Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 November 2023
18. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she and her Department propose to ensure the widest possible availability of schemes likely to be of major assistance to communities throughout the country, including interaction on a north/south basis or otherwise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49676/23]
View answer25. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the degree to which she continues to fund investment in vital infrastructure throughout rural and urban areas 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. [49675/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 25 together.
A vital part of my Department's mission is to support vibrant and sustainable communities across this country. My Department provides targeted investment and supports in both rural and urban communities, which enables rural regeneration, facilitates new working opportunities and fosters regional enterprise growth.
In 2023 my Department had a budget allocation of €429 million which supported rural and community development, including investment in infrastructure and initiatives assisting the retention and attraction of jobs throughout the regions. I can assure the Deputy that all my Department’s schemes are designed to support and contribute to urban and/or rural communities across the country.
We will continue to invest in and support communities across the country through our 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.
With regard to communities in Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland, I am particularly pleased that my Department is also an Accountable Department for eight of the twenty two Investment Areas under the PEACEPLUS Programme, which is the new cross-border funding programme, with has a total value of €1.145 billion for all investment areas. This funding will continue to support boarder counties and build peaceful communities on our shared Island, and will build on the investment made through previous iterations of the PEACE programme.
