Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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382. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the projects in County Tipperary that will be supported by the rural action plan, Realising our Rural Potential: Action Plan for Rural Development; the funding being provided for each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3873/17]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Action Plan for Rural Development provides a framework of supports to improve the lives of people who live and work in rural Ireland. It is the first Plan of its kind to address both the economic and social needs of rural Ireland through a whole-of-Government approach. The Plan contains over 270 actions, all of which aim to support rural communities throughout the country. These actions are spread over five thematic pillars aimed at:

- Supporting Sustainable Communities,

- Supporting Enterprise and Employment,

- Maximising our Rural Tourism and Recreation Potential,

- Fostering Culture and Creativity in rural communities, and

- Improving Rural Infrastructure and Connectivity.

Initiatives under the Plan will be rolled out by various Government Departments and State agencies, and will benefit all rural communities, including those in Co. Tipperary.

As far as my own Department is concerned, along with Minister Ring I will shortly be launching calls for proposals under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the CLÁR programme, the Rural Recreation Scheme and the Built Heritage Investment scheme. There will also be €40 million available this year for the delivery of the LEADER Rural Development Programme.

I will also be increasing access to the arts in rural communities, including through the roll out of a new small grants scheme for upgrades to regional arts and culture centres.

Overall funding for Regional and Rural Programmes in my Department’s Estimate has increased from a figure of €61.2 million in 2016, to €79.2 million in 2017 - an increase of 29%. This will allow for additional activity on key rural development schemes administered by the Department which will also be complemented by the broader work of my Department, much of which has a positive impact on rural Ireland.

Frank O'Rourke (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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383. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the specific measures that the Government will action, as part of the Government's recently announced plan for rural Ireland, in relation to rural County Kildare and the towns that will be included as part of the action plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3981/17]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Action Plan for Rural Development provides a framework of supports to improve the lives of people who live and work in rural Ireland. Supporting town and villages is just one element of a much more comprehensive Plan aimed at addressing both the economic and social needs of rural Ireland through a whole-of-Government approach. As part of Budget 2017, I have secured funding of €12 million for an enhanced Town and Village Renewal scheme this year. This represents a trebling of the original 2016 baseline allocation of €4 million for the scheme.

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme for 2017 will be launched shortly and towns and villages to be considered under the scheme, including in County Kildare, will be selected through an application and assessment process. The scheme will be funded by my Department and administered by Local Authorities. Full details of the scheme and the application process will be made available when the scheme is launched.

Rural towns and villages across the country will also benefit from a range of other measures in the Action Plan for Rural Development, including in relation to supports for community projects, tourism projects, sports and cultural activities and job creation. Initiatives in these different areas will be launched on a phased basis by the relevant Government Departments and agencies.