Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

313. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will outline her Department’s programme for addressing particular issues of need arising from cost-of-living increases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9436/23]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

314. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the degree to which she has identified particular requirements in the area of rural and community development, with particular reference to the need to make specific interventions to help those affected by increasing demands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9437/23]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

317. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she has, in the past twelve months, positively intervened to assist various sectors in urban and rural settings; if she expects to be in a position to do so in the coming year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9440/23]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

319. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she expects to introduce any new initiatives in the programme of assistance for rural and community groups throughout County Kildare and throughout the country in the coming year based on any applications received to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9435/23]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 313, 314, 317 and 319 together.

My Department's mission is to promote rural and community development and to support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland, including Kildare. We do this by delivering a wide range of strategic interventions and investments throughout the country.

In 2022 my Department provided substantial support for rural and community development, including through investment in infrastructure and initiatives assisting the retention and attraction of jobs throughout the regions. This will continue in 2023. My Department has a strong budget available in 2023 to support delivery for rural and urban communities.

This includes a funding allocation of €7.5 million in 2023 for the Clár Programme. The Community Centre Investment Fund has an allocation of €20m for 2023, up from €15m last year. For 2023 the Local Improvement Scheme has a funding allocation of €12 million, up from €11 million in 2022, and €10.5 million in 2021. The Leader Programme has an allocation of €46million in 2023.

The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund has an allocation of €60m for 2023. To date, 215 projects have been approved for funding of €395 million for projects costing €542 million throughout rural Ireland. The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme is another important area of investment with an allocation for 2023 of €16 million. The allocation for this Scheme has increased year on year since 2020, and the projects funded will be key enablers of the recently launched National Outdoor Recreation Strategy, Embracing Ireland's Outdoors.There is also €10m for the Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme which will also assist communities with increased costs.

Scheme priorities are reviewed at the end of each scheme year and this process is at an advanced stage in respect of planning for our 2023 schemes. As part of this process, I am anxious to ensure that the range of schemes offered by my Department continue to be structured in a way that ensures clear coherence, shows alignment with key policies such as Our Rural Future and the Town Centre Firstpolicy, and that deliver real and tangible benefits for communities.