Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
2173. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of rural schemes, other than LEADER, that her Department has introduced for the development of infrastructure in rural areas outside of towns and villages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42227/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's 2022 budget allocation of €379 million supports rural and community development, including through investment in infrastructure and initiatives assisting the retention and attraction of jobs throughout the regions, including outside of the main towns and villages.
The Programme for Government places a strong emphasis on balanced regional development. My own Department supports this commitment through targeted investment that supports rural regeneration, facilitates new working opportunities, and fosters regional enterprise growth.
Other than the €70 million Transitional LEADER Programme that came into effect in April 2021 and ensures that LEADER can remain a key intervention for rural areas, some of my Department's other funding and supports which are benefitting areas throughout the regions are as follows:
- €60 million was allocated in 2022 for the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. The Fund has provided €278 million for 191 large scale infrastructural projects throughout the country which involve an overall investment of some €377 million.
- The CLÁR programme is a targeted investment programme which provides funding for small-scale infrastructural projects in rural areas that have suffered the greatest levels of population decline.
- Connected Hubs funding supports the development of remote working facilities as part of the National Connected Hubs Network.
- The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure such as walking trails, cycleways and blueways.
- The Local Improvement Scheme contributes to the upkeep of private roads in rural areas.
- The €15m Community Centre Investment Fund will support community centres in both rural and urban settings.
Information on all of the funding and supports available through my Department is available online on the Gov.ie website. I believe that this substantial investment, which is underpinned by transformative policies such as 'Our Rural Future' and 'Town Centre First', will continue to deliver real economic and social benefits for rural and urban communities.
