Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

We had a discussion on this with an Teachta McGuinness in our first question. We will work with the Minister, Deputy James Browne, on a range of initiatives on rural housing and increasing supply through local authorities, which have been asked to supply more land through the vacant homes scheme, which is opening up closed-up communities in many rural areas. In May 2024, my Department announced €164 million in funding for regenerating rural communities the length and breadth of Ireland and €20 million for the town and village renewal scheme. That is investment that is going into communities as we speak, including the smallest communities. Some €100 million through the community recognition fund is supporting many GAA clubs in improving the quality of their facilities.

The Deputy spoke about remote working. We are supporting broadband connection points across the country, a major investment on the part of my Department in addition to the national broadband funding. Through Roinn na Gaeltachta, táimid ag cuidiú leis an údarás chun na haonaid Gteic a bhunú, the specific broadband hubs for Celtic areas, Gteic.

There is a huge range of initiatives to invest in facilities. We have very much turned the corner on what the Deputy called austerity cuts by investing in rural communities. We are making major capital investments and increasing facilities. I am very focused on housing in rural communities as well.

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