to see that a scheme will start shortly.

There has been investment in agriculture. This is so important to our economy. Agriculture was important during the lean years of the recession. That has been acknowledged. There is also an investment in third level education. I am looking forward to seeing the technological university in the south east when the institutes of technology of Carlow and Waterford come together.

There are many other areas I would like to address but time is against me. I am passionate about the issues referred to. The Government has delivered in respect of them.

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