Cash-strapped local authorities hit for rural development funding

THE Government insisted yesterday the survival of rural Ireland was a priority but critics insisted a village enhancement scheme fell short of its promises.

The Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs stepped up funding for a programme to help tackle problems of depopulation, decline and lack of services in rural areas.

However, a grant-aid restriction was put on the initiative with cash-strapped local authorities expected to fund projects exceeding €30,000.

Minister of State Éamon Ó Cuív advised that local authorities will have to provide supplementary funding if some projects are to proceed.

Announcing €2.4m in funding for more than 20 community-based Leader schemes throughout the country, the minister said a five-fold increase in funding demonstrated a new confidence in rural community development.

“Over the past few years, there’s an increased awareness in village communities of their own value and an invigorated spirit of enterprise,” he said. “Our job in government is to make the most of this enthusiasm.”

However, the Co Clare-based Irish Rural Dwellers Association yesterday expressed regret at being omitted from the CLÁR Village Enhancement Scheme. Secretary of the national body Jim Connolly said: “We put forward a unique proposal which would have helped to regenerate rural areas but it was a non-runner.

“We planned to acquire derelict houses unfit for restoration, demolish the buildings and provide new sites to bring urban families into rural areas.”

Meanwhile, Labour’s Deputy Willie Penrose said any measure to arrest rural decline was welcome. However, he said funding should focus on infrastructure development.

“Basic services such as water mains and sewerage are essential to encourage new housing schemes and village growth,” he said.

“A community with a declining population, deprived of its post office, school or garda station, cannot survive.”

Under the scheme, local authorities and CLÁR will contribute just over 66% of funding with local communities providing one-sixth of any costs.

However, Westmeath-based TD Mr Penrose said: “Putting pressure on local authorities to come up with the extra funding or demanding that local communities should make significant contributions can be a possible deterrent to the proposed scheme progressing.”