Written Answers Nos. 1709-1728
1709. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the cost of implementing a living wage of €11.70 for all persons directly employed or in agencies funded by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37274/17]
View answer1710. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the cost of implementing a living wage of €11.70 for all employees directly employed or in agencies funded by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37275/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1709 and 1710 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.
We are also in the process of assessing the required needs of my Department with regards to corporate resourcing.
Negotiations are ongoing with these 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 deputy with a full breakdown of requested information on completion of this process.
1711. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the supports available from his Department for owners of buildings in regional and rural towns in which the full building is not being used for commercial or residential purposes and could be used for housing if the upper stories of the building could be renovated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37276/17]
View answerThe Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development contains a number of measures which have the objective of rejuvenating Ireland’s rural towns and villages to make them more attractive places in which to live and work, and to increase their tourism potential.
An enhanced Town and Village Renewal Scheme was launched on 13th April last, with a focus on improving the economic development of our rural towns and villages. It is envisaged that this scheme will support up to 300 towns and villages over the next 12 months.
My officials have separately been examining the potential for developing a pilot scheme to encourage residential occupancy in rural towns and villages. The pilot will consider ways in which properties that are currently not in use in town centres can be renovated to allow them to be used for residential purposes. This will help to rejuvenate town centres while also helping to contribute to the housing needs of individuals.
The initiative is being developed in consultation with relevant Departments.
1712. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the allocation to the CLÁR programme in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017; the number of projects funded each year under the programme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37277/17]
View answer1747. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the allocation to the CLÁR programme each year since 2011; and the number of projects funded under the programme. [38417/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1712 and 1747 together.
The CLÁR programme provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects in disadvantaged rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population. CLÁR was effectively closed to new applications from 2010 and any funding provided over the period 2011-2015 was in respect of commitments made prior to 2010.
I re-launched the CLÁR programme in 2016, and €8.293 million was allocated to 651 successful projects last year.
The 2017 CLÁR programme was launched in March of this year, with a closing date of 5 May. In total, more than 500 applications were received and 231 successful projects were approved for funding, to a value of just under €7 million.
Table 1 provides details of the total funding provided and/or allocated through the CLÁR programme each year from 2011 to 2017. All funding provided over the period 2011-2015 was in respect of earlier commitments made under different Departmental configurations.
Table 1 – Funding provided under the CLÁR programme 2011-2015
|
Year |
Funding provided/approved (€) |
Number of Projects
|
|
2011 |
348,000 |
N/A |
|
2012 |
91,000 |
N/A |
|
2013 |
105,000 |
N/A |
|
2014 |
49,253 |
N/A |
|
2015 |
0 |
N/A |
|
2016 |
8,238,866 |
651 |
|
2017 |
6,912,350 |
231 |
1713. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding allocation to the rural renovation scheme; the number of projects funded under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37278/17]
View answer1748. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the allocation to the rural renovation scheme for each year since it has been established. [38418/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1713 and 1748 together.
The Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development contains a number of measures which have the objective of rejuvenating Ireland’s rural towns and villages to make them more attractive places in which to live and work, and to increase their tourism potential.
An enhanced Town and Village Renewal Scheme was launched on 13th April last, with a focus on improving the economic development of our rural towns and villages. It is envisaged that this scheme will support up to 300 towns and villages over the next 12 months.
My officials have separately been examining the potential for developing a pilot scheme to encourage residential occupancy in rural towns and villages. The pilot will consider ways in which properties that are currently not in use in town and village centres can be renovated to allow them to be used for residential purposes. This will further help to rejuvenate town centres while also contributing to the housing needs of individuals.
The initiative is being developed in consultation with relevant Departments.
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.
1715. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of applications made per county to the CLÁR programme; the number of local authorities that have written seeking additional funding; the amount of funding granted by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37280/17]
View answerThe 2017 CLÁR programme was launched on 31 March last, with a closing date of 5 May. Funding for the programme was available this year under four separate Measures:
Measure 1: Support for School and Community Safety Measures
Measure 2: Play Areas
Measure 3: Targeted Community Infrastructure
Measure 4: First Responder Supports
Over 500 applications were received across the four Measures to the value of €15 million.
Funding to support projects under CLÁR this year was limited and it was not possible to fund all applications. In general, applications were assessed on the basis of their eligibility under the scheme criteria and on the quality of the documentation supporting their proposals.
A total of 231 successful projects were approved for funding, with a total allocation of just under €7 million across the four Measures. While individual projects may have been disappointed not to have received funding, I am not aware that any Local Authority has written seeking additional funding under the CLÁR Programme.
Table 1 outlines the number of applications received by county under the CLÁR programme in 2017, together with the number of successful projects and the amount of funding approved.
Table 1 - CLÁR 2017: Number of Projects and funding approved by county
|
County |
Total No. of applications received |
No. of successful projects |
Amount Approved |
|
Carlow |
5 |
5 |
€178,760 |
|
Cavan |
29 |
12 |
€310,182 |
|
Clare |
21 |
10 |
€351,733 |
|
Cork |
27 |
9 |
€260,916 |
|
Donegal |
36 |
10 |
€245,482 |
|
Galway |
28 |
15 |
€611,539 |
|
Kerry |
29 |
8 |
€261,173 |
|
Kilkenny |
15 |
4 |
€161,932 |
|
Laois |
20 |
5 |
€51,395 |
|
Leitrim |
21 |
17 |
€486,153 |
|
Limerick |
24 |
10 |
€180,533 |
|
Longford |
24 |
12 |
€283,467 |
|
Louth |
20 |
10 |
€245,869 |
|
Mayo |
29 |
22 |
€879,882 |
|
Meath |
11 |
4 |
€104,000 |
|
Monaghan |
22 |
16 |
€594,338 |
|
Offaly |
22 |
9 |
€186,954 |
|
Roscommon |
22 |
12 |
€372,441 |
|
Sligo |
23 |
9 |
€351,216 |
|
Tipperary |
25 |
15 |
€250,714 |
|
Waterford |
28 |
10 |
€329,549 |
|
Westmeath |
24 |
3 |
€81,097 |
|
Wicklow |
16 |
4 |
€133,025 |
|
Total |
521 |
231 |
€6,912,350 |
1716. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the projects funded under the town and village scheme, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37281/17]
View answer1717. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of applications received under the town and village renewal scheme; the amount of funding sought; the number that received funding for 2016, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37282/17]
View answer1749. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the allocation to the town and village renewal scheme each year since it has been established; and the amount of funding sought by local authorities under the scheme. [38419/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1716, 1717 and 1749 together.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme was launched in August 2016 as part of the Government’s programme to support rural development. A budget of €10 million was made available for the scheme in 2016 and, from this budget, a sum of €380,000 was made available to each of the 26 counties.
Local Authorities, in conjunction with local communities and businesses, were invited to submit up to 8 proposals each from within that allocation, for approval. A total of 170 projects were approved in 2016 and the table below shows the number of projects funded on a county basis. A listing of all successful projects in 2016 can be found on my Department's website at http://drcd.gov.ie/subheader1/town-village-renewal-scheme/.
An enhanced Town and Village Renewal Scheme was launched on 13th April this year, with a focus on improving the economic development of our rural towns and villages. It is envisaged that €20 million in funding will be invested in supporting projects in up to 300 towns and villages over the next 12 months.
Selection of projects will be by means of a competitive process. Local Authorities were asked to consult with community and business interests in towns and villages in their areas and to submit up to 15 proposals for consideration by my Department.
The assessment process in respect of the 2017 scheme is nearing completion and I hope to be in a position to announce the successful projects shortly.
Table 1 - Town & Village Renewal Scheme 2016:
Number projects approved by county
|
County |
No. of projects funded |
|
Carlow |
7 |
|
Cavan |
7 |
|
Clare |
4 |
|
Cork |
8 |
|
Donegal |
5 |
|
Dublin (Fingal) |
7 |
|
Galway |
8 |
|
Kerry |
6 |
|
Kildare |
6 |
|
Kilkenny |
4 |
|
Laois |
7 |
|
Leitrim |
8 |
|
Limerick |
8 |
|
Longford |
8 |
|
Louth |
8 |
|
Mayo |
4 |
|
Meath |
8 |
|
Monaghan |
8 |
|
Offaly |
4 |
|
Roscommon |
8 |
|
Sligo |
4 |
|
Tipperary |
5 |
|
Waterford |
6 |
|
Westmeath |
7 |
|
Wexford |
8 |
|
Wicklow |
7 |
|
Total |
170 |
1718. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of applications and the amount of funding sought under the rural recreation scheme; the number of projects refused funding under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37283/17]
View answer1719. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of applications for funding under the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37284/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1718 and 1719 together.
The Rural Recreation Scheme was introduced as a formal programme in 2016 and was re-titled the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme in 2017. The scheme supports the development and promotion of new recreational facilities and the maintenance of existing recreational infrastructure throughout rural Ireland.
The 2017 scheme was launched last April, with applications invited under three Measures:
Measure 1: Small Scale Maintenance/Promotion and Marketing
Measure 2: Medium Scale Repair/Upgrade and New Trail Development
Measure 3: Large Scale Repair/Upgrade and New Strategy Trail Development
376 applications for funding were received under these Measures, with a total value in excess of €27 million. The table below outlines the number of applications received and the funding requested on a county basis. Some applications were also received from State bodies under Measure 3, in accordance with the provisions of the scheme.
To date, 219 projects with a value of €11.4 million have been approved under the scheme under Measures 1 and 3, and these will be implemented over a 15 month period. Successful projects under Measure 2 have yet to be announced.
Details of the successful projects are available on my Department’s website at: http://drcd.gov.ie/about/rural/rural-development/rural-recreation/approved-schemes-2017/.
The number of projects and funding approved each year is contingent on the budgetary provision available.
|
Measure 1 |
||||
|
County |
No. Applied |
Amount Requested |
No.Approved |
No. Unsuccessful |
|
Carlow |
5 |
€40,500 |
4 |
1 |
|
Cavan |
2 |
€20,000 |
2 |
0 |
|
Clare |
9 |
€83,917 |
6 |
3 |
|
Cork |
15 |
€138,020 |
12 |
3 |
|
Donegal |
9 |
€76,200 |
8 |
1 |
|
Dublin South |
4 |
€40,000 |
3 |
1 |
|
Fingal |
7 |
€70,846 |
4 |
3 |
|
Galway |
6 |
€53,500 |
5 |
1 |
|
Kerry |
15 |
€134,215 |
13 |
2 |
|
Kildare |
0 |
€0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Kilkenny |
6 |
€44,610 |
5 |
1 |
|
Laois |
8 |
€51,860 |
8 |
0 |
|
Leitrim |
13 |
€119,500 |
10 |
3 |
|
Limerick |
15 |
€135,270 |
15 |
0 |
|
Longford |
13 |
€105,159 |
12 |
1 |
|
Louth |
1 |
€8,500 |
1 |
0 |
|
Mayo |
17 |
€159,076 |
15 |
2 |
|
Meath |
6 |
€52,000 |
6 |
0 |
|
Monaghan |
15 |
€136,730 |
10 |
5 |
|
Offaly |
5 |
€40,115 |
5 |
0 |
|
Roscommon |
15 |
€118,041 |
15 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
16 |
€137,990 |
15 |
1 |
|
Tipperary |
7 |
€47,600 |
5 |
2 |
|
Waterford |
9 |
€70,600 |
9 |
0 |
|
Westmeath |
15 |
€149,310 |
15 |
0 |
|
Wexford |
2 |
€16,450 |
1 |
1 |
|
Wicklow |
6 |
€48,066 |
3 |
3 |
|
Inland Fisheries |
0 |
|||
|
Coillte |
0 |
|||
|
Udaras |
0 |
|||
|
Heritage Council |
0 |
|||
|
Total |
241 |
€2,098,075 |
207 |
34 |
Table Cont
|
Measure 2 |
Measure 3 |
|||||
|
County |
No. Applied |
Amount Requested |
No.Applied |
Amount Requested |
No.Approved |
No.Unsuccessful |
|
Carlow |
2 |
€159,000 |
1 |
€260,000 |
1 |
|
|
Cavan |
4 |
€263,927 |
1 |
€597,310 |
1 |
0 |
|
Clare |
4 |
€249,166 |
1 |
€1,000,000 |
1 |
|
|
Cork |
4 |
€362,000 |
1 |
€1,000,000 |
1 |
0 |
|
Donegal |
6 |
€348,400 |
1 |
€234,723 |
1 |
|
|
Dublin South |
2 |
€200,000 |
1 |
€750,000 |
1 |
0 |
|
Fingal |
4 |
€234,000 |
1 |
€200,000 |
1 |
|
|
Galway |
7 |
€351,850 |
1 |
€137,040 |
1 |
|
|
Kerry |
4 |
€383,920 |
1 |
€448,527 |
1 |
|
|
Kildare |
0 |
€0 |
0 |
0 |
||
|
Kilkenny |
4 |
€114,800 |
1 |
€250,630 |
1 |
|
|
Laois |
3 |
€266,687 |
||||
|
Leitrim |
3 |
€300,000 |
1 |
€955,153 |
1 |
|
|
Limerick |
3 |
€254,614 |
1 |
€1,000,000 |
1 |
|
|
Longford |
5 |
€217,000 |
1 |
€350,000 |
1 |
|
|
Louth |
4 |
€281,791 |
||||
|
Mayo |
9 |
€796,000 |
1 |
€984,000 |
1 |
|
|
Meath |
4 |
€222,760 |
1 |
€1,000,000 |
1 |
|
|
Monaghan |
6 |
€425,200 |
1 |
€370,525 |
1 |
|
|
Offaly |
2 |
€200,000 |
1 |
€1,152,100 |
1 |
|
|
Roscommon |
4 |
€228,728 |
||||
|
Sligo |
5 |
€289,452 |
1 |
€840,285 |
1 |
|
|
Tipperary |
4 |
€260,296 |
1 |
€599,360 |
1 |
|
|
Waterford |
3 |
€123,400 |
1 |
€199,000 |
1 |
|
|
Westmeath |
4 |
€204,509 |
1 |
€784,324 |
1 |
|
|
Wexford |
3 |
€224,394 |
1 |
€342,800 |
1 |
|
|
Wicklow |
5 |
€332,200 |
1 |
€627,200 |
1 |
|
|
Inland Fisheries |
1 |
€199,621 |
1 |
|||
|
Coillte |
1 |
€2,000,000 |
1 |
|||
|
Udaras |
1 |
€736,000 |
1 |
|||
|
Heritage Council |
1 |
€986,692 |
1 |
|||
|
Total |
108 |
€7,294,094 |
27 |
€18,005,290 |
12 |
15 |
1720. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the level of State funding to the Western Development Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37285/17]
View answer1751. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the allocation and details of all State funding to the Western Development Commission over the past five years. [38421/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1720 and 1751 together.
The Western Development Commission (WDC) was established on a statutory footing in 1999 under the Western Development Commission Act, 1998. The main aim of the Commission is to promote, foster and encourage economic and social development in the Western Region, covering counties Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo, Roscommon, Galway and Clare.
The Exchequer allocations for the Western Development Commission in each of the five years from 2013 to 2017 inclusive are detailed on Table 1 below. The figures reflect the published Revised Estimates Volume for the years in question.
I have recently appointed a new Board to the WDC to continue to work to maximise the potential of the Western region.
Table 1 – REV allocations 2013-2017, Western Development Commission
|
Year |
Current €000 |
Capital €000 |
Total €000 |
|
2013 |
1,531 |
- |
1,531 |
|
2014 |
1,521 |
- |
1,521 |
|
2015 |
1,488 |
- |
1,488 |
|
2016 |
1,488 |
1,000 |
2,488 |
|
2017 |
1,495 |
1,000 |
2,495 |
1721. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of money paid by his Department for town and village renewal and under the CLÁR programme. respectively, by county, towards the close of 2016 for work to be done in 2017; the amount of expenditure that has been incurred to date in each county in respect of the money allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37286/17]
View answerTable 1 provides details of the funding allocated to each Local Authority and the most up to date expenditure information available in respect of the 2016 Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the 2016 CLÁR Programme.
My Department is keeping expenditure on these programmes under constant review to ensure that all money spent is in accordance with the project proposals and in line with the Public Spending Code.
My officials are currently in the process of compiling an updated expenditure outturn to 31 August, in consultation with the Local Authorities.
Table 1 - Rural Development Schemes 2016: Allocations and Expenditure
|
|
Town and Village Renewal |
CLÁR |
||
|
Local Authority |
Allocation |
Expenditure to 1/6/2017 |
Allocation |
Expenditure to 1/6/2017 |
|
Carlow |
€380,000.00 |
€354,534.00 |
€80,000.00 |
€68,000.00 |
|
Cavan |
€380,000.00 |
€16,000.00 |
€498,184.00 |
€73,355.80 |
|
Clare |
€380,000.00 |
€121,381.00 |
€284,000.00 |
€39,000.00 |
|
Cork |
€380,000.00 |
€0.00 |
€562,222.00 |
€137,510.00 |
|
Donegal |
€380,000.00 |
€0.00 |
€878,632.00 |
€45,324.20 |
|
Dublin (Fingal) |
€380,000.00 |
€274,368.53 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
Galway |
€380,000.00 |
€229,285.78 |
€392,000.00 |
€163,059.87 |
|
Kerry |
€380,000.00 |
€328,790.00 |
€744,964.00 |
€409,503.00 |
|
Kildare |
€380,000.00 |
€119,730.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
Kilkenny |
€380,000.00 |
€34,108.28 |
€223,000.00 |
€77,082.87 |
|
Laois |
€380,000.00 |
€118,940.00 |
€148,900.00 |
€130,500.00 |
|
Leitrim |
€380,000.00 |
€367,909.64 |
€274,800.00 |
€0.00 |
|
Limerick |
€380,000.00 |
€242,742.00 |
€235,000.00 |
€206,500.00 |
|
Longford |
€380,000.00 |
€380,000.00 |
€237,560.00 |
€35,040.00 |
|
Louth |
€380,000.00 |
€342,675.00 |
€173,520.00 |
€74,295.00 |
|
Mayo |
€380,000.00 |
€321,615.00 |
€976,869.00 |
€366,559.00 |
|
Meath |
€380,000.00 |
€298,260.00 |
€127,600.00 |
€121,672.00 |
|
Monaghan |
€380,000.00 |
€338,243.00 |
€356,440.00 |
€231,644.78 |
|
Offaly |
€380,000.00 |
€0.00 |
€123,398.00 |
€104,522.50 |
|
Roscommon |
€380,000.00 |
€181,906.50 |
€406,497.40 |
€394,528.85 |
|
Sligo |
€380,000.00 |
€380,000.00 |
€598,400.00 |
€240,100.00 |
|
Tipperary |
€380,000.00 |
€254,225.00 |
€371,000.00 |
€176,080.87 |
|
Waterford |
€380,000.00 |
€338,000.00 |
€261,600.00 |
€232,172.15 |
|
Westmeath |
€380,000.00 |
€146,263.41 |
€214,280.00 |
€14,436.70 |
|
Wexford |
€380,000.00 |
€197,227.77 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
Wicklow |
€380,000.00 |
€202,083.00 |
€70,000.00 |
€5,675.00 |
|
Total |
€9,880,000.00 |
€5,588,287.91 |
€8,238,866.40 |
€3,346,562.59 |
1722. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to ensure the full spend of all funding provided to his Department for 2017 including carry-over of capital from 2016 and prepayments to local authorities made in 2016 or 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37288/17]
View answer1724. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to ensure the full spend of funds transferred to his Department in 2017 under transfer of functions orders including the completion of works for which funding was prepaid to local authorities in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37290/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1722 and 1724 together.
My officials are currently in the process of finalising the Vote structure and 2017 allocation for my new Department with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The Vote will include funding transferring in accordance with the transfer of functions orders, and will include Capital funding for Rural Development programmes. Expenditure from my Department's new Vote will be made in line with the Public Spending Code. Regular spending reports will be compiled to track progress and take corrective action, where necessary.
With regard to payments made to Local Authorities under the Rural Development Programmes in 2016, all funding was provided in accordance with sanctions received from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and on the basis of Funding Agreements with the Local Authorities.
My Department is keeping expenditure on these programmes under constant review. As part of this process, my officials actively engage on an ongoing basis with the Local Authorities to establish the current position with regard to project completion and expenditure.
The Local Authorities will be required to account for all funding received and a programme of inspections will also be carried out to ensure that the funding is spent in accordance with the original project proposals.
1723. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the further schemes he plans on rolling out under the CLÁR scheme in 2017; if this will include a local improvement scheme element; if so, whether there will be co-funding from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport for such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37289/17]
View answerI have allocated a total of €7 million to projects right across the country under four separate Measures of the CLÁR programme this year. I currently do not plan to roll out any further schemes under the CLÁR programme in 2017.
However, I am currently in the process of examining the possibility of introducing a Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) in 2017 to support the maintenance and improvement of non-public roads and laneways, many of which are in CLÁR areas. In this regard, my Department wrote to relevant Local Authorities recently to establish the level of demand for such a scheme and the capacity of the Local Authorities to complete works under a scheme by the end of this year.
Local Authorities were asked to provide information to my Department by 14 September to assist me in making an informed decision regarding the potential impact and feasibility of introducing an LIS. It is not possible to extend this deadline if decisions are to be made around the possibility of introducing a scheme this year and making funding available quickly from the 2017 funding envelope.
I will consider the position in full on receipt of the information requested from the Local Authorities.
1726. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the reason Leader funding is not disbursed in a timely manner; the amount of funding sought by groups in County Kerry to date in 2017; the amount allocated to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37543/17]
View answerFunding Agreements with Local Action Groups (LAGs) for the delivery of the 2014-2020 LEADER programme were signed in the second half of 2016. Since then, the LAGs have been working to establish their programmes locally and encourage applications.
The Funding Agreement for delivery of the new LEADER 2014-2020 Programme in the Kerry sub-regional area was signed on 8 July 2016, with approved funding of approximately €10.219 million over the lifetime of the programme.
In light of concerns raised by project promoters and LAGs concerning the pace of approval of projects under the LEADER programme, a forum was held on May 17 last with participants from all of the Local Action Groups and the Local Development Companies delivering LEADER, including representatives from the Kerry LAG. The forum provided a platform to explore the administrative issues impacting on project approvals, and to identify potential solutions to the issues identified.
The forum was very productive and participants identified a number of areas where they felt procedures could be streamlined. My officials reviewed all of the contributions made at the forum and identified a significant number of administrative changes that could be made to simplify and improve the delivery of the LEADER Programme. Many of these improvements have already been implemented, with the remaining actions coming into effect over the coming months.
More than 170 eligible expressions of interest from potential applicants in County Kerry have been recorded on the LEADER ICT system. To date, 93 of these project applications with a value of €1,588,253 have been fully approved for LEADER funding by Kerry Local Community Development Committee.
I understand that the LAG is continuing to work through the expressions of interest with a view to assisting project promoters in developing and finalising further project applications.
On the basis of the progress now being made in Kerry, and the administrative changes which have been introduced, I anticipate a significant increase in LEADER project approvals in Kerry over the coming months.
1727. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the clubs and organisations approved in each county and local authority area for funding under the community facilities scheme 2017; and the amounts that were approved. [37756/17]
View answerMy Department’s Communities Facilities Scheme, which launched on 10 March, has a total allocation of €2 million for 2017. The Scheme is being administered on behalf of the Department by Local Community Development Committees under the remit of the Local Authorities. The closing date for receipt of applications was 30 June however the selection process is ongoing.
Each of the 31 Local Authorities will be provided with an equal allocation of €64,500 and arrangements for the transfer of these funds to the local authorities have been completed.
Further information on the Scheme can be found on the Department's website at the following link: http://drcd.gov.ie/community/communities-facilities-scheme/.
1728. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if his attention has been drawn to recent publicity regarding an organisation's (details supplied) work here on the establishment of a public banking network; if the organisation invited officials from the Department for Finance and his Department to participate in a field trip to Germany to examine the public banking network there; the technical assistance the organisation offered the Government in respect of the establishment of a public banking network here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37768/17]
View answer1736. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if his attention has been drawn to recent publicity on an organisation's (details supplied) work here regarding the establishment of a public banking network; if the organisation invited officials from the Department of Finance and his Department to participate in a field trip to Germany to examine the public banking network there; the technical assistance the organisation offered the Government in respect of the establishment of a public banking network here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38100/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1728 and 1736 together.
The Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to investigate a German model for the development of local public banks that operate within well-defined regions.
As a part of this investigation, my officials, along with officials from the Department of Finance, met with the organisation referred to by the Deputy on 2 March 2017. Representatives from the organisation gave a presentation outlining the German public banking model and offered their expertise and assistance if the Government wished to proceed with establishing a similar model in Ireland. An invitation has been extended to the Irish authorities to travel to Germany to obtain further information.
The engagement with the organisation in question was just one element of the process of investigating the model of local public banking. A public consultation process on the matter was launched in early March and ran for four weeks, to 29 March. My officials received a total of 16 replies from a range of stakeholders and all submissions were considered.
My officials, together with officials from the Department of Finance, are currently finalising a report on the merits of establishing a local public banking model in Ireland. Their work is now near completion and a report will be submitted to me and to the Minister for Finance shortly for consideration.
