Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The development of rural areas and the provision of supports for our communities, both urban and rural, are priorities for Government. This has been clearly demonstrated through ambitious policies such as 'Our Rural Future' and through the increased funding delivered through my Department since its establishment.  

As the Deputy is aware, my Department was established in 2017. For 2017, the Department had a capital funding provision of €77 million – €68 million for the rural development measures and €9 million for the community development programme.

This year my Department has a capital funding provision of €192 million – an increase of 150% compared to 2017. This includes €169 million for rural development and €23 million for community development. This funding is delivering tangible benefits on the ground, right across the country.

While figures are not available at the granular level for each of the specific headings referenced by the Deputy, there is no doubting the significant level of funding being provided under a variety of different investment programmes and for projects of differing scale.

For example, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund provides funding for the development and construction of large scale capital projects in towns, villages and rural areas across Ireland. To date, 191 projects have been approved for funding of €278 million for projects costing €377 million.

Similarly, the CLÁR Programme is also making an impact by funding smaller scale  facilities such as playgrounds, sensory gardens and other community facilities.

These are just two examples. Detailed information in respect of the projects funded by my Department through the various schemes, is available on my Department’s website.