Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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844. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the range of schemes, and their value, for regional development, in the past two years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29767/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government places a strong emphasis on balanced regional development through a range of measures. My own Department supports this commitment through targeted investment that supports rural regeneration, facilitates new working opportunities and fosters regional enterprise growth.

The National Planning Framework, and the National Development Plan (NDP) 2021 – 2030 also place particular focus on priority solutions to strengthen housing, climate ambitions, transport, healthcare, jobs growth in every region, and economic renewal for the decade ahead.

While the National Development Plan is a whole of Government approach, Chapter 8: Strengthened Rural Economies and Communities details measures that will be delivered and administered by my Department. Our Rural Future is a whole-of-Government Rural Development Policy which sets out a range of measures to strengthen the resilience of our rural communities and economies, including addressing the impacts of challenges experienced by people living and working in rural Ireland and maximising opportunities for rural areas. The NDP supports the achievement of the ambitious objectives set out in Our Rural Future.

My Department uses its funding across three strategic programme areas; rural development, regional affairs and the islands; community development, and; charities regulation. For 2024 my Department has secured a budget of €431 million, with €205 million for rural development regional affairs and the islands, €221 million for community development, and €5 million for charities regulation. In 2023, a total of €417 million was spent by my Department across the three strategic programme areas. €14.5 million of capital carry forward from 2022 was also spent in 2023. This combined expenditure in 2023 was an increase from 2022 where €378 million was allocated in the Revised Estimates. The funding for my Department, which has increased consistently in recent years, ensures that we are in a position to further assist communities, and support rural and regional development.

Over the life of the NDP my Department will continue to invest in and support rural Ireland and regional development in communities across the country - supported through the various schemes such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, LEADER Programme, Town and Village Renewal Scheme, Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, Local Improvement Scheme, CLÁR Programme, Islands Capital Programme, Community Enhancement Programme, Libraries Investment Capital funding, PEACE IV Programme and the PEACE PLUS Programme.

Details of funding allocations under specific schemes provided by my Department are available the Department's website at . I would also note that the revised estimate volume provides full detail of the funding allocations for programme areas each year.