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

I thank the Deputy. I will keep fighting and I know I will have the support of the Deputy and other rural Deputies as well as Deputies from across the House because this scheme makes a difference and has an impact.

I have €2 million for towns that are providing plans. That is important too because we need a joined-up approach. Working with local authorities, this funding will be used to examine how we will get people back living in the bigger towns and how we will revitalise them. Westport is one of the most successful towns in Ireland. We often say it is a fantastic place. Many years ago, Westport got a plan. Sometimes people ask why we need another plan. These plans are important because a plan joins up the different organisations and gets everybody on the one page. When we have a focus, we always get there. Funding will always be made available to good projects. When I came into politics someone told me not to worry about the money because good projects always get funded. That is the truth. Fair play to the Deputy for what he is doing in Kerry.

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