Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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531. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the revitalisation of rural communities. [41312/15]

Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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As the Deputy will be aware, I am fully committed to supporting the development of rural Ireland through advancing the implementation of the Commission on the Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA) Report recommendations, including working with Government Departments to maximise the financial resources already available for rural development and ensuring that these resources are directed in a way that best supports the sustainable economic development of rural areas.

In relation to the specific activity referred to in the Question, the LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme 2014–2020 will provide €250 million in financial resources to support the development of sustainable rural communities and the type of activity he refers to may be funded under that programme As LEADER is a community led approach to development, it is, however, up to individual communities, through their Local Action Groups, to identify the priority investment projects in their areas, including decisions on the type of investment referred to by the Deputy.

In line with the objectives of the CEDRA report, I also recently announced an additional €30 million investment package for rural Ireland, which will be rolled out over the coming months. This funding will support the revitalisation of towns and villages with a view to improving the living and working environment in these communities and enhancing their potential to support increased economic activity into the future. The initiative will be channelled through the local authorities and details of the application process will be available over the coming weeks. It may be possible under this initiative to fund elements of the type of activity referred to in the Question.