Maura Hopkins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State. I shared a platform with him on the Joint Committee on Rural and Community Development. I am aware that he is a champion for rural Ireland. I commend him on the work he is doing to ensure that the maximum investment possible is delivered to rural areas. Last year alone, the Department of Rural and Community Development delivered almost €22 million to communities across Roscommon and Galway, the country with which I am most familiar.

Schemes such as the community enhancement programme, CLÁR, the local improvement scheme, seniors alert, the community services programme and town and village renewal funding are essential for the delivery of services in our communities. These schemes are the primary means by which the economic recovery can be felt in rural areas. I was happy to hear Senator Paul Daly refer to the reintroduction of some of these programmes. I am reminded of the local improvement scheme and the CLÁR scheme. They are key hallmarks to indicate that we are in an economic recovery. I commend the Department and all of the officials who work on these schemes for turning them around in a short timescale to ensure that funding is delivered directly into the communities. I am reminded specifically of the town and village funding and outdoor recreation infrastructure funding. The rural regeneration and development fund is a flagship element of Project Ireland 2040. The Minister of State does not need to be reminded about ensuring that there must be balanced regional development.

The trends relating to employment figures are positive. However, there is a significant concentration of growth in Galway city in the west and there is a need to support towns across the region. We had an interesting debate at this morning's meeting of the Joint Committee on Rural and Community Development about working from home and the use of digital hubs. I am reminded of the digital hub attached to the library in Ballinasloe and to Roscommon County Council's offices. These provide significant potential to enable people who live in rural areas to work remotely and to benefit from the existing infrastructure and broadband. Those hubs are currently underutilised. This morning's debate was important and I am interested in what the Minister of State had to say about foreign direct investment companies looking at whether there is potential for employees to work remotely when they are setting up. The committee and the Department need to ensure that we provide the necessary infrastructure and use existing resources to allow as many people as possible to work in rural areas.

I am aware, through my connection with and involvement in different committees and community groups across the region, that many volunteers submitted applications. I am reminded of the outdoor recreation infrastructure which provides a significant benefit for our region. We are delighted that almost €1 million has been given to the Beara-Breifne Way, which is being developed. Much work has been done and there is still more to do. We would like to see the outdoor recreation infrastructure fund continuing to support the tourism potential and the routes off the Beara-Breifne Way, which is a key objective of that fund. Many volunteers are involved, whether in Tidy Towns or in making various applications. We rely heavily on them to support rural villages and towns. The Minister of State spoke about his remit in the context of broadband officers. There is significant concern about the rate of progress of the national broadband plan. It is a key player in levelling the field and ensuring that we receive our fair share in services. Almost every week, I speak with schools about increasing the level of digital technology. There are significant challenges relating to broadband in our schools. Rural communities are affected and we need to see action as quickly as possible.

I want to mention a number of funding announcements which have a positive benefit. I recently visited the Triest Press printing company, which is a social enterprise company based in Roscommon town. It supports individuals with intellectual disabilities. It received €70,000 last year under the community services programme. I emphasise the importance of that funding to support people in employment. Another example is Midland Warmer Homes, which received approximately €63,000 in dormant account funding. It provides a service for energy upgrades across Roscommon, Galway and beyond there. We know there are challenges in rural areas. I know about them because we face them every day. We need to be positive and proactive in trying to deal with them.

I do not agree with Senator Paul Daly on some matters. However, I agree that we need people and jobs in rural areas if rural communities are going to remain vibrant, for people to enjoy the great quality of life in rural areas.