Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 May 2022
15. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the degree to which she continues to fund infrastructure throughout the country in such a way as to encourage the retention of jobs and the attraction of investors in jobs throughout the regions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27715/22]
View answer25. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she and her Department hope to continue to support initiatives under the headings of rural and community development with beneficial effect to areas of need in both urban and rural Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27716/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 25 together.
My Department's 2022 budget allocation of €379 million supports rural and community development, including through investment in infrastructure and initiatives assisting the retention and attraction of jobs throughout the regions.
The Programme for Government places a strong emphasis on balanced regional development. My own Department supports this commitment through targeted investment that supports rural regeneration, facilitates new working opportunities, and fosters regional enterprise growth.
Supports for rural and community development are provided through the various schemes delivered by my Department. Some of my Department's funding and supports which are benefitting areas throughout the regions are as follows:
- €60 million was allocated in 2022 for the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund . The Fund has provided €278 million for 191 large scale infrastructural projects throughout the country which involve an overall investment of some €377 million.
- The CLÁR programme is a targeted investment programme which provides funding for small-scale infrastructural projects in rural areas that have suffered the greatest levels of population decline.
- The Town and Village Renewal Scheme prioritises the renovation of derelict and vacant buildings in our town centres.
- The new Town Centre First Policy is underpinned by multi-billion euro investment across a number of Government schemes and targets the economic and social regeneration of our towns.
- The €70 million Transitional LEADER Programme came into effect in April 2021 and ensures that LEADER can remain a key intervention for rural areas.
- Connected Hubs funding supports the development of remote working facilities as part of the National Connected Hubs Network.
- The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure such as walking trails, cycleways and blueways.
- The Community Services Programme supports over 420 community organisations to provide employment opportunities and delivery of local services through a social enterprise model.
- Funding of €7.5 million was provided towards the regeneration of the Dublin North East Inner City area in 2022.
- Lastly, the Empowering Communities Programme involves funding of €2 million for 2022.
Information on all of the funding and supports available through my Department are available online on the Gov.ie website. I believe that this substantial investment, which is underpinned by transformative policies such as 'Our Rural Future' and 'Town Centre First', will continue to deliver real economic and social benefits for rural and urban communities.
