Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 June 2014
84. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the main proposals arising out of the CEDRA report; the progress made to date in implementing these proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25239/14]
View answerThe Taoiseach launched the CEDRA report in April 2014. There are 34 recommendations in total which are broken into three broad categories covering Governance and Co-ordination, the Centrality of the Regional and Local Dimensions and Facilitating Economic and Community Participation. Full details of the recommendations are available on my Department’s website www.environ.ie.
The report’s recommendations are far reaching and interdepartmental in nature and in this context will require significant consideration and consultation. The complex nature of the Departmental and agency interactions recommended in the report will require further examination and I am committed to working together with my Government colleagues to determine the best way forward with regard to the implementation of the CEDRA recommendations, working through the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Jobs.
I am confident that the implementation of the recommendations will ensure the development of strong rural economies that will support sustainable rural communities into the future. In the interim, the CEDRA report is informing the design of the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2014 - 2020. In this context, some of the areas which were identified in the CEDRA report and which could be supported under the Programme include enterprise and job creation, rural tourism and recreation, basic services for particularly disadvantaged communities, renewable energy and training.
I would also like to assure the Deputy that the Government continues to be committed to supporting the development of the broader rural economy evidenced by the fact that we recently secured 7% of the RDP allocation for the LEADER element of the programme when the regulatory framework only required 5%. This, along with an additional €15m to deliver two small mainstream agrifood schemes, will provide €250 million in financial resources to rural communities in the 2014-2020 programme period.
In addition, and reflecting the Government’s commitment to addressing the types of issues raised in the CEDRA report, my colleague, Minister of State Alan Kelly announced, in May 2014, a €10 million investment package to develop greenways and cycling routes across the country. Also, in April 2014, my colleague, Minister Pat Rabbitte, announced a Government commitment to a major telecommunications network roll-out to rural Ireland, with fibre as a cornerstone of its investment under the National Broadband Plan. These are only some of the initiatives already under way that I am confident will contribute to the continued development of sustainable rural communities.
