Written Answers Nos. 1-26
2. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she is engaging with the Minister for Transport on the provision of sustainable transport infrastructure such as segregated cycle lanes and greenways. [44385/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government places a strong emphasis on improving our transport infrastructure to ensure that people can travel more safely by bicycle or by walking in our towns and cities.
The Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, recently announced a fund of €50 million to be made available to Local Authorities for investment in walking and cycling projects specifically targeted at towns and villages across the country.
The Minister also announced an allocation of €63.5 million to greenways for 2021. This is the highest single annual amount ever allocated to greenways and shows the Government’s commitment to more sustainable modes of local transport in both urban and rural areas.
While the Department of Transport is the primary funder of national and regional greenways, my Department also supports the development and maintenance of local greenways and trails under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme. These trails directly enhance local amenities and tourism offerings. Given the importance of this scheme to local communities and visitors to rural areas, I have secured an increase of €2 million for the scheme in 2021. The total Exchequer allocation for the scheme next year will be €12 million.
My Department is currently finalising a new rural development policy for the period 2021-2025, which will reflect a whole-of-Government commitment to rural Ireland. The process of developing the policy has included wide-ranging consultation with key stakeholders and Government Departments, including the Department of Transport.
I have spoken directly with the Minister for Transport to get his views on priorities that should be reflected in the policy. I anticipate that policy, when published, will reference the importance of sustainable transport infrastructure in rural areas.
9. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the steps she has taken to implement action 127 of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43212/20]
View answerA Mid-Term Review of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy was published in January 2020. This review provided an opportunity to refresh the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, to modify existing actions, and to add new actions.
Action 127 was a new commitment made within the context of the forthcoming rural development policy, to work to improve accessibility for people with disabilities living in rural areas.
My Department is currently finalising the whole-of-Government rural policy, which will deliver a wide range of measures over the next 5 years to address issues that matter to people who live and work in rural Ireland.
The Policy will place an emphasis on building the participation and inclusion of rural communities, as well as access to services. The importance of meeting the needs of all cohorts in rural areas, including people with disabilities, will be referenced.
Amongst the measures which will further support people with disabilities living in rural areas is the rollout of high speed broadband. This will enable improved access to digital services and increased employment opportunities for people with disabilities, including through remote working.
Other commitments in the policy relating to people with disabilities are likely to relate to accessible public transport services, and developing disability-friendly environments.
My Department continues to provide funding to support people with disabilities as well as other groups under schemes such as the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP). Between January 2018 and June 2020, a total of 5,169 individuals who registered as having a disability were supported under SICAP, along with 312 local community groups and 25 social enterprises providing supports to people with a disability.
The Community Services Programme also currently supports over 420 community organisations to provide services to disadvantaged communities including persons with disabilities. For example, Childhood Days for Children with Learning Disability CLG in Leitrim, receives funding of €130k to manage a childcare service for children with special needs in Drumshanbo Co Leitrim. Sesame Building Services CLG in Roscommon receives funding of €258k towards the cost providing supported employment including transport for people with intellectual disabilities.
Finally, this year my Department has provided almost €700,000 for the provision of sensory facilities and equipment in public libraries. In addition, since 2019 I have paid €1.3 million under the Dormant Accounts Fund for library supports to disadvantaged, socially excluded and marginalised communities, including initiatives for people with disabilities.
13. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the steps her Department will take to implement the National Volunteering Strategy and the measures to support volunteering given its importance to communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43687/20]
View answerI am pleased to advise Deputies that the National Volunteering Strategy was launched on the 5th December, which coincided with International Volunteering Day. The purpose of the National Volunteering Strategy is to recognise, support and promote the unique value and contribution of volunteers to Irish society. It also provides an opportunity for Government to acknowledge how important volunteering is to the well-being of the nation and to steer the delivery of an agreed and ambitious vision.
Supporting the role of volunteers in our society is an important element of my Department’s work in developing vibrant, sustainable and inclusive communities. The development of the first National Volunteering Strategy (2021-2025) has been a key priority for my Department in 2020.
The Strategy comprises five high level objectives, with 56 associated actions and it outlines a whole-of-government framework to support the volunteering environment.
The next step for my Department is to form an Implementation Group drawn from various stakeholders across the sector. This group will assist my Department to implement the actions contained in the Strategy over the next five years and will monitor and evaluate progress on delivery.
Ongoing monitoring and evaluation will allow us to determine the impact and also to review and refocus the Strategy over the five year period, where necessary. Appropriate mechanisms will be needed to monitor and evaluate progress and these will be developed as part of an implementation plan.
17. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the engagement she has had on the national broadband plan in the last quarter. [43979/20]
View answerThe Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications has overall policy responsibility for the National Broadband Plan. However, my Department contributes to the delivery of the NBP in two important areas: the roll out of Broadband Connection Points and support for the national network of Local Authority Broadband Officers.
Broadband Connection Points are among the first deliverables of the National Broadband Plan and will provide high-speed broadband connectivity at publicly accessible sites in rural and isolated areas of the country, including a number of our off-shore islands.
The target is to have 300 publicly accessible BCPs operational in the first quarter of next year. In addition to the investment already made in the BCPs, my Department is planning to develop the facilities and services available at the sites. Many of them will provide remote working facilities which will be important to support those working from rural areas.
The Broadband Officers are the single point of contact in each Local Authority for matters concerning telecoms deployments. These officers engage closely with both National Broadband Ireland, the company contracted to deliver the NBP, and with officials from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.
My Department supports the Broadband Officers with an annual subvention to the Local Authorities of €42,000 towards each of their salary costs. My Department also convenes up to ten Broadband Officer network meetings each year. These meetings provide an opportunity for direct contact between Government officials, telecoms operators and Broadband Officers.
18. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her views on the need for rural communities to have an appropriate range of services of all kinds available locally to ensure their needs can be met in their local communities; her views on whether communities that can provide for themselves are happier communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44157/20]
View answerFor many rural dwellers, access to essential services, including high-speed broadband, healthcare, and public transport, is a priority concern. The current pandemic has further demonstrated the importance of local services.
My Department is currently finalising an ambitious new rural development policy to cover the period 2021–2025, which seeks to enhance the vibrancy of rural areas, including through improved local services.
The policy will adopt a whole-of-Government approach and will complement other Government policies and initiatives.
COVID-19 has further highlighted the particular challenges that exist for different cohorts of people, such as marginalised or vulnerable communities, the elderly, and young people. In order to support these groups effectively, the new rural development policy will recognise that services should be available, accessible and, to the greatest extent possible, appropriate to a person’s age or circumstances.
With regard to the wellbeing of communities, my Department’s five-year Strategy for the Community and Voluntary sector aims to support communities to contribute, engage and participate in decision-making and policy implementation. The strategy was co-produced with, and is being implemented alongside, the Community and Voluntary sector.
Many of the Strategy’s actions relate to building the capacity of communities to participate and engage on an ongoing basis. This reflects my Department’s objective to ensure that communities are engaged in decision-making and policy processes that impact on their lives. It also reflects an understanding that enabling communities to support themselves can build more sustainable and, ultimately more satisfied and fulfilled, communities.
19. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the resources that have been allocated to support a programme (details supplied) throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43167/20]
View answerMeals on Wheels organisations make an invaluable contribution to community life in Ireland and have supported many vulnerable individuals during the pandemic.
My Department provided a range of supports in 2020 which Meals on Wheels organisations could avail of to fund different aspects of their work. Some of the supports announced include:
- In June, the Department launched the Community Enhancement Programme with funding of €2m available. In August, a separate €5m capital fund under the same Programme for community groups was announced. While these are now closed it is planned to run the programme again in 2021.
- On November 20th , I announced funding of €340,000, under the CLÁR Programme, for 45 successful projects under Measure 3(a) - Meals on Wheels and linked services. This funding enables these organisations to purchase equipment and make adaptations to existing vehicles to support the provision of their services.
- The Community Services Programme (CSP) continues to support over 420 community organisations to provide local services through a social enterprise model, some of which provide a Meals on Wheels service. During the COVID-19 crisis my Department developed a €4.75m Support Fund to assist CSP-supported organisations retain their CSP-supported employees on their payroll and also provides assistance for the Employers PRSI contribution, during this crisis period and until April 2021.
- My Department also recently launched a €1.7m COVID-19 Emergency Fund, which these and other groups can apply for. Further details are available from the Local Community Development Committees that administer this fund locally. This follows on from a previous €2.5m round of this fund which focussed on groups involved in the Community Call initiative, such as Meals on Wheels organisations.
20. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the level of funding allocated to each local authority for the local improvement scheme in 2020; the proposed allocation by county for 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43973/20]
View answerThe Local Improvement Scheme, or LIS, is a programme for improvement works on small private or non-public roads in rural areas which are not under the normal maintenance of the Local Authorities. The scheme is funded by my Department and is administered through the relevant Local Authorities.
Since the LIS was re-launched in 2017, over €58 million has been allocated to Local Authorities for improvements to over 2,300 qualifying roads under the scheme. This funding has made a significant difference to the access provided by these roads for over 10,000 beneficiaries.
An allocation of €10 million was made available for the LIS in 2020. Works under the 2020 scheme have now been completed with all funding has been drawn down by the Local Authorities. The 2020 LIS allocation for each county can be found on my Department's pages on the Gov.ie website. The level of funding for each county varied from a minimum of €250,000, to a maximum of €900,000, depending on the size of the county.
Recognising the value of the scheme for people living in rural areas, I secured an increase in the allocation for the Local Improvement Scheme in Budget 2021. Funding for the scheme next year will increase by 5%, to €10.5 million. The share of funding to be distributed to each county will be announced next year when I formally launch the 2021 scheme.
21. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the timescale for the commencement of an interim LEADER programme in 2021; if this programme will be funded through the national Exchequer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43926/20]
View answer79. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding provision for an extension in 2021 of the existing LEADER programme and the proposals to fund the work of local development companies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43925/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 79 together.
Due to delays at EU level, there will be a delay between the end of the current LEADER programme, which was due to conclude at the end of this year, and the next EU programme which will not now commence until 2023. The Programme for Government includes a commitment to introduce a transitional LEADER programme to bridge that gap.
Yesterday, I announced details of the Transitional LEADER Programme, which will come into effect from 1st April 2021 for new project approvals. Local Action Groups (LAGs), who deliver the LEADER programme at ground level, can work on identifying potential projects from 1st January next.
I also announced some flexibilities to the current LEADER programme, including extending the deadline for commitments to the end of March 2021 to facilitate the full allocation of the funds available.
There is still a lack of clarity concerning the availability of EU co-funding during the transitional period between the current LEADER programme and the next EU framework for LEADER. I have therefore provided an initial allocation of €20 million from the Exchequer for the Transitional LEADER Programme.
This allocation will fund both new project applications and the administration and animation costs of the LAGs. I have also undertaken to review the funding situation when the issue of EU co-financing for the transitional period is clarified.
My Department has written to all of the Local Action Groups, providing a detailed outline of the Transitional Programme, including their respective financial allocations.
In addition to providing funding for the Transitional LEADER Programme, a further €7 million will be provided to the Local Action Groups in 2021 for the on-going management and delivery of projects still running under the 2014-2020 LEADER programme.
22. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if consideration will be given to creating an online one stop shop for community groups and organisations in which all available grants and criteria are laid out in one place for the numerous organisations that seek funding to make the process easier; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43915/20]
View answerMy Department's mission is “To promote rural and community development and to support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland".
A key part of achieving this mission is regularly reaching out to organisations in the community and voluntary sector through consultation, engagement and outreach regarding the Department's policies and all of our programmes. This allows us to ensure that those most in need are able to access services and supports and that we deliver outcomes that positively impact the quality of life of those living and working in our communities. This has been of particular importance during the COVID-19 pandemic this year, where such communication has assisted us in identifying supports or funding needs and the most appropriate remedial or proactive measures that can be taken in response.
One example of proactive interaction with communities was the delivery in 2019, in conjunction with Pobal, of a series of 'Helping Hands' events nationwide, to engage with communities and create awareness and understanding of our funding programmes. Feedback from these interactions was very positive, and it is hoped that similar events can be scheduled in the future when it is safe to do so.
Furthermore, Action 4.2 in Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities, our a five-year strategy for the community and voluntary sector commits to the development of a more streamlined approach to the requirements for community and voluntary sector organisations when accessing funding from the State. This is a cross government action that will require ongoing collaboration between the State and the sector over the next few years to implement.
My Department will also be taking the lead on a commitment in the Social Inclusion Roadmap to renew and refresh the system and level of engagement between Government bodies and the community and voluntary sector. In the new year, we will be examining the best ways to improve our relationships with the sector, building on the work of the Cross Sectoral Group that developed Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities: A Five-Year Strategy to Support the Community and Voluntary Sector in Ireland 2019-2024.
In the interim, there is a wealth of material available on my Department's website, www.drcd.gov.ie, which outlines in significant detail the funding programmes and schemes available through my Department.
23. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the resources that have been allocated to support an organisation (details supplied) throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43166/20]
View answerMen’s and Women’s Sheds make an invaluable contribution to community life in Ireland. My Department provides a range of supports which Men's/Women's Sheds can avail of, some of which provide specifically for costs incurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In June, I launched the 2020 Community Enhancement Programme with funding of €2m. In August, the Department launched a separate €5m fund under the same Programme. These provided capital grants to community groups, and the Sheds were eligible to apply. While these are now closed it is planned to run the programme again in 2021.
My Department also recently launched a €1.7m COVID-19 Emergency Fund , which Sheds and other community groups can apply for. Further details are available from the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) that administer this fund locally.
Men's and Women's Shed Groups could also potentially be eligible for funding under the LEADER Programme. Relevant details are available on the National Rural Network website.
My Department also has responsibility for the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP). This programme has provided support to a total of 2,533 local community groups to date in 2020. This includes 146 Men’s Sheds and 10 Women’s Sheds. This support will continue to be available throughout the current iteration of SICAP which runs until 2022.
The Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO) provides multiannual core funding to national organisations in the Community and Voluntary sector. The Irish Men’s Sheds Association has been allocated €270,000 over the 36 month period of the scheme, which commenced in July 2019 and which will run to July 2022.
The Community and Voluntary Sector COVID-19 Stability Fund was a targeted once-off cash injection for organisations and groups currently delivering critical front-line services to the most at need in our society and in danger of imminent closure due to lost fund-raised or traded income as a direct result of restrictions to counter the spread of COVID-19. To date, funding of €31m has been allocated to close to 600 organisations. I was pleased to allocate €48,485 to the Men'/Women's Sheds organisation under this Fund to support them in their work.
24. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding that will be provided in County Kilkenny under the local improvement scheme in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43601/20]
View answer37. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding that will be provided in County Carlow under the local improvement scheme in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43599/20]
View answer39. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding that will be provided in counties Offaly and Laois under the local improvement scheme in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43603/20]
View answer49. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding that will be provided in counties Longford and Westmeath under the local improvement scheme in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43609/20]
View answer59. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding that will be provided in County Tipperary under the local improvement scheme in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43605/20]
View answer77. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding that will be provided in counties Sligo and Leitrim under the local improvement scheme in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43607/20]
View answer669. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding that will be provided in County Cork under the local improvement scheme in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43595/20]
View answer670. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding that will be provided in County Clare under the local improvement scheme in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43597/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 24, 37, 39, 49, 59, 77, 669 and 670 together.
The Local Improvement Scheme, or LIS, is a programme for improvement works on small private or non-public roads in rural areas which are not under the normal maintenance of the Local Authorities. The scheme is funded by my Department and is administered through the relevant Local Authorities.
Since the LIS was re-launched in 2017, over €58 million has been allocated to Local Authorities for improvements to qualifying roads under the scheme.
An allocation of €10 million was made available in 2020 for the Local Improvement Scheme and all of the funding allocated has now been drawn down by the Local Authorities. The 2020 LIS allocation for each county can be found on the Gov.ie website at: https://www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/d309ea-local-improvement-scheme/.
Recognising the value of the scheme for people living in rural areas, I was pleased to secure an increase in the allocation for LIS in Budget 2021. Funding for the scheme next year will increase by 5%, to €10.5 million. The share of this funding to be distributed to each of the relevant Local Authorities will be announced when I formally launch the 2021 scheme next year.
