Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Department has a number of schemes that provide funding for projects in rural areas such as Elphin, Co Roscommon.

One such scheme is the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS). The scheme provides funding for the development and enhancement of outdoor recreational infrastructure such as walking trails, cycleways and blueways throughout rural Ireland. Since the scheme's launch in 2016, funding of almost €109 million has supported over 1,550 projects across the country. I launched the 2023 ORIS in June of last year with an allocation of €16 million, a €1 million increase on 2022. ORIS has provided €38,500 in funding to Elphin and has supported 3 projects.

The CLÁR (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais) Programme provides funding for small-scale projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population over a defined period. Since the Programme was relaunched in 2016, it has supported a wide range of measures. Funding of €7.85 million was allocated for the 2023 CLÁR programme, an increase of €0.5 million in 2022. I expect to launch the CLÁR programme again in 2024. CLAR has provided €100,000 in funding to Elphin and has supported 2 projects.

The LEADER Programme is a key intervention of Our Rural Future and is delivered through Local Action Groups based on a community-led approach to rural development. It supports a broad range of activities that aim to respond to the needs of our rural areas. There were 5 projects approved for LEADER funding in Elphin, Co. Roscommon for the period in question to a total of €162,275.

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) was designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. Since its launch, over €156 million has been allocated to more than 1,700 projects across Ireland and has supported towns and villages the length and breadth of the country. I expect to announce successful projects under the 2023 shortly. TVRS has provided Elphin with €125,000 in funding which has supported 2 projects.

Under the 2022 Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF), over €45.8 million was committed for the improvement and refurbishment of existing community centres across Ireland. The CCIF supported the development of a community centre in Elphin in 2022 and is providing funding of €285,019.05.

In summary, my Department has provided a total of €710,794.05 in funding to Elphin, Co. Roscommon since the inception of the Department in 2017.