Barry Cowen (Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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234. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the €3.7 million allocated to the national rural development schemes as outlined in budget 2018; the amount that has been spent; the way in which the money has been spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27253/18]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Subhead A5 of my Department's Vote for 2018 shows an increase in funding of €3.7 million compared to 2017.  The allocation under the Subhead has increased from €15.283 million in 2017, to €18.983 million in 2018.  This increase was provided to build on the progress made by my Department last year in delivering a range of National Rural Development Schemes. 

My Department operates a number of schemes under this Subhead, including the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, CLÁR and the Walks Scheme.

Of the total allocation of €18.983 million for this year, €11.38 million is allocated to the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, €5 million is allocated to the CLÁR programme and €2 million is allocated to the Rural Walks Scheme.  The balance of funding is provided for smaller initiatives.

I launched the 2018 CLÁR programme in March, with a closing date of end-April, and I will be announcing the successful applicants shortly.  The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme was launched on 1 June, with a July closing date for applications. 

This year to date, €3.3 million has been drawn down from Subhead A5.  However, expenditure will increase in the coming months, in line with my Department's projected profile of expenditure, as projects are approved under the various schemes referred to above.