Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 May 2018
204. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of persons who applied to schemes (details supplied); and the number of approved applicants in each of the years 2016 to 2018, in tabular form. [23029/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department delivers a suite of programmes referred to by the Deputy which provide direct financial support for the sustainable development of rural areas. These programmes were highlighted in the Action Plan for Rural Development which focuses on supporting sustainable communities, enterprise and employment, maximising rural tourism and recreation potential, fostering culture and creativity in rural communities, and improving rural infrastructure.
Applications for funding under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, the CLÁR programme and the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) are not accepted from individuals, but rather through the Local Authorities and various stakeholder organisations.
Details of the projects approved for each of these schemes since 2016 are available on my Department’s website - www.drcd.gov.ie. Further approvals made during 2018 will also be published on the website.
The LEADER programme is administered by Local Action Groups (LAGs) which deliver funding in accordance with Local Development Strategies that have been agreed for each LEADER area. €220 million of the €250 million approved for LEADER under the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014-2020 has already been allocated to each LAG area. Each LAG is responsible for deciding how their allocation is distributed to LEADER projects over the duration of the programme, based on the objectives in their Local Development Strategies. As of 21 May 2018, 973 projects with a value of €28 million had been approved for LEADER funding by the LAGs while a further 342 projects with a value of €19 million are at various stages in the approval process. Details of individual projects approved are available on my Department’s website on a county by county basis.
The Walks Scheme is currently operating on 39 trails supported by 1,905 landowners. The Scheme is managed and administered by 16 Local Development Companies around the country on behalf of my Department.
