Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
97. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of funding provided by her Department to County Mayo since January 2020; the list of projects supported under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, Town and Village Renewal Scheme, Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Fund, Building Acquisition Fund and CLÁR Fund during this time in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28353/23]
View answerOur Rural Future represents the Irish Government’s blueprint for the development of rural Ireland over the next 5 years. It sets out a range of actions for delivery across Government, and sets the strategic framework for the delivery of capital investment under my Department's Rural Development Investment Programme.
Over €64.2 million in funding has been allocated by my Department for projects in County Mayo for the period 2020 to 2022 . A breakdown of allocations per year is set out in the table below.
|
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
€14,732,668 |
€23,568,237 |
€25,933,893 |
The Building Acquisition Measure was introduced in 2022 and no applications were received from Mayo County Council for that year.
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund supports job creation in rural areas, address de-population of rural communities and supports improvements in our towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000, and outlying areas. Over €19.6 million in funding was allocated to projects in Mayo between 2020 and 2022, including €8,278,682 to transform the former Sisters of Mercy Convent site and adjacent lands in Westport. The project will provide a range of key community facilities and services in a central location, including remote learning, enhancing the quality of life of the town’s residents and improving the overall experience of visitors to the region.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme supports measures designed to rejuvenate small rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. Over €2.54 million in funding was allocated to projects in Mayo between 2020 and 2022, including €500,000 for the redevelopment of the semi-derelict Canal House in Belmullet to provide a dedicated youth facility, base for outdoor activities and a link to the existing canal bank walk.
The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Fund provides funding for the development of new and existing outdoor recreational infrastructure in rural areas. Over €1.8 million in funding was allocated to Mayo between 2020 and 2022, including €200,000 for the improvements to the recreational offering at Moorehall and nearby Towerhill Forest.
CLÁR provides funding for small-scale infrastructural projects in rural areas. Over €1.76 million in funding was allocated to projects in Mayo between 2020 and 2022, including €65,000 for the purchase of a vehicle by St Colemans Care Centre.
A list of projects supported under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, Town and Village Renewal Scheme, Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Fund and CLÁR Fund from 2020 to 2022 in County Mayo is set out in the attached document.
