Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 31 May 2018
224. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of applications that were received by each local authority and various stakeholder organisations for funding for schemes (details supplied) in each of the years 2016 and 2017, and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [24230/18]
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 are 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 accepted through the Local Authorities and various stakeholder organisations.
My Department does not receive details of all the applications received by each Local Authority or the various stakeholder organisations, as they submit only their prioritised applications to the Department. However, details of final projects approved for each of these schemes since 2016 are available on the Rural Development pages of 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 21st 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. A maximum sum of €2,480 per annum is paid to each of the private landowners participating in the scheme for the maintenance of approved trail that traverse their lands.
