Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 September 2023
72. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development about initiatives in County Meath as part of her Departments strategy 2023-2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41182/23]
View answerMy Department's Statement of Strategy for the period 2023 - 2025 guides the work that my officials do to support vibrant and sustainable communities across the State. The Strategy makes it clear that the citizen is at the heart of everything the Department does and sets out a number of high-level actions that the Department will take to ensure our communities, rural or urban, continue to thrive. The Strategy is a high level document which guides delivery at a national level, rather than providing county specific funding initiatives.
My Department provides targeted investment and supports, which enable rural regeneration, facilitates new working opportunities and fosters regional enterprise growth. This is done through extensive collaboration and engagement with communities and wider stakeholders.
My Department will continue to invest in and support communities across the country through a wide range of schemes such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, LEADER Programme, Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme, Town and Village Renewal Scheme, Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, Local Improvement Scheme, CLÁR Programme, Islands Capital Programme, Community Enhancement Programme, the Community Centre Investment Fund, Connected Hubs initiative, Libraries Investment Capital funding, PEACE IV Programme and the PEACE PLUS Programme.
All funding schemes operated by my Department are open to applications from eligible groups during the application timeframes set for each scheme or programme. Further information on all schemes and programmes, including details of successful applications can be found on my Department's website www.drcd.gov.ie
With regard to funding in Meath, a range of capital projects have been approved for funding across my Department's schemes. For example, under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, €4.46 million in funding is being provided for Trim Library and Cultural Centre; €452,000 for Kells Heritage Development project, and; €727,000 for Enfield Community and Enterprise Hub. Other examples include funding under the Community Centre Investment Fund for centres in areas such as Oldcastle (€300,000), Slane (€213,000), and Dunboyne (€97,000).
The Departments schemes are designed to ensure that all rural areas and communities can develop projects that will benefit their areas, and our sustained funding will ensure that such projects continue to be supported.
