Anne Rabbitte
Question:481. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on whether HIQA should have the power to enforce its recommendations in childcare services. [28871/18]
View answerHIQA Remit
Questions (481)
Written answers
HIQA plays a vital role in ensuring that standards and regulatory requirements - across all domains of the wider health family, including social care services for children - are being met. Its independence in this regard is one of its key strengths.
The Health Act 2007 allows for HIQA to register designated centres - which can incorporate all children's residential centres - run by Tusla, the voluntary sector and private companies. I am glad to say that work to enable the commencement of the relevant provisions is well underway, with regulations at an advanced stage and Standards awaiting formal sign off. I am hopeful that the new registration model will be effective shortly.
What this will mean is that all new and existing children's residential centres will need to meet national standards and regulations in order to be registered to operate by HIQA. Additionally, HIQA can seek the de-registration of any children's residential centre from the District Court where they form a view that regulations are not being complied with. The commencement of the relevant provisions will bring children's residential services in line with nursing homes and disability residential services. At my request, HIQA recently undertook a statutory investigation into Tusla's management of child abuse referrals. I received their report in recent weeks and a key recommendation made was that my Department, with the assistance of HIQA, would undertake an international review of best practice in the regulation of children's social services in order to inform the development of a regulatory framework for these services in Ireland. This work is commencing, and the findings of the review will inform the policy direction for regulation of children's preventative and protective services provided in the community.
Early Years Strategy Implementation
Questions (482)
Fiona O'Loughlin
Question:482. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason an application by an organisation (details supplied) was refused. [28928/18]
View answerWritten answers
The number of applications for the 2018 Early Years and School Age Childcare Capital Programmes was particularly high with over 1,900 applications received. All applications were appraised in a fair, thorough and impartial manner by Pobal on behalf of the Department.
Due to the high demand for capital funding and the particularly strong standard of applications received, many services who submitted quality applications unfortunately did not receive an offer of funding. I regret that on this occasion the application by the service in question did not result in an offer for funding.
All applicants who were unsuccessful have the opportunity to request a call-back on their capital application from Pobal, who can provide them with feedback and guidance on their application. All applicants who were unsuccessful can also request to have their application reviewed.
I note from the details supplied that the service you reference have applied for a review. I hope they derive benefit from this process and wish them the best of luck in the future.
Adoption Legislation
Questions (483)
Thomas Byrne
Question:483. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if there will be a centralised facility for adoptees to view their files at locations where all files from adoption agencies would be available. [29023/18]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016, the Adoption Authority will have overall responsibility for the safeguarding of relevant records, which includes adoption records and records relating to persons whose birth was illegally registered or who were the subject of an informal care arrangement. The Bill makes provision for the transfer of all relevant records, which are currently held in a number of locations, to the custody of the Authority. It also creates offences in relation to the concealment, destruction, mutilation and falsification of these records. It is the intention that the records will be centralised.
The Bill sets out a statutory basis for an information and tracing service. It also provides, in section 12, that persons can apply for access to the relevant records held by the Authority.
It is my intention to work with members of the Dáil and Seanad to proceed as quickly as possible with the enactment of this important legislation.
Child Abuse
Questions (484)
John McGuinness
Question:484. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of cases or complaints involving Tusla and its clients or the parents of clients alleging false allegations of sexual abuse made by social workers in the south-east area; if there are cases dating back to 1998; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29075/18]
View answerWritten answers
In cases where a referral is made to Tusla with an allegation that a child has been sexually abused, the welfare and protection of the child must be the primary concern. Where an allegation is made by an adult about abuse they suffered as a child, Tusla's role is to try to identify if there are any children who could be at current risk from the alleged abuser.
Tusla are required to assess every allegation they receive, and to determine whether the allegation is credible. Allegations deemed to be credible then proceed to preliminary assessment.
Where allegations proceed to preliminary assessment, the alleged abuser is entitled to fair procedures. They have the right to be informed that an allegation has been made, who has made the allegation and the nature of the allegation, and to have an opportunity to respond to Tusla in relation to the allegation.
Tusla's concern is the protection of vulnerable children, and they do not have a role in investigation or prosecution of crimes. These roles lie with An Garda Síochána and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
I have written to Tusla to request the data sought and I have asked them to reply directly to the Deputy. I would note that Tusla was set up in January 2014, and prior to this the services were provided by the Health Service Executive.
Children in Care
Questions (485)
Róisín Shortall
Question:485. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children who went missing from care in each of the past three years by Tusla region in tabular form; the percentage of children in each category who were subsequently located; the number of children who are missing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29085/18]
View answerWritten answers
I have been informed by Tusla, The Child and Family Agency, that the data requested by the Deputy is not collated centrally at this time.
Tusla social workers develop an Absence Management Plan for children in care in conjunction with their foster carers, residential staff and family, where appropriate. These are used to assess the risk in the event of a child going missing and the appropriate action to be taken. A child in care is considered to be missing when his or her whereabouts are unknown and the Absence Management Plan indicates concern for the child’s safety. It should be remembered that most children in care live in family settings in the community and, like all teenagers, will have curfews to return home.
As children and adolescent's needs differ, there will be an individual judgement made in relation to how late a child may be in returning to their foster carers or residential centre. The length of time alone cannot be used to determine whether a child qualifies as missing from care, rather it is a combination of the time period with all other circumstances of the case that must be considered. For example, if a child is not allowed unsupervised time outside the home and cannot be found in the home, this will be counted as an incident of a child missing from care regardless of the period of time involved.
Tusla operates a procedure which records each missing from care incident and liaises with An Garda Síochána as necessary. With the development of the National Child Care Information System, Tusla will be in a position to provide more detailed information, as the project develops.
I have asked Tusla to provide me with detailed information regarding any child that is currently missing from care, and I will revert to the Deputy with that information.
Child Protection Services Provision
Questions (486)
Mattie McGrath
Question:486. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children listed as being active on the child protection notification system for each of the past four years; the location of the children by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29268/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Child Protection Notification System (CPNS), in accordance with Children First: National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children, 2011, is a national record of all children who are the subject of a child protection plan agreed at a child protection conference. The CPNS is accessible to named professional groups subject to strict protocols.
Each referral received by Tusla is assessed and dealt with on an individual basis by the relevant social work team. Approximately 60% of referrals to Tusla are of a child welfare concern with the remaining 40% related to child protection concerns. Tusla's policy is to refer child welfare referrals to relevant family and community support services. At any stage, if a determination is made that there is abuse, whether physical, emotional, sexual or neglect, from which there is an ongoing risk of harm, the child protection pathway is followed. In a minority of cases this may lead to the child being placed on the Child Protection Notification System (CPNS) or the child being received into care.
Using the most recent data available, I can inform the deputy that, as of March 2018, there was 1,250 children active on the CPNS. Tusla does not collate data by county but by administrative area. The following table details the number of children listed as active at the end of each year from Q4 2014 to Q1 2018.
Table: The total number of children at the end of the reporting period who were listed as active on the CPNS
|
Administrative Area |
Q4 2014 |
Q4 2015 |
Q4 2016 |
Q4 2017 |
Q1 2018 |
|
Dublin South Central |
146 |
181 |
109 |
63 |
59 |
|
Dublin South East/West Wicklow |
18 |
16 |
26 |
52 |
46 |
|
Dublin South West/Kildare/Wicklow |
64 |
54 |
60 |
52 |
49 |
|
Midlands |
82 |
94 |
86 |
83 |
92 |
|
Dublin City North |
101 |
90 |
78 |
78 |
81 |
|
Dublin North |
24 |
56 |
93 |
73 |
77 |
|
Louth/Meath |
121 |
92 |
106 |
115 |
97 |
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
39 |
43 |
15 |
23 |
23 |
|
Cork |
81 |
71 |
63 |
126 |
114 |
|
Kerry |
32 |
34 |
23 |
48 |
46 |
|
Carlow/Kilkenny/South Tipperary |
121 |
97 |
83 |
88 |
76 |
|
Waterford/Wexford |
97 |
65 |
100 |
110 |
125 |
|
Midwest |
153 |
161 |
182 |
169 |
153 |
|
Galway/Roscommon |
109 |
102 |
94 |
88 |
97 |
|
Mayo |
78 |
77 |
62 |
52 |
48 |
|
Donegal |
71 |
74 |
50 |
60 |
51 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim/West Cavan |
63 |
47 |
42 |
24 |
16 |
|
National Total |
1,400 |
1,354 |
1,272 |
1,304 |
1,250 |
Please note that data for Q4 2015 - Q1 2018 is from the National Child Protection Notification System (CPNS) which was introduced in 2015. Data for Q4 2014 is collated from systems held locally. Also, data prior to Q4 2017 may include children visiting from another jurisdiction who were on a similar system in that jurisdiction at the time of their arrival and who were placed on the National CPNS for the duration of their stay.
CLÁR Programme
Questions (487)
Eamon Scanlon
Question:487. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of an application for CLÁR funding by a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28661/18]
View answerWritten answers
CLÁR is a targeted capital investment programme for rural areas which have experienced significant levels of depopulation.
I launched the 2018 CLÁR programme on the 15th March last, with an indicative allocation of €5 million for qualifying projects under the following measures:
Measure 1: Support for Schools/Community Safety Measures
Measure 2: Play Areas/Multi-Use Games Areas
Measure 3: First Response Support Measure
The closing date for CLÁR 2018 was 30th April and more than 400 applications were received. I understand that an application in respect to the school referred to by the Deputy was not received. However, if the Deputy wishes to provide me with further information, I will look further into the matter.
On the 29th June, I announced funding of €4.8 million for 170 projects under Measure 1 of the 2018 CLÁR programme. Details of the successful projects under this Measure are available on my Department's website, www.drcd.gov.ie. I hope to announce the successful projects under Measures 2 and 3 very soon.
CLÁR Programme
Questions (488)
Charlie McConalogue
Question:488. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to review the areas which are designated CLÁR; if there is an appeals mechanism if persons are just outside a CLÁR area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28690/18]
View answerWritten answers
The CLÁR programme is an important part of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development and makes a huge contribution to supporting the most depopulated areas in rural Ireland. The programme provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects in disadvantaged rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population.
CLÁR was originally launched in October 2001 to provide targeted investment in disadvantaged rural areas. The areas originally selected for inclusion in the programme were those which suffered the greatest population decline from 1926 to 1996. The Cooley Peninsula was also included on the basis of the serious difficulties caused in that area by Foot and Mouth disease. The average population loss in the original CLÁR areas over the period 1926 to 1996 was 50%.
In 2006, an analysis of the 2002 Census data was carried out by the NIRSA Institute at Maynooth University and the programme was extended to include areas with an average population loss of 35% between 1926 and 2002. The analysis of the Census data was carried out at a district electoral division (DED) level and all areas designated as being 'CLÁR' areas are designated on a DED basis. In order for an area to be eligible to receive funding under the CLÁR programme it must be in one of the designated CLÁR DEDs which meets the population loss criteria. There is no appeals mechanism.
It is my intention to carry out a full review of qualifying CLÁR areas later this year on the basis of the 2016 Census data. This review will involve a detailed examination of all areas of the country, as well as stakeholder consultation. However, the level of depopulation will continue to be a primary factor in the designation of CLÁR areas.
The findings of the review will inform the CLÁR programme into 2019 and beyond.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (489)
David Cullinane
Question:489. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the annual expenditure on commercial archaeology services in his Department by provider in each of the years 2013 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28752/18]
View answerWritten answers
Since the establishment of my Department on 19 July 2017, there has been no expenditure on commercial archaeology services.
Grant Payments
Questions (490)
Tom Neville
Question:490. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if funding will be provided for an event (details supplied) in County Cork that is unable to affiliate to a group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28793/18]
View answerWritten answers
In December 2017, I announced once-off financial support of €812,000 for Agricultural Shows to alleviate financial difficulties suffered by a number of these shows in recent years, primarily due to adverse weather conditions.
The allocation was made in coordination with the Irish Shows Association (ISA) and will result in each of approximately 120 shows under the umbrella of the ISA in the Republic of Ireland receiving assistance of between €3,500 and €7,000, depending on the size of the show.
The ISA is the umbrella organisation for Agricultural Shows in Ireland and membership of the Association is open to all recognised Agricultural Show Societies. On that basis, I considered that distributing the funding through the Association was the most effective way to support the shows and I have no plans to change that approach.
Community Banking
Questions (491)
Billy Kelleher
Question:491. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the progress as committed to under the programme for partnership Government to investigate the German Sparkasse model for development of local public banks; if he has had discussions with the Minister for Finance with respect to a report being prepared on community banking models; and if so, when this report will be published. [28802/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to investigate the feasibility of a new model of community banking for Ireland, including an investigation of the German Sparkassen model for the development of local public banks that operate within well-defined regions.
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.
Additionally, there has been substantial engagement and a number of meetings held with various interested parties, and a proposal for a local public banking model in Ireland, based on the Sparkassen model, was submitted to the officials for consideration.
The project team carefully analysed this proposal, as well as assessing all the submissions received during the consultation process, in order to make sure that all the ideas and opinions were considered and reflected in their report.
The report by the project team was considered carefully by myself and the Minister for Finance and was submitted to the Government recently for noting. The report will be published imminently.
Community Development Projects
Questions (492)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:492. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the capital allocation for the community enhancement programme in each of the years 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; the level drawn down in each year in tabular from; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28814/18]
View answerWritten answers
I launched the Community Enhancement Programme on 31 May 2018. The programme replaces and builds on RAPID and the Community Facilities Scheme. The amount allocated for 2018 is €4.5 million. The programme is administered by Local Community Development Committees in each area and is currently open for applications, funding for 2018 has therefore not yet been drawn down from my Department.
No funding was allocated or drawn down for this programme prior to 2018.
Brexit Issues
Questions (493)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:493. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the contingency plans and strategies ready for deployment in the event of a no-deal Brexit in his Department for all rural and community development programmes and funding supports; and the details of such plans. [28815/18]
View answerWritten answers
My colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Simon Coveney, T.D., has the primary responsibility for leading on Brexit negotiations, and my Department is contributing on an ongoing basis to discussions, and is providing policy advice relevant to its remit, as and when required.
The comprehensive document “Ireland and the negotiations on the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union: The Government’s Approach”, published on 2 May 2017, outlined in detail the structures put in place by the Government to ensure a strategic and whole-of-Government response to Brexit that ensures a coordinated approach to the identification of key priority issues for the EU-UK negotiations, and the wider domestic response.
Since the publication of the comprehensive document, the Government has sought to further increase its strategic oversight of Brexit through the addition of a dedicated responsibility for Brexit matters as part of the role of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. The Cabinet Committee structures have also been reformed and new Cabinet Committees relating respectively to the Economy, and EU Affairs, including Brexit and the Economic Response to Brexit, have been established to provide an opportunity for cross-departmental input into the issues.
My Department has been established to deliver on the Government’s commitment to bring a greater degree of coordination and cohesion to all of the work of Government in so far as it impacts on rural Ireland and communities.
The impact of Brexit on regional and rural businesses and on communities is relevant across a number of policy areas of my Department. In this context, considerations around the impact of Brexit are shared across different policy areas.
Project Ireland 2040 (National Planning Framework and National Development Plan 2018-2027) and existing strategies and programmes within the Department such as the Action Plan for Rural Development and the Framework Policy for Local and Community Development in Ireland, provide a strategic and co-ordinated policy approach supported by tangible actions and reflect a shift towards a more pro-active approach to rural and community development.
My Department will continue to explore new areas of policy to supplement and advance ongoing work across Government which will contribute to both rural economic development and more balanced regional development and can therefore mitigate against the negative impacts of Brexit that may impact on these communities.
LEADER Programmes Funding
Questions (494)
Charlie McConalogue
Question:494. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the additional funding that will be made available to County Donegal under the Leader programme; when the funding will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28821/18]
View answerWritten answers
LEADER is a multi-annual programme for the period 2014-2020 which has a total budget of €250 million over the programming period. The programme is administered by Local Action Groups (LAGs) which deliver funding in accordance with Local Development Strategies that have been agreed for each LEADER sub-regional area.
€220 million of the available funding has already been allocated to the 28 LEADER sub-regional areas throughout the country. The allocation for each sub-regional area is provided for the duration of the programme rather than on an annual basis. This provides greater flexibility to the LAGs in managing their resources.
The allocation to the Local Action Group in Donegal is €12.9 million over the lifetime of the programme.
Each LAG is responsible for deciding how their allocation is distributed to LEADER projects over the duration of the programme, based on the objectives in their Local Development Strategies.
In addition to the €220 million which has been allocated to the LAGs, a further €30 million in funding is available for schemes which will be administered at a national level. This includes the LEADER Food Initiative which I recently launched with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and funding to support LAGs that come together to cooperatively deliver a LEADER project.
Social Enterprise Sector
Questions (495)
Dara Calleary
Question:495. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of progress towards completing the development of a national policy on social enterprise following the announcement in September 2017; the month and year that the policy will be completed and published; and the number of stakeholders that have been consulted to date. [29000/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Action Plan for Rural Development includes a commitment to develop and publish a National Policy on Social Enterprise, which will encompass the full range of activity in the sector.
In July 2017, my Department established a research partnership with the Social Finance Foundation for the purpose of carrying out targeted research and stakeholder engagement with the social enterprise sector to inform the development of the National Policy.
To support this work a Steering Group was established, comprised of representatives of Government Departments, social enterprise practitioners and representatives of the sector, to oversee the conduct of the research. In addition, a comprehensive stakeholder consultation process took place, involving regional workshops and an extensive online survey of social enterprises, all conducted in late 2017. Well over 100 people, representing a diverse range of organisations and interests, attended the regional workshops, while 376 submissions were received as part of the online consultation. As part of the research, there were a significant number of bilateral meetings with key stakeholders and site visits to social enterprises.
The research outputs from this project are currently being finalised, and my Department has now begun the process of preparing the draft policy. My Department will undertake further consultation with relevant stakeholders in developing the policy.
I anticipate that the National Policy on Social Enterprise will be published in the Autumn following this further consultation process.
Local Improvement Scheme Funding
Questions (496)
James Browne
Question:496. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of funding provided to County Wexford under the local improvement scheme in 2017 and to date in 2018, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29118/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) is a programme for improvement works on small private/non-public roads. The scheme is currently funded by my Department and administered through the Local Authorities.
In 2017, I allocated a total of €17.4 million to County Councils around the country under the LIS scheme under two tranches. The following table sets out the funding provided to County Wexford under the scheme in 2017:
|
County |
LIS 2017 round 1 Allocations |
LIS 2017 round 2 Allocation |
Total allocation 1 & 2 |
|
Wexford |
€360,000 |
€134,493 |
€494,493 |
Following on from the successful re-launch of the scheme in 2017, I announced details of the 2018 Local Improvement Scheme on 27th February this year, with an indicative allocation of €10.8 million for the programme. This included an allocation of €360,000 for Co. Wexford, in line with the initial allocation to the county in 2017.
The utilisation of this allocation and the selection of individual roads for improvement works under the LIS is a matter for each Local Authority.
Detailed information regarding the 2018 projects selected by Wexford County Councils for LIS improvement works can be found on my Department’s website at http://drcd.gov.ie/about/rural/local-improvement-scheme/.
Town and Village Renewal Scheme
Questions (497)
James Browne
Question:497. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the position regarding a town and village renewal scheme application (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29210/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is a key component in the revitalisation of towns and villages across the country, and over €31.6 million has been approved for more than 450 projects across the country since the scheme was introduced in the second half of 2016.
I launched the 2018 Town and Village Renewal Scheme on 27 April 2018 this year, with an indicative allocation of €15 million. Local Authorities were required to seek expressions of interest from communities for proposals under the scheme and select up to 12 proposals for submission to my Department for consideration.
The closing date for the submission of applications was 30 June. My Department is now beginning the process of assessing all of the applications received, including applications for County Wexford, with a view to announcing successful projects as soon as possible.
Successful proposals are likely to include activities which have clear positive economic impacts on rural towns and villages. They will also demonstrate close collaboration between communities and business interests in the design and delivery of the projects. Projects will be expected to commence before the end of the year and will run for up to 18 months.
CLÁR Programme
Questions (498)
Robert Troy
Question:498. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if funding will be granted to a school (details supplied) that has submitted an application through the CLÁR scheme. [29385/18]
View answerWritten answers
CLÁR is a targeted capital investment programme for rural areas which have experienced significant levels of depopulation.
I launched the 2018 CLÁR programme on the 15th March last, with an indicative allocation of €5 million for qualifying projects under the following measures:
Measure 1: Support for Schools/Community Safety Measures
Measure 2: Play Areas/Multi-Use Games Areas
Measure 3: First Response Support Measure
The closing date for CLÁR 2018 was 30th April and more than 400 applications were received. I can confirm that an application in respect of the school referred to by the Deputy has been received under Measure 2 (Play Areas/Multi-Use Games Areas).
On 29 June, I announced funding of €4.8 million for 170 projects under Measure 1. Details of the successful projects under this Measure are available on my Department's website, www.drcd.gov.ie.
I hope to be in a position to announce the successful projects under Measures 2 and 3 very shortly.
EU Funding
Questions (499)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:499. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount received by his Department in appropriations and accruals in the form of EU payments in 2016 and 2017; the schemes these payments related to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29403/18]
View answerWritten answers
I have set out in the following table details of Appropriations in Aid received from the European Commission since the establishment of my Department in July 2017.
Payments are in respect of co-financing of the Leader Programme and the Programme for Peace and Reconciliation respectively.
In addition, income of some €4 million has been accrued in respect of the Programme for Peace and Reconciliation in 2017.
It should be noted that these figures are provisional and subject to audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General in the context of the 2017 Appropriation Account.
|
Subhead |
EU Source |
Description |
Amount |
|
D2 D3 |
LEADER Rural Economy SubProgramme 2014-2020LEADER Rural Economy SubProgramme 2007-2013 Programme for Peace and Reconciliation |
Recoupment 5% Retention refund following closure of 2007-2013 ProgrammeRecoupment |
3,119,602 13,675,560 8,191 |
LEADER Programmes Expenditure
Questions (500)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:500. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of expenditure incurred to date under the Leader programme 2014-2020 between administration, animation and projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29404/18]
View answerWritten answers
LEADER is a multi-annual programme for the period 2014-2020 and has a total budget of €250 million over that period. Table 1 details the expenditure incurred nationally under the programme to date. This expenditure relates to:
- the costs incurred by the LAGs to develop their Local Development Strategies (Preparatory Support);
- the administration costs of the LAGs and the costs of their engagement with communities to generate projects - also referred to as "animation" costs; and,
- the expenditure incurred on projects.
The level of project activity has increase significantly in recent months and I understand that approximately 1,126 projects have now been approved for funding of over €33.2 million, while a further 304 project applications requesting an additional €18.5 million are at various stages in the approval process. I expect the level of expenditure on projects to increase substantially in the coming months as these projects are implemented and the promoters submit claims for payment.
Table 1: LEADER 2014-2020 Expenditure as of 2 July 2018
|
Programme details |
Expenditure incurred |
|
Preparatory Support Costs |
€1,468,112 |
|
Administration & Animation Costs |
€16,632,184 |
|
Projects |
€3,105,720 |
|
Total Programme Expenditure |
€21,206,016 |