Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

74. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will consider running a national rural development programme concurrently with the 2023 -2027 LEADER Programme. [8717/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

This Government clearly recognises the vital role that LEADER plays in delivering impactful rural development projects at local level and it will continue to support investment in Rural Ireland.

In the 2014-2020 CAP programming period, €250m was allocated to LEADER. For the 7 year programming period from 2021 to 2027 this funding allocation will be maintained. It is comprised of €70m provided for the transitional period from 2021 to 2022, and the recently announced indicative allocation of €180m for the period 2023 to 2027. The maintenance of the €250m funding from the 2014-2020 period is evidence of the Government's continued support for the LEADER programme.

Any discussion of rural development investment must also take account of the record levels of investment in recent years.  A range of schemes have been implemented in recent years, such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Walks Scheme, and the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme. 

Budget 2022 also saw increases secured across all my Department's rural schemes and the National Development Plan outlines a clear commitment to a continuation of investment in Rural Ireland as a matter of priority. Capital funding allocations for my Department have seen an increase from €88m in 2018 to €205m in 2025 under the NDP.

This increased funding will help to deliver on the range of actions for our rural communities into the future as set out in the Government’s ambitious Rural Development Policy - Our Rural Future.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

75. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the engagement she has had with counterparts in Government and in Europe on LEADER funding. [8700/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The LEADER programme is a key intervention implemented by my Department which will help to underpin the Government's rural development goals as outlined in Our Rural Future.

The programme is co-funded by the EU under Pillar II the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).  The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is Ireland's Managing Authority for the CAP and thus has lead responsibility for negotiations of the new CAP which is to be introduced from 2023.  My officials has engaged extensively with both the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the EU Commission on the design of a new LEADER programme to form part of the new CAP Strategic Plan.  The draft CAP Strategic Plan, which includes LEADER, was submitted to the EU Commission by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine at the end of December 2021.   

My officials will continue to work closely with colleagues from the DAFM and the EU Commission over the coming months with a view to obtaining approval for the CAP Strategic Plan as a priority.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

76. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the successful projects under the 2021 town and village renewal scheme will be announced; the details of all towns and villages in respect of which applications were made by local authorities under the 2021 scheme; the estimated amount of funding available to each local authority under the 2021 scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8799/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) aims to assist with the rejuvenation of rural towns and villages throughout Ireland, making them more attractive places to live, work, and visit. 

In line with the commitment in Our Rural Future, the 2021 scheme prioritises the renovation of derelict and vacant buildings in our town centres, with a view to bringing these buildings back into use. I was delighted with the interest shown in the 2021 scheme, with 167 project applications for standard TVRS funding as well as 24 applications for the Project Development Measure which was introduced as a new addition to the 2021 Scheme.

The assessment of the applications made under the 2021 scheme is now being finalised and I expect to be in a position to announce the successful projects and the level of funding approved for each local authority shortly. The tables below provide details of all towns and villages for which an application was submitted to my Department under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme in 2021.

Table 1: Details of the 167 towns/villages in respect of which applications were made by local Authorities under the 2021 Town and Village Renewal Standard Scheme

Table 2: Details of the 24 towns/villages in respect of which applications were made by Local Authorities under the 2021 Town and Village Renewal Scheme Project Development Measure