Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her response. We certainly see the benefits of the many schemes that she has rolled out through her Department. Many rural towns and villages really benefit and seek solutions from these successful funding programmes to address challenges that they face, whether limited employment opportunities, a decline in population or the lack of essential services and amenities.

Certainly we are putting funds in place that are having enormous benefits and are a real game-changer in rural Ireland in supporting local communities with projects to enhance the social, economic and environmental well-being of these areas, creating as the Minister said previously, more vibrant, attractive and sustainable places for people to live and work. What changes are being made, possibly to streamline the application process? We need to get communities more involved and engaged in these types of applications. It can be quite complex and time-consuming at times and maybe it could be a deterrent for many communities which do not have that level of expertise. I ask that maybe we show some flexibility in the application process.

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