Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

In light of what has been happening in the past couple of days, I wish to raise the issue of the regions and regional development. A lot of businesses are suffering right across the country as a result of the pandemic. There are two areas I wish to discuss.

Since it was first introduced, the LEADER programme has brought a huge amount of positivity to the regions in economic enterprise, job creation and the provision for community groups to be able to access funding for important activities in their areas. We have seen at first-hand how the local action groups have really garnered all of this money and made sure it is spent in a good way. I understand that the CAP talks have been agreed and now the rural development fund needs to be put in place. I accept that the Government has put in place a transition fund for this year and next year. Will the Taoiseach clarify if this fund can be increased for 2022 so we can meet the demand by the communities that look for this funding, and for the enterprise it will create?

An issue brought to my attention this morning is that today the temporary assistance payment scheme, TAPS, for nursing homes, many of which are family-run and based in regional areas, is to cease today. Will the Government consider extending this support scheme, which has been very good to these family-run nursing homes, in line with what the UK has done and in view of how aggressive the Delta variant is? The Taoiseach stated earlier that Nicola Sturgeon said it would cut through the country. Nursing homes have had a very serious time in trying to deal with Covid. The scheme is regional based and means jobs in family-run businesses in local areas. I ask the Taoiseach to comment.

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