Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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195. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans for the development of programmes for which his Department has responsibility throughout the entire country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8965/18]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Taoiseach’s decision to establish the Department of Rural and Community Development was an important one for communities throughout the country. It underlines the Government’s commitment to ensuring that the economic recovery can be felt by every community and that we build greater resilience for the future. My Department's role is to enable economic development through the creation of jobs and the infrastructure required to support those jobs, and to support our communities to become sustainable and desirable places to live, work and raise families.

Our vision is that all communities will have the opportunity to grow and develop economically and socially. To help bring this about, the Department will work across Government to:

- Create the conditions to support increased economic opportunities and local employment in all areas of the country

- Deliver schemes and programmes that support the revitalisation of towns and villages

- Improve access to services and social networks that ensure a high quality of life

- Enable communities disadvantaged by location or social issues to reach their full potential now and in the future

- Support all communities to be able to have a voice in shaping their own futures and addressing their common goals

Ireland is a dynamic place. Every day I see examples of the dynamism and ability to adapt that are happening right across Ireland. It is local communities which are driving and delivering economic growth regionally and throughout the entire country. The Government must enable and harness that potential and it is crucial that there is access to the services that are necessary to thrive in the 21st century economy.

The Government launched Project Ireland 2040 on 16 February last. This initiative emphasises social outcomes and values ahead of economic targets, and, outlines how Ireland should develop over the next 20 years, and where best to direct major capital spending. It prioritises the wellbeing of all of our people, wherever they live, and whatever their background, and it is a plan for both rural and urban Ireland.

In Budget 2018, my Department secured in excess of €220 million giving us the foundation we need to drive both the rural and community agenda and to deliver initiatives that can foster growth right across the country.

My Department delivers a variety of programmes that provide support for the sustainable development of communities in line with commitments in the Programme for Partnership Government and the Action Plan for Rural Development. These schemes and programmes include flagship programmes such as the LEADER and the Social Inclusion and Community Activation (SICAP) Programmes, the Community Services Programme, RAPID, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, the CLÁR Programme, the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS), the Dormant Accounts Fund, Seniors Alert Scheme and the Communities Facilities Scheme.

I am proud of the role my Department is playing in the rollout of the National Broadband Plan which aims to provide high-speed broadband access to all areas of the country.

There has been real progress since 2017 right across Government in implementing the Action Plan for Rural Development. In 2018, I will continue to place a strong emphasis on delivery of actions across Government and developing strong policy frameworks to support rural development. My interests are not only in the work and investment of my own Department but the work and investments of Departments right across Government. Every Department of the State must be involved if we are going to deliver balanced growth, equal opportunities and modern services no matter where you live in Ireland.

All schemes are open to applications from relevant parties during the application timeframes set for each scheme or programme.

My Department will continue to work with key stakeholders including local authorities, community and voluntary groups, and dedicated agencies to support job creation, attract tourism investment and to contribute to sustainable economic development in all communities throughout Ireland. The Department will ensure that maximum use is obtained from the resources allocated and that value for money is delivered in respect of the 2018 schemes.

A key priority is to ensure better alignment, consolidation and integration of programmes across the Department, while we will also focus on cross-Departmental and whole-of Government approaches with a view to achieving greater impact and effectiveness in the delivery of our supports to communities.

Further information on schemes and programmes, including the Action Plan for Rural Development, can be found on my Department's website www.drcd.gov.ie.