Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 June 2013
12. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the new initiatives taken by him to assist rural development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28051/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy colleague, Minister Coveney and I established the Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA) in September 2012 and tasked it to investigate the opportunities and challenges facing rural populations in the current economic climate. Since then the Commission has been working towards the publication of a report that will inform policies and strategies to support the economic development of rural Ireland into the future. The Commission led by its Chair, Mr Pat Spillane, has been engaging in an extensive schedule of meetings with stakeholder groups and the public over recent months looking at the many issues that affect life in rural Ireland at present. The Commission is also conducting a parallel research process and has invited interested parties to make submissions directly to it via its website at www.ruralireland.ie.
There is also an option to complete an online questionnaire. To date 60 questionnaires have been completed. In addition, 108 submissions have been received. In total between the consultation and research exercises 850 contributions have been received to date for consideration in the CEDRA research process. The Commission presented its preliminary findings at a conference in NUI Maynooth earlier this week with the final report due in October 2013.
I believe there is clear evidence that rural communities all over Ireland have embraced the CEDRA research process. I am confident that it will provide invaluable insights into the potential for the economic development of rural areas and will assist policy making into the future. I look forward to receiving the final report, and I and my colleagues in Government will give due consideration to its findings and make decisions regarding the appropriate actions to be taken.
My Department is responsible for the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 and has to date spent €182 million on the Programme. I recently announced the release of the final €90 million of the Programme. This funding has the capacity not only to facilitate access to sustainable employment opportunities in rural areas but also to help support rural communities and enhance rural economies for business creation and development into the future. In addition, my Department supports a number of initiatives in regard to rural recreation development and continues to be a main funding partner of Leave No Trace Ireland which promotes responsible recreational use in the outdoors. It also chairs regular meetings of Comhairle Na Tuaithe (The Countryside Council) and is working closely with the State Claims Agency following the successful establishment of an Irish arm of the Visitor Safety in the Countryside Group (VSCG), which is focused on how to create safe access to the countryside in ways that do not spoil landscape and heritage, or lessen the visitor’s sense of exploration and adventure. A National Indemnity Scheme, to be managed in conjunction with the State Claims Agency, is currently under negotiation.
