Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

That is what was proposed by the Minister, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, in his remarks on the budget. I look forward to debating this with the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív. The closure of many hospitals in regional Ireland sends out the wrong message because patients must now travel farther to gain access to basic medical facilities. Senator MacSharry refers in this House day after day to cancer services in the north west.

The rate of unemployment has increased since the Government came into office. Rural areas have been particularly hit. Ballybofey in County Donegal has had an increase of 107% in unemployment; Carrickmacross in County Monaghan, 99%, Kenmare in County Kerry,110%; and my own county, Cork, has had a 53% increase in people signing on. We see nothing but cutting back in the budget. It is not a budget of renewal that rewards enterprise and promotes rural Ireland.

As the Minister knows, agriculture was and is a major component of rural Irish life. It has provided substantial employment and one hopes it will continue to do so. Many commitments made to agriculture in the programme for Government have not been met. At the first sign of fiscal trouble there are cutbacks for rural life and the disadvantaged areas, early retirement, young farmer, installation aid and farm investment schemes have been reduced. The IFA produced a document which shows the numbers of people affected.

Where is the programme for Government now? Will the Minister, as stated in that programme: "implement proposals for a Community Development Plan which will deliver community facilities such as playgrounds, community centres, local markets, recycling and sports recreation facilities throughout the country". That was to be the plan over a five-year period. Where is that plan now? Is it all contained in the Minister's plan today? Is that it?

I have questions regarding matching funding in the scheme. If, for example, a community centre receives an allocation from Pobal or from Leader, is it allowed to receive funding from another source or must it be funded from only one source? Can we not have matching funding given to community groups that will allow them to bring projects to fruition? From having spoken to some groups in recent days since the Minister announced this plan, I know they have an issue regarding matching funding. Is there a plan for the drawing down of moneys in the first year? Is there a cap on the amount that can be drawn down by groups in the same year? If that is the case, what is the logic behind it? In fairness, I know we must encourage groups to spend and I am involved in a sporting club that received capital funding from the lottery sports programme. Perhaps the Minister will indicate whether there is a cap.

I hope we might see enterprise hubs in each county. Deputy Leo Varadkar, the Fine Gael spokesperson on enterprise, trade and employment, has pointed out that energy projects, microenterprises, centres of specialist food production and sustainable tourism projects deserve to be supported. We have an obligation to look after rural Ireland and it should not be seen as isolated and detached from the rest of society. It requires a level of investment that will bring major benefit to the country at large.

Did the Minister consider the abolition of all the Leader programmes and those that are now amalgamated under the councils? At a time of recession there might be accountability and no further quangos. I do not say that these programmes are quangos but one might then have local authorities in charge and accountability through elected people. Sometimes that does not obtain.

As mentioned in the Minister's speech, the national trades day was a good initiative and the events that took place were welcome. The Heritage Council has a wonderful season pass that is not well promoted. It might be used to encourage more people to visit our heritage sites and might also be tied into the Minister's walking and trails scheme. As a person who walks a lot, it is important to commend our farming community who have allowed people to enter their lands and it is also important to promote rural Ireland in this way. The Minister is right in that sense. There must be an increase in walking and cycling programmes and in the use of our waterways and oceans. I look forward to the Minister's reply at the end of the debate.

Broadband penetration, infrastructural development and a reduction in the cost of doing business must be tackled if we are to promote seriously an alternative to our cities and metropolitan areas.