Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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253. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will address the diminution of services such as banking and post office services in rural Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40254/18]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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In my role as Minister for Rural and Community Development I am absolutely clear on the importance of ensuring that rural communities can access the services they need so that they remain vibrant places in which to live and work.

As the Deputy is aware, the Minister for Finance has responsibility for banking and the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment has policy responsibility for the postal sector.

However, I am acutely aware of the value placed by rural communities on services such as those provided by banks and post offices. Ensuring access to services for rural communities is an issue that cuts across almost all Government Departments. It also relates to services provided by the private sector.

The Deputy will no doubt appreciate that the provision of services by banks, including the location of branches, is a commercial decision for the boards and management of those institutions.

That said, I expect that any bank closing branches will do everything that it can to mitigate the impacts of the branch closures on local communities, including use of technology and the use of alternative means of service delivery.

In relation to postal services, I am providing €80,000 to the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment in order to support the establishment of 10 ‘Digital Assist’ Post Offices. This initiative, which was launched this week, will see these post offices act as pilots for the provision of new services. By creating a network of connected post offices I hope to help make the post office central to the community and local business and help sustain the viability of the post office network into the future.

My Department is supporting the many vibrant towns and villages across rural Ireland through a range of schemes and supports. The evidence of impact can be seen in growing opportunities for employment and improved quality of life across rural Ireland.

Project Ireland 2040 laid out the Government’s plans for the country’s long-term development, and a key commitment within it regarding rural Ireland is the provision of €1 billion for the new Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, which is an unprecedented commitment by Government to strengthen our rural economies and, in turn, support stronger local communities.

Initially, €315 million has been allocated for the period 2019-2022 and the first call for applications to the Fund closed last Thursday.

My Department administers a range of other funding programmes that support local communities throughout Ireland. Of particular importance for those towns and villages most disadvantaged in terms of access to services are:

The CLÁR programme, which is a targeted investment programme for rural areas that aims to provide funding for small infrastructural projects and other initiatives in areas that have experienced significant levels of population decline.

The Community Enhancement Programme, which was launched by my Department in May 2018 and provides small capital grants to community groups across the country. I was delighted to announce a further €8million in funding for this programme last Friday, bringing the total for 2018 to €12.5million.

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme supports the revitalisation of rural towns and villages, with particular focus on projects which have a clear positive economic impact on local communities. Since its launch in 2016, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme has invested €31.6 million in more than 450 projects across the country.

The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2018-2022, with funding of €38m in 2018, provides capacity at local level to respond to the particular needs in each area. It helps those seeking employment or starting their own business.

LEADER funding, administered by Local Action Groups, delivers the €250 million programme funding in accordance with the specific objectives and needs identified by the LAGs themselves as part of the development of Local Development Strategies. Therefore the supports are tailored to the specific needs of each individual area.

Libraries will also work with local partners to reach disadvantaged, marginalised and new communities, increasing these communities’ awareness of services available and firmly establishing the library as a resource for all. Some €150m is expected to be invested by local authorities in library services in 2018.

In terms of directly facilitating access to services in rural Ireland, the Department of Transport has provided a funding allocation of €14.9 million for local link services in 2018. Such funding facilitated 1.9 million passenger journeys last year – providing a vital service for rural communities.