Minister says investments through Project Ireland 2040 having a positive impact in rural communities
Mr Michael Ring, TD, The Minister Rural and Community Development, has today (19 September 2019) called on rural communities across Ireland to engage with his Department as it prepares a new whole-of-Government policy for rural Ireland.
Minister Ring has urged local communities, groups and individuals to participate in the process by contributing to an online survey and registering for upcoming public consultation events.
Speaking at the National Ploughing Championships in Ballintrane, Fenagh, Co. Carlow, Minister Ring said that it is important that people take the opportunity to have their say on issues which impact rural communities:
As part of the consultation process, my Department is currently running an online survey which gives everyone a chance to have their say on the future of rural development policy. The survey is open until the 11th of October and I strongly encourage people to visit gov.ie/drcd and have their say on how we continue to support rural Ireland.
The Minister went on to speak about the wide variety of funding supports the Government is already providing to rural areas:
A strong and vibrant rural Ireland is what we need and we are committed to achieving that through balanced regional development. We are already delivering on this objective with significant investment in rural areas through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, a key part of Project Ireland 2040, the LEADER programme, Town and Village Renewal Scheme and many other funding initiatives. Since the establishment of my Department the total funding approved for these rural programmes alone has risen from €39 million in 2017 to €63 million in 2018 and is expected to reach €157 million by the end of 2019. These investments are driving rural and regional economic development and improving the quality of life in rural areas.
The Department of Rural and Community Development is planning to host two workshops, on the new rural development policy, in the following locations;
- Hibernian Hotel, Mallow, Co. Cork on Monday 30 September from 7.00-8.30pm
- Heritage, Killenard, Portlaoise, Co. Laois on Tuesday 1 October from 7.00-8.30pm.
Minister Rings says that these workshops are extremely useful as they bring communities into the process of policy development:
These events are open to all and will give the public the opportunity to give their views on the challenges and opportunities facing them and their communities over the next five years. The approach of my Department is to engage with communities and gain ground-level support so we can all work together to make rural Ireland an even better place to work and live.
The Minister concluded:
“The Government of Ireland village at this years’ ploughing championships, the online consultation and the workshops that my Department will host over the coming days are part of an ongoing conversation about how we want to develop our rural areas and our communities. My Department and I are committed to rural and community development and together we will make it happen.”
To access the online survey or register for a public consultation event visit www.gov.ie/drcd.