Rural and Community Development Committee, Minister to discuss rural spending plans

The meeting at 10:30 a.m. in Committee Room 4 can be viewed live here and on Android and Apple devices using the Houses of the Oireachtas app.

The witnesses are

• Rural and Community Development Minister Michael Ring TD, and 
• Minister of State for Community Affairs and Digital Development Seán Canney TD. 

The Committee is scrutinising the Department of Rural and Community Development’s Gross Allocation of €239,232,000 for 2018, the outturn for 2017, and the outlook for 2019 and beyond. This chiefly involves spending on two programmes – Rural Development and Regional Affairs, and Community Development – and includes net capital spending of €80.4 million.

“The Committee hopes that, as part of our mid-year review, available funding finds its way to relevant rural development and community projects,” said Committee Chairman Joe Carey TD.

“Members look forward to discussing with the Minister the current situation specifically on the drawdown of finances from LEADER, the EU-wide programme that has earmarked up to €35 million for Ireland this year, and the Rural Regeneration Development Fund,” Deputy Carey said. “It's important that we take full advantage of these vital strategic supports for revitalising rural Ireland.”