Written Answers Nos. 61-69
61. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he has met with or plans to meet with the members of the Charities Regulatory Authority; his views on the regulation of charity; his further views on the role of charity here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1784/18]
View answerResponsibility for the Charities Regulatory Authority was assigned to the Minister for Rural and Community Development in July 2017 and was delegated to me, as Minister of State, in September last.
I met with both the Chairperson and the CEO of the Charities Regulatory Authority on the assumption of this responsibility. In addition, I am advised that there have been a number of familiarisation meetings between senior officials in the Department and their counterparts in the Authority. As part of the Department's oversight role, there are also scheduled governance meetings between the Chief Executive Officer and senior officials in my Department.
As the Deputy may be aware the Charities Regulatory Authority (“the Charities Regulator”) was established on 16 October, 2014 pursuant to the Charities Act 2009. The Regulator is the State organisation responsible for registering and regulating all of Ireland’s charities. The Charities Regulator is independent in the performance of its statutory functions.
Regulation of the charity sector is essential to enhance public trust and confidence in the governance, management and administration of charities in this country and to guard against exploitation of charitable causes by unscrupulous, unprincipled or unethical individuals. Better oversight of charities will secure the future of the charity sector which plays a key role in our civil society and helps to create and maintain vibrant communities.
Prior to the final delegation of functions at the Department I attended, with Minister Michael Ring, the launch of fundraising guidelines for charities. These guidelines aim to protect charities and promote public confidence in the organisations.
62. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will report on the applications to the Dormant Accounts Fund in 2017; the amount of funding disbursed; the number of projects and initiatives supported through the fund in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1220/18]
View answerThe legislation governing the Dormant Accounts Funds provides a framework for the disbursement of funds for measures targeted at socially, economically and educationally disadvantage people, and people with a disability. The funding is allocated through a three-year Disbursement Scheme, underpinned by annual Action Plans which set out specific programmes to be funded each year.
My Department coordinates the preparation of the Disbursement Scheme and the Annual Action Plans across Government.
The Dormant Account Action Plan for 2017 was published by my Department in July 2017. The Plan allocated €40.4 million to 40 different measures across a range of Government Departments and agencies. Full details of the measures are contained in the Dormant Accounts Fund Action Plan which is available on my Department’s website.
Monies in the Dormant Accounts Fund are managed by the National Treasury Management Agency, and requests for the draw-down of funds in respect of individual measures are made by the relevant Government Departments directly to the Agency. While the final draw-down information for 2017 is still being finalised, I understand that total disbursements from the Fund in 2017 were in the region of €16 million. This figure would include draw-downs in respect of some measures which were approved prior to 2017, under previous Action Plans.
An Annual Report will be prepared by my Department on the measures supported through the Dormant Accounts Fund in 2017.
63. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if his Department has made a submission on the draft national planning framework; if so, the general focus of the submission; if the submission includes issues such as the growth of towns and villages, the role of the regional economic and spatial strategies and community development structures among other issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1290/18]
View answerThe development of the National Planning Framework (NPF) is led by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. Since the establishment of my Department in July 2017, my officials have participated on a Cross Departmental Steering Group led by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, to provide inputs to the NPF.
In the context of this Steering Group and bilateral engagement with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, my Department provided inputs to the draft National Planning Framework which was published in September 2017 for public consultation.
The general focus of the inputs included:
- the role of rural Ireland in the development of our country for the duration of the Plan and beyond;
- the central importance of our towns and villages in supporting sustainable economic and population growth nationally, and the role key settlements play in driving the development of each region;
- maximising the potential of rural Ireland through the diversification of enterprise sectors;
- the contribution which the Atlantic Economic Corridor can make in supporting regional development;
- ensuring the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies take account of regional and rural development concerns as they are developed by the Regional Assemblies; and
- having a stronger focus on the role of communities, community development, and local democratic structures.
The preparation of Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies are provided for in the draft National Planning Framework.
I think these strategies will be very significant and I know work has already commenced on their drafting. I encourage all stakeholders to take part and contribute so that the strategies can reflect the strengths and needs of each region.
Also of important is how initiatives and projects which impact on more than one region are facilitated. One example is the AEC.
The overarching objective of the Atlantic Economic Corridor concept is to maximize the assets of the western region, from Kerry to Donegal and connect the economic hubs, clusters and catchments of the region a to attract investment, support job creation and contribute to an improved quality of life for those who live in the region.
My Department will continue to engage with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government as they work towards finalising the NPF.
64. Deputy Willie Penrose 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 in relation to 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. [54711/17]
View answer76. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the engagement his Department has had with organisations (details supplied) in respect of the establishment of a public banking system here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54716/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 76 together.
The Programme for a Partnership Government envisaged that An Post, the Irish League of Credit Unions and other interested stakeholders would be asked to investigate and propose a new model of community banking for Ireland, based, for example, on the Kiwibank model in New Zealand. The Programme for Government also includes a commitment to investigate the German Sparkassen model for the development of local public banks.
A project team comprising officials from my Department and the Department of Finance was established last year to progress this commitment. The project team carried out detailed research into the concept of a public banking model, with a particular focus on the Sparkassen model. In addition, a public consultation process, seeking views on the concept of a community banking model, ran for four weeks. A total of 16 replies from a range of stakeholders was received.
As part of their research, officials from both Government Departments met with representatives of the organisations referred to in the Deputy's question. The organisations in question put forward a proposal as to how a local public bank, based on the Sparkassen model, could work in Ireland. An invitation was extended to Irish officials to visit Germany to examine the public banking network there. However, the level of information provided by the organisations in their meetings with officials was sufficiently comprehensive to explain the model.
The Departmental officials have now finalised their report and have submitted their findings to the Minister for Finance and myself. The report will be brought to Government shortly for consideration.
65. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the position regarding the local improvement scheme to local authorities throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1782/18]
View answerThe Local Improvement Scheme supports improvement works on private, non-public roads, to improve access for people who live or work along those roads.
There has been very little funding available for this scheme in recent years due to constraints on public expenditure. However, I was very conscious of the underlying demand for the scheme in rural areas throughout the country.
I therefore announced the provision of €10 million to Local Authorities for a Local Improvement Scheme last September. Based on demand and the capacity of Local Authorities to complete works before the end of 2017, I announced an additional €7.4 million to Local Authorities for LIS roads at the end of November.
It is clear that there is a continuing demand for LIS funding in rural communities across Ireland, and I have therefore secured a further allocation of €10 million for the scheme in my Department's Estimate for 2018. I intend to announce details of the scheme shortly.
66. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will report on the development of the Atlantic economic corridor; the work, including meetings, that have taken place since the establishment of his Department; and if the inclusion of the AEC and its development has been sought by his Department in the upcoming national planning framework and the capital plan. [1291/18]
View answerThe Programme for Partnership Government and the Action Plan for Rural Development both contain a commitment to progress the concept of an Atlantic Economic Corridor. The concept was proposed in February 2016 by a group involving a number of Chambers of Commerce in the Western region and the American Chambers of Commerce of Ireland.
The overarching objective of the Atlantic Economic Corridor proposal is to maximise the assets along the western seaboard and connect the economic hubs, clusters and catchments of the region to attract investment, support job creation and contribute to an improved quality of life for those who live there.
The Atlantic Economic Corridor Taskforce was established by my colleague, Minister Michael Ring in March 2017 to progress the proposal. As Minister of State I chair the Taskforce which includes senior representatives from the business sector, key Government Departments, other public bodies, and Third Level institutions.
The Taskforce has met four times since it was established - most recently in Sligo - and will continue to meet on a regular basis. A number of sub-groups of the Taskforce have also been established to progress specific aspects of the overall proposal, such as examining infrastructure needs and enterprise property assets, and developing a communications strategy.
My Department has been working closely with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government in the drafting of the National Planning Framework (NPF). The Atlantic Economic Corridor, and the need to improve access to the North-West in particular, is referenced in the draft Framework which was published for public consultation in September 2017.
My Department will continue to engage with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government as they work towards finalising the NPF. The forthcoming capital investment plan will be closely aligned to the NPF.
67. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the work undertaken on the development of the Atlantic economic corridor; his views on whether there are specific infrastructure projects which could form part of the corridor; and if his Department has sought the inclusion of the AEC in the national planning framework and the capital plan. [1289/18]
View answerThe Programme for Partnership Government and the Action Plan for Rural Development both contain a commitment to progress the concept of an Atlantic Economic Corridor. The concept was proposed in February 2016 by a group involving a number of Chambers of Commerce in the Western region and the American Chambers of Commerce of Ireland.
The overarching objective of the Atlantic Economic Corridor proposal is to maximise the assets along the western seaboard and connect the economic hubs, clusters and catchments of the region to attract investment, support job creation and contribute to an improved quality of life for those who live there.
My department colleague, Minister Michael Ring TD, established the Atlantic Economic Corridor Taskforce in March 2017 to progress the proposal and I now chair the Taskforce. The Taskforce includes senior representatives from the business sector, key Government Departments, other public bodies, and Third Level institutions.
The Taskforce has met four times since it was established and will continue to meet on a regular basis. A number of sub-groups of the Taskforce have also been established to progress specific aspects of the overall proposal, such as examining infrastructure needs and enterprise property assets, and developing a communications strategy.
Work on developing the AEC and identifying possible elements is ongoing. One project which I believe forms part of the AEC is the Western Rail Corridor which exemplifies what we are trying to achieve with the AEC in strengthening connectivity between growth centres. In my view the AEC would be strengthened with the continued development of the Rail Corridor, for example from Athenry to Claremorris, and the examination of other extensions such as a rail connection from Sixmilebridge to Shannon Airport.
On the AEC my department will continue to engage with stakeholders, including other Government departments, on its development.
68. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the labour training and support measures his Department will make available to rural communities in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1738/18]
View answerIn January 2017, Realising our Rural Potential, the Government's Action Plan for Rural Development was launched. The Plan contains over 270 actions to be delivered by a range of Government Departments, State agencies and other bodies to support the economic and social development of rural Ireland.
The Action Plan contains measures across a range of policy areas which will help to maintain and revitalise rural communities across the country. A key component of the Plan is to support the creation of jobs throughout the regions to ensure that people who live in rural areas have increased opportunities for employment locally. The Plan aims to deliver 135,000 extra jobs outside of Dublin by 2020.
A number of actions in the Action Plan for Rural Ireland refer to SICAP and its role in supporting rural job seekers and disadvantaged groups.
The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) aims to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion and equality through local, regional and national engagement and collaboration. It is managed and overseen by the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) in each Local Authority area, with funding coming from this Department, and co-funding from the European Social Fund under the Programme for Employability and Learning 2014-2020.
SICAP 2018-2022 came into operation on 1 January 2018. It remains the main social inclusion programme of Government supporting local community groups and individuals such as low income workers, young people not in education, employment or training, or who live in disadvantaged areas, through community development approaches to become less socially excluded. SICAP worked with 47,000 individuals in 2016, many of whom increased their work-readiness, received help in accessing employment or self-employment, or who received support to access a life-long-learning opportunity.
SICAP 2018-2022 was designed to reflect government policy and priorities, Ireland’s changing social and economic landscape, and learning from the previous iteration of the Programme including the findings from an extensive consultation process, led out on by Minister Catherine Byrne, that was held in 2017, and also by the provisional findings from a series of evaluations by the ESRI on particular components of SICAP.
The next 6-monthly Progress Report on the implementation of the Action Plan will be published in February and I look forward to working with rural communities and our colleagues in other Government Departments and State agencies in continuing to drive the rural development agenda in 2018.
The Community Services Programme, which was transferred to my Department on 1 January, supports community organisations to provide local social, economic and environmental services through the application of a social enterprise model of delivery. One of the objectives of this Programme is to create sustainable jobs for those most distant from the labour market, in particular for those who are long term unemployed and from specific target groups. Some 425 contracts are in place with service providers nationally. The 2018 budget for the programme is €46.3m.
69. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding stream that would be suitable for the upgrading of the surface of the Royal Canal towpath from the western end of Mullingar to Kilpatrick bridge outside Mullingar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1596/18]
View answerDepending on the precise details of the proposal, a project such as the one described by the Deputy could be eligible for funding under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme which is administered by my Department.
The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme forms part of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development and provides funding on a competitive basis for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure, or the maintenance, enhancement and promotion of existing recreational infrastructure in rural Ireland. The scheme is implemented through the Local Authorities and has facilitated the development of greenways, blueways, walks, and other trails across the country in the last two years.
In 2016, I approved funding of €7.4 million for 117 projects under the scheme. I approved a further €11.4 million for 219 projects in 2017. I intend to launch a further round of the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme in 2018 to support important local, regional and national projects and boost local economic activity.
Funding for this type of project may also be available under schemes operated by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport or Fáilte Ireland and the Deputy may wish to make enquiries directly to those bodies about any such schemes which they might administer.
