Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am aware of these matters, being from the northern and western region, as is the Deputy. I have met with the Northern and Western Regional Assembly on two occasions in recent months, most recently at the end of July in Ballaghaderreen. I heard first-hand of its concerns about the new European regional development fund, ERDF, funding and how important it is that it should get the opportunity to administer it, as it did in the past. I have passed those concerns on to my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Michael McGrath.

I want to point out that there has been considerable investment in the region. The national broadband plan represents an investment of €656 million in the northern and western region, and the scale of the Government's commitment to balanced regional development is exemplified by the national development plan and the national planning framework, which will deliver an estimated €116 billion in public investment through several targeted funds over the lifespan of those funds. The rural regeneration and development fund supports renewal for suitable towns, and €22.3 million has been invested in the north west through that fund.

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