Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the House for the opportunity this evening to speak about the excellent work being done by my Department and some of our plans to further our mission to promote rural and community development and support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland. I also look forward to hearing the views and observations of colleagues this evening, which may further inform our work.

This July marks two years since the establishment of the Department of Rural and Community Development and I acknowledge the commitment shown by many officials who have worked through many challenges associated with setting up a new Department. My Department has delivered for communities and rural areas through a wide range of programmes and projects. I am determined that we will continue this progress in 2019 and that the increased budget allocation of €291 million, an increase of 26% for the Department for this year, is put to the best use and continues to support communities across the country. In addition to the direct support delivered by my Department, it plays a vital role with regard to overall supports for rural Ireland. The progress report on the Action Plan for Rural Development demonstrated clearly what has been achieved to assist rural Ireland to continue to play a significant part in the economic and social fabric of this country. Our sense of community across the country is what makes this country what it is. The establishment of my Department was an important step in strengthening Government support for this area. Since then, Project Ireland 2040 has built further on that support. It recognises the economic and social importance of rural Ireland and the critical role of our communities in ensuring a good quality of life for all.

I share the views on Deputies on all sides of this House that our rural towns and villages are facing challenges brought about by economic and social change, and by potential shocks from issues such as Brexit. I also share the desire to help to address those challenges. It is vital that we continue to build resilient rural communities and that we make our towns and villages vibrant places to live and work.

Strengthening rural economies and our communities is a core objective of Project Ireland 2040, with the provision of €1 billion to the rural regeneration and development fund ensuring that the funding is there to deliver on that objective in the coming years. The fund aims to support ambitious projects that can drive the economic and social development of rural towns and villages and their surrounding areas. The first call for applications was in July 2018 and 280 applications were received. Following the assessment process, some 84 successful projects have been allocated €86 million in funding. This will be leveraged with a further €31 million in matched funding, representing a total of €117 million in capital investment across rural Ireland.

The types of projects funded are targeted at sectors where they can have the greatest economic and social impact. For example, €13.6 million will be invested in a national mountain bike project that will develop recreational facilities in four locations across seven counties. In addition, €5.5 million will be invested in Athenry in County Galway to assist in developing the town into a major food and tourism centre. Investments such as these will transform many rural towns, villages and outlying areas by delivering projects in sectors such as tourism, agriculture, food and recreation. I expect a second call for applications under the rural regeneration scheme fund to be launched shortly.

While the rural regeneration and development fund is very important for the further development of rural Ireland, I also remain focused on ensuring the continued success of our existing rural schemes and programmes. It is important that funding schemes and programmes provide a coherent approach to supporting rural Ireland and our communities. As well as focusing on large-scale projects through the rural regeneration scheme, we will continue to support smaller projects and groups throughout Ireland. Such projects can have a significant impact for local areas and communities. The funding provided through the rural regeneration and development fund supplements the existing schemes funded through the Department.

The town and village scheme is an important part of the Government's work to rejuvenate rural Ireland and is having a significant impact on towns and villages across the country. The benefit of previous funding under the town and village renewal scheme is now being felt countrywide. Since it was introduced in the second half of 2016, almost €53 million has been approved for more than 670 projects across the country. I expect the allocation of €15 million in 2019 to support more than 200 new town and village renewal projects.

My Department has introduced a pilot scheme, the town centre living initiative, in six towns across the country. This scheme will see engagement with communities and local businesses to identify practical solutions to increase the number of people living in rural towns. I expect to receive reports on the pilot in the first half of the year. It is hoped that the learning from these pilot schemes may provide an indication as to what might work well for similar towns on a wider scale.

Other schemes include the local improvement scheme, LIS, which supports investment in non-public roads to enable people to access their homes and farms. The €10 million allocation for 2019 will bring the amount invested in LIS to more than €47 million since I reintroduced the scheme in September 2017.

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