Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2023
1091. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will consider including provision for local history projects in one of her Department's funding streams; if she sees the value of such projects for communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39726/23]
View answerIreland is renowned around the world for our heritage, culture and history and this immense cultural capital draws visitors to our island and sustains communities. Our Rural Future recognises the important contribution of culture, history and heritage to communities and to tourism development, and I am pleased to say that local history projects are, and have been, eligible to apply for funding under a number of schemes managed by my Department. Schemes such a CLÁR, Town and Village Renewal, and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund have provided funding for works ranging from small scale improvement to local historical sites, to full regeneration of important historical buildings.
In addition my Department is an Accountable Department under the PEACE Programmes. Some of the key investment areas supported under the existing programme span a broad range of areas of focus, including history. Full details on all PEACEPLUS investment areas are available on the Special EU Programmes Body website - www.seupb.eu/ .
The LEADER programme is a key intervention implemented by my Department which will help to underpin the Government's rural development goals as outlined in Our Rural Future. In October last, I was happy to announce the process to select new local action groups (LAGs) to deliver the next LEADER Programme. At the end of August I announced the first two LAGs selected to deliver the 2023-2027 LEADER Programme, with more LAGs coming on stream as they are selected. As LAGs are appointed, applications for approval for LEADER funding will be open in the given sub-regional area. In order for a project to be eligible for LEADER funding, it must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved Local Development Strategy for the area concerned, and it must comply with the Operating Rules and EU Regulations in place for the programme. In this context, local history projects may be considered eligible for funding under the LEADER programme. However, decisions on the nature of the projects to be supported and the funding to be awarded are solely a matter for each LAG.
