Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2017
1714. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the date the transfer order pertaining to the functions of his Department will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37279/17]
View answer1725. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the functions transferred to his Department from the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and other Departments since the passing of the legislation enabling the setting up of his Department; the funding that has been transferred to date to his department; the number, grade and location of all staff working for his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37291/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1714 and 1725 together.
The Department of Rural and Community Development was established following the enactment of the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act, 2017 on 19 July 2017.
Functions transferred to my Department include the Rural Division from the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, the Community Division from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, and the Charities Regulatory Authority from the Department of Justice and Equality.
These functions, including the associated budgets and programmes, were transferred via the following Statutory Instruments:
No. 348 of 2017 - Charities (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2017,
No. 354 of 2017 - Rural Affairs (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2017, and
No. 357 of 2017 - Community Development (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2017.
The Department is in the process of assessing its required needs with regards to corporate resourcing. Negotiations are ongoing with the above named Departments and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to determine the final staffing compliment of my Department.
This will be finalised in due course and I will provide the Deputies with a full breakdown of requested information on completion of this process.
