Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 May 2026
94. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the progress made on implementing the Our Rural Future policy in County Offaly, specifically regarding initiatives aimed at supporting local businesses and enhancing rural infrastructure; if he will provide details on any upcoming plans for the constituency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38303/26]
View answerOur Rural Future 2021-2025 set out the Government's ambition and vision for rural Ireland. It has provided a whole-of-government framework for the delivery of vital investments and initiatives aimed at supporting local businesses and enhancing rural infrastructure, strengthening local economies and improving the quality of life for people across rural Ireland.
Significant achievements over the lifetime of the policy include improvements in digital connectivity , the establishment of the Connected Hubs Network, and improvements to key public services such as rural transport, healthcare and education.
To deliver on our ambition for rural Ireland, policy implementation has been underpinned by unprecedented levels of Government investment in our rural towns, villages and communities through my Department’s Rural Development Investment Programme.
In relation to the impact of such investment in Offaly in particular, I am happy to confirm that a wide range of projects have been allocated funding across the county.
For example, over €8.5 million has been allocated to Offaly under my department's Town and Village Renewal Scheme since it was established.
Similarly, under the Rural Regeneration Development Fund, Offaly has been allocated over €16 million for 6 projects since 2020.
These two schemes have a particular focus on the regeneration of our rural towns and villages, but it is important to note that the Government's continued investment in rural development also has a wider focus.
For example, we have clearly recognised the potential that the development of the outdoor recreation sector holds for rural areas and Offaly has benefited from the allocation of €2.8m in funding under the Outdoor Recreation and Infrastructure Scheme since 2020.
This Government has also prioritised investment in community facilities that are so important for our rural areas, and I am happy to confirm that in this regard total combined funding of almost €5.4m has been allocated to projects in Offaly in recent years under CLÁR and the Community Centre Investment Fund.
Finally, the LEADER programme continues to support high quality projects across the country, including supports for local enterprises, and there is an allocation of €6.2m for the implementation of this vital scheme in Offaly for the current programming period.
I am committed to ensuring that sustained investment in all our rural communities will continue to be a priority for this Government. The next iteration of Our Rural Future for the period 2026-2031 is currently being finalised and will continue to ensure that we can deliver on our ambition for rural Ireland.
