Skip to main content
Normal View

Departmental Policies

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 December 2021

Wednesday, 15 December 2021

Questions (235)

Christopher O'Sullivan

Question:

235. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the main policy achievements and initiatives undertaken by her Department during 2021; and her main priorities for 2022. [62201/21]

View answer

Written answers

My Department’s continuing focus is to promote rural and community development and to support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland. This mission is set out in our recent Statement of Strategy 2021 to 2023.

My Department has made considerable progress this year, with over €320 million investment in a coherent package of supports to strengthen rural economies and communities. My Department has provided significant investment under the Rural Development Investment Programme including the Town and Village Renewal scheme, Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, Rural Walks Scheme, CLÁR, LEADER programme, TidyTowns competition, and the Dormant Accounts Fund.

My Department has also provided support for communities across the country through community development schemes including the Community Enhancement Programme, Libraries Investment Programme, Seniors Alert Scheme, Community and Voluntary Supports Programme, Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), National Organisations Supports Programme, PEACE Programme, and the Community Services Programme.

During 2021 I launched Our Rural Future, the Rural Development Policy 2021-2025, which represents the Governments blueprint for rural development over the next 5 years. Across Government, Our Rural Future has seen investment in local transport and active travel, remote working facilities and digital connectivity. The ambition inherent in Our Rural Future is now being delivered on the ground, the First Progress Report detailing implementation to date will be published in the coming weeks.

Other items progressed by my Department during 2021 include: €70m for a Transitional LEADER Programme for the period 2021-2022; the establishment of a Working Group for the National Volunteering Strategy to ensure delivery of actions; publication of guidelines for Local Economic and Community Plans for each Local Authority area; further engagement with rural communities through the hosting of a series of Rural Ideas Fora and the first national Rural Youth Assembly.

During 2022 my Department will continue to deliver a wide range of measures to support urban and rural communities to grow sustainably and to address their emerging needs. This will include, amongst other work, continued delivery of measures in Our Rural Future policy; further implementation of the measures set out in the 5 year strategy to support the community and voluntary sector in Ireland ‘Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities, 2019-2024’; collaboration with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to equip Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) with the required knowledge and skills for the preparation of their Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP); continued development of the new Islands Policy; funding for the development of a new pilot grant to support workers who wish to relocate to rural Ireland while availing of the opportunities afforded by the national network of remote working hubs; completion of the nationwide BCP network; publication of the Charities (Amendment) Bill; the development of the Government’s new National Outdoor Recreation Strategy; strengthened engagement on climate matters impacting on communities; and continued engagement with stakeholders as the process of agreeing the design of the new LEADER programme with the EU Commission continues.

Over the lifetime of the new National Development Plan my Department’s Capital allocation will grow from €169m this year to €192m next year, €196m in 2023, €200m in 2024 and €205m in 2025 with subsequent years to be added on a rolling basis. This will allow my Department to continue to deliver these important funding schemes and policies to support both urban and rural communities, improve quality of life, and enable local and community development sectors to continue to provide valuable much needed services and supports to all communities throughout the country.

Top
Share