Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 May 2021
33. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she is considering extending the provisions in the status of the Our Rural Future - Rural Development Policy 2021-2025 with regard to revitalising rural towns and villages; the measures that have been implemented to cover urban villages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27990/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOur Rural Future was launched in March 2021 and sets out the Government's blueprint for the development of rural Ireland over the next five years. It is supported by 150 commitments across Government, which will address the challenges facing communities and deliver new opportunities for people living in rural areas.
The policy will support the regeneration, repopulation and development of rural towns and villages to contribute to local and national economic recovery, and to enable people to live and work in a high quality environment.
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) is a major programme which seeks to support large-scale, ambitious projects which can achieve sustainable economic and social development in rural areas. Administered by my Department, it has provided over €249 million for 164 projects across Ireland, to deliver projects worth a total of €338 million. The focus of RRDF is on rural towns with a population of less than 10,000 people and, as such, urban villages located within the main cities would not come under its remit.
However, the type of investment referred to by the Deputy may be eligible under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) administered by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. It aims to deliver more compact and sustainable development, by part-funding regeneration and rejuvenation projects in Ireland’s five cities and other large towns. Currently, the URDF part-funds 87 projects across the country.
An important feature of Our Rural Future is its commitment to produce annual work programmes. These will detail elements for delivery each year, which will be developed through ongoing consultation and engagement with rural stakeholders and colleagues across Government.
These annual work programmes will provide the opportunity for the addition of new measures or the further extension or expansion of existing measures.
