Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy mentioned the outdoor recreation scheme and the town and village scheme, which have all worked very well.

I must be careful that other Departments do not see this as a mechanism to allow them not to do what they should be doing. Deputy Neville is correct: I need to get my Department to act. I have asked my officials to meet with other Departments. I am already aware that some Departments are telling groups to go to the Department of Rural and Community Development because it has the funding, even though they are the ones that have the direct funding. I do not want that situation to arise. I do not mind supplementing schemes. An issue that was raised on the previous Question Time and to which the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, referred a moment ago, is the wonderful job group water schemes do for rural communities. One of the difficulties is that a small number of people are involved and they must make a big contribution. I must examine how I can support them on foot of their contribution but what I do not want to see happening is the Department of the Communications, Climate Action and Environment or local authorities increasing their charges and taking the money from my Department. This money must go into rural areas.

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