Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 October 2021
3. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the impact the national development plan, NDP, will have on the spending by her Department; the provisions in the plan for rural and community development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50326/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhat impact will the NDP have on spending by the Minister's Department and what provisions are in the plan for her Department?
I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The Deputy will be aware that, last week, the renewed National Development Plan 2021-2030 was launched. It is the largest NDP in the history of the State, amounting to €165 billion, with a focus on funding solutions to strengthen housing, climate ambitions, transport, healthcare, jobs growth in every region and economic renewal for the decade ahead.
While the plan is a whole-of-government approach, Chapter 8: Strengthened Rural Economies and Communities sets out details that will be delivered and administered by my Department. In March, I was delighted to launch Our Rural Future: Rural Development Policy 2021-2025. The NDP will support the achievement of the ambitious objectives set out in that policy.
The budget for my Department in 2021 is €351 million, a 50% increase in the gross budget since the first full year of the Department's life in 2018. Regarding capital funding, this budget includes €87 million for our rural regeneration and development programmes, €44 million for the LEADER programme and €16 million in other rural supports, all of which are vital to the economic and social well-being of rural Ireland.
Over the life of the NDP, my Department's capital allocation will grow from €169 million this year to €192 million next year, €196 million in 2023, €200 million in 2024 and €205 million in 2025, with subsequent years to be added on a rolling basis. While the exact allocations for programmes will be decided as part of the annual budgetary process, this level of funding will ensure increased investment levels for all of the Department's schemes, building on the strong success of these schemes in recent years.
The Minister is saying that the capital funding of €962 million that was announced in the NDP will be spread out over a five-year period, starting with €162 million for 2021. Is the 2021 figure new money, by which I mean will the Minister's Department be getting additional money for the rest of the year? Is the €962 million announced in the NDP new money?
The Minister mentioned the importance of ensuring that the regions got their fair share. I have raised this matter with the Minister a number of times. Was the west and north west region considered in the NDP in any specific light, given that it is no longer a developed region and is now a region in transition? It has regressed.
The NDP will see significant increases in our funding programmes over the coming years. Those allocations are for each year. It is new money every year; it is additional money. We want to spend it in 2021 and I want to try to get as much of it out as possible. That is why I am putting a great deal of pressure on local authorities and project promoters to get their projects delivered and the money spent. It will be difficult for me to make the case for more money next year if I do not spend what I have this year. That is one of the reasons I moved money into the LIS. I wanted to get the money spent and I knew that people wanted to get their roads repaired. The point of that move was to get the money spent early in the year and to deliver much-needed improvements to the lanes that got the investment.
Regarding the €162 million for 2021 of the €962 million announced under the NDP, if I have those figures right, does the Minister know how much remains to be allocated? We are towards the end of the year.
Will the Minister reply to my question on the west and north west region? Was any specific focus given to it? When we look at the projects outlined in the NDP, can we see positive discrimination? Was that considered for the west and north west region? That would be important.
The west and north west region is the only region that is no longer developed, as stated by the EU Commission. It is also at the bottom of the table when it comes to funding across the State, compared to the south and the east.
In regard to the €162 million funding, many of the bills will come in at the end of the year. That is usually the case. The pressure is on to get as much in as possible. The last thing I want to do is return money to the Exchequer. I want to see the funding being spent on the ground.
The Deputy mentioned the north west. Like the Deputy, I come from that region and I am very aware of the challenges it faces. We work closely with the Western Development Commission in rolling out broadband, co-working spaces and remote working spaces. I visited Stranorlar a few weeks ago. Fantastic work is being done there. I met people who are working for multinational companies and can do so from Stranorlar, having moved there from Dublin. All of this will help to revitalise the towns and villages in the north west. I am willing to work with anybody to improve the situation.
