Written Answers Nos. 976-999
976. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the aspect of youth affairs that has generated most concern in the past ten years; the extent to which adequate action was taken; the quality and efficacy of measures put in place to address such issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45366/18]
View answerPrior to the establishment of my Department in 2011, funding for youth services was provided through a number of disparate funding schemes and administered by several Government Departments. Against this backdrop, my Department has engaged in a reform programme to ensure quality-effective, value for money services that are evidence-informed and designed to secure the best outcomes for young people.
In this regard you will be aware that the targeted schemes supporting youth services were the subject of a Value for Money and Policy Review. The review involved an in-depth scrutiny of the impact youth service provision has on young people’s lives. The review made a number of recommendations for the future operation of the youth schemes and their development in the years ahead.
These included the merging the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund 1 and 2 and Local Drugs Task Force Projects into a single youth funding scheme. The work on the development of this new funding scheme has been prioritised by my Department and consultations with youth services are continuing with a view to introducing the new youth funding programme in line with the Value for Money and Policy Review of Youth Programmes on a transitional basis in 2019 and fully in 2020.
My Department administers a range of funding schemes and programmes to support the provision of youth services to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. The funding schemes support national and local youth work involving approximately 1,400 youth work staff working in youth services and communities throughout the country. The schemes include the Youth Service Grant Scheme under which funding is made available on an annual basis to thirty national and major regional youth organisations, the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme which supports youth work activities at a local level and the Youth Information Centre Scheme which funds twenty-five Youth Information Centres.
The National Youth Strategy 2015-2020, published in 2015 was developed in close consultation with statutory youth interests and the voluntary youth organisations and services that work with young people. The strategy sets out Government’s aims for young people, aged 10 to 24 years, so that they are active and healthy, achieving their full potential in learning and development, safe and protected from harm, have economic security and opportunity and are connected and contributing to their world.
977. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the degree to which she expects to be in a position to ensure that children or young adults at risk or deemed to be at risk do not remain in or are allowed to return to the accommodation in which the risk has occurred; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45367/18]
View answerTusla act immediately on notification of an immediate risk to a child. Children who are in a situation of immediate risk may initially be dealt with by An Garda Síochána or by Tusla, but in the main both agencies work together in such cases. Tusla, when alerted to a child at immediate risk, for instance a young child left alone at home or abandoned, will contact AGS if the child needs to be removed from that situation.
Gardaí have specific powers under Section 12 of the Child Care Act to remove a child from a situation of danger, and under Section 13 to deliver that child into the custody of Tusla. Tusla will at that point carry out an assessment to determine the child's needs. This may in some cases include applying for an Emergency Care Order. In all cases, a plan will be put in place to ensure that the child is safe from harm.
In relation to returning a child to accommodation from which they were removed, this may occur if the person who posed the risk is no longer there, or if a protective adult is in place.
978. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the additional funding to be provided to family resource centres in 2019; the increase for each existing centre and new projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45413/18]
View answerTusla, the Child and Family Agency, administers the Family Resource Centre (FRC) Programme.
In Budget 2018, I secured additional funding of €3.0m for Tusla to support the Family Resource Centre Programme. The additional funding was to support existing Family Resource Centres and for expansion of the Programme with the inclusion of 11 new centres, which means that 120 centres will be operational by the end of 2018.
In Budget 2019, I was pleased to announce a €33m increase in funding for Tusla. In the coming weeks, I will issue Tusla with its 2019 Performance Statement, indicating my priorities for Tusla next year, which includes the investment of targeted funds for further development of Family Resource Centres.
Tusla will continue to work with Family Resource Centres throughout the country and will discuss service needs and funding resources with centres, where appropriate. Tusla is committed to using all available resources for children and families in the most efficient, equitable, proportionate and sustainable way.
979. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the details of engagements, meetings or correspondence that each Minister of State in her Department has had with a person (details supplied) in the past three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45452/18]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that there are no Ministers of State in my Department.
980. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) is not being provided with a Tusla duty social worker despite one having been requested by their parents. [45542/18]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that it is not appropriate for me to comment on individual cases.
I have referred the matter to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, and have asked for confirmation that this case is receiving the appropriate attention.
981. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the ECCE hours have ever been extended in circumstances in which the child has already availed of the maximum allocation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45574/18]
View answerAt its inception in 2010, the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme only operated for a 38 week period, or one programme year. For some children with special or additional needs, attending preschool five days a week was not feasible and so an allowance was made to enable them split ECCE over programme 2 years, for example, a child may have availed of 3 days ECCE provision in year one and 2 days in year two.
From September 2018, all children meeting the minimum age requirement of 2 years and 8 months are eligible for a full two programme years on the Early Childhood Care and Education programme (ECCE). This measure refines the measure introduced last year and increases the duration of each registered child on ECCE from a current average of 61 weeks, to a potential duration of 76 weeks (two programme years). This delivers fully on a commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government that is good for children, families and Early Years providers.
The upper age limit of 5 years and 6 months for completing the ECCE programme was set in consultation with senior officials from the Early Years Education Policy Unit in the Department of Education and Skills and is consistent with the law in Ireland with regard to school start age and the associated policy of the Department of Education and Skills.
A part of the criteria for assessing any application for an exemption to this upper age limit is whether a child has already availed of the full ECCE provision. Every application is considered on its own merits having regard to the individual circumstances pertaining and the legislative requirements around school starting age and any extension where full eligibility has been availed of under the programme will only be considered in very exceptional circumstances.
982. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps she has taken to publish both new play and recreation policies since the 2016 review of the National Play Policy 2004-2008 and the national recreation policy published in 2007 was completed in October 2016; the stage the development of these new policies are at; when the new policies will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45575/18]
View answerMy department has responsibility for the objectives of the National Play Policy and the National Recreation Policy, falling under the National Children’s Strategy.
My department provides funding through the local authorities for National Play Day and National Recreation Week activities. In 2018, a total of €78,000 was awarded to 20 local authorities for these activities. Additionally, a capital grant funding scheme for play and recreation was introduced in 2013 to provide capital funding to support new and existing play and recreation facilities for all children and young people. In 2018, €250,000 was awarded to 26 local authorities under this scheme.
The Department also works with the Local Authority for Play and Recreation Network (LAPRN). The LAPRN was established to bring a more coordinated approach to the implementation of the National Play and Recreation policies, and this Department works closely with the group to develop and promote improved play and recreation facilities.
A review of public policy on play and recreation in Ireland was commissioned in July 2016 with a report submitted in Q4 2016. Consideration has been given to the recommendations of this report and it is anticipated that the review of the public policy on play and recreation will be published in due course. Additionally a mapping exercise of playgrounds, MUGA’s (multi-use games areas), skate-parks, parks, public forestry and beaches across the country was conducted in collaboration with DCU in 2018.
Next steps will be progressed in the context of commitments under a new Early Years strategy to be published by my Department shortly.
983. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the measures in place for increasing the provision of CPD opportunities through Irish for childcare practitioners; the estimated costs which will be incurred; the specialist courses in immersion methodology for both childcare practitioners and directors of naíonraí available; and the cost of same. [45705/18]
View answer985. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated cost of delivering a programme of Irish to those who work in preschools as part of their training modules, FETAC levels 5 to 8; and the estimated cost of delivering modules on Irish language and immersion education for level 7 and degree courses. [45707/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 983 and 985 together.
The forthcoming National Early Years Strategy will clarify the Government’s intentions regarding support of the Irish language in pre-schools, and complement the aims of the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language (2010-30). My department is represented on the Action Plan 2018 - 2022 inter-departmental working group, and has responsibility for several key deliverables identified in the action plan, such as the development of dedicated coordinator posts for Irish language in the early years sector.
It must be noted that the availability or otherwise of some essential training through Irish (such as FAR First Aid Training, HACCP, Manual Handling training) is not a matter for my Department. However, some training is taking place through Irish language medium in these areas on a local level, in some cases supported by local City / County Childcare Committees, in some cases by organisations such as Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta (CNNG).
CNNG provide my Department’s programme of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) training through the medium of Irish. My department is in consultation with Mary Immaculate College / University of Limerick to explore the possibility of provision of the LINC (Leadership for Inclusion) programme through Irish.
The Department of Children and Youth Affairs is not aware of specialist courses in immersion methodology for childcare practitioners and directors of naíonraí.
Further education programmes for the early years sector in Ireland are awarded by QQI (Quality and Qualifications Ireland) at levels 5 or 6 on the NFQ (National Framework of Qualifications). Degree programmes are offered by Higher Education Institutions at level 7 or level 8 on the NFQ (ordinary level and honours level degree programmes respectively).
The QQI major award in Early Childhood Care and Education (NFQ level 5) comprises 8 modules, with 4 core modules which are mandatory. Each module is a minor award in itself. There are up to 14 modules which learners may choose from to make up the entire major award, of which “Irish for Pre-school Services” is one.
The cost of providing early years sector workers with an opportunity to complete the “Irish for Pre-school Services” level 5 award module as a supplementary award can be estimated as not less than €8.75 million. However, it is unlikely that this figure would represent the whole cost. As availability of the “Irish for Pre-school Services” level 5 minor award to learners is currently very limited, it is possible that additional costs would be incurred in order to increase availability of the programme of learning. Rapid expansion of provision would potentially lead to concerns about the quality of delivery, would require coordination with education providers and necessitate a long lead-in time.
The cost of providing a specific programme of learning in Irish language and immersion education for students of Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) degree programmes (awards at Level 7 and Level 8 on the NFQ) is not known and cannot be estimated. Extensive consultation with the education providers would be required. Also, my Department does not have figures on the current numbers of students of ECEC degree programmes.
An alternative would be to tailor other programmes of learning in Irish language and culture for the early years sector. Based on the costs of current programmes, costs would be not less than €11 million (for the Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge [TEG]) or €18.6 million (based on the QQI level 5 minor award in Irish offered by Gaelchultúr). Again, it is likely there would be issues surrounding availability of courses, quality of provision and also the need to tailor programmes for the Early Years sector.
984. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated cost of awarding a 10% increase in the capitation grant per child to naíonraí in which all staff have achieved their teastas Eorpach Gaeilge or a similar Irish language qualification. [45706/18]
View answerMy Department does not track Irish Language qualifications awarded to staff in Naonraí and hence would not be in a position to estimate the cost per child of a 10% increase in the capitation paid.
Higher Capitation rates are available to all services for the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme provided the conditions of eligibility outlined below are met:
i. A Room Leader with a qualification recognised as meeting the minimum requirements for ECCE “Higher Cap” as set out on the published list of ‘Early Years Recognised Qualifications’ (or otherwise be deemed eligible by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs)
ii. the same Room Leader has a minimum of three years’ paid experience working in the childcare sector;
iii. the regulatory adult to child ratio is met;
iv. if a room assistant is required in the Higher Capitation room, this assistant must hold a full and relevant qualification that meets the minimum regulatory standards;
v. Staff who have signed ‘Grandfathering’ declarations are not eligible for Higher Capitation.
986. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 590 of 23 October 2018, the terms of reference for the commissioned report (details supplied). [45735/18]
View answerThe Report referred to by the Deputy was commissioned by Oberstown Children Detention Campus to carry out a Health and Safety audit of the Campus with a specific focus on:
1. Injuries to staff and young people over a three year period, the relationships between these injuries and the management of young people's behaviour, considering the Behaviour Management Policy and practices used on the Campus.
2. The environs at the Oberstown Campus considering the new building developments, the historical buildings and suitability to meet the behaviour challenges of young people.
987. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 193 of 11 October 2018, the qualifications that must be held by external private contractors in order that cases may be sent to them by Tusla. [45750/18]
View answerI have been advised by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, that the qualifications of external private contractors vary as to the work asked to be undertaken.
For example, an educational assessment requires a psychologist, play therapy a play therapist. Qualifications must be verified by the practitioner and they must have appropriate registration supervision and training including Children First.
Non-Tusla personnel are not permitted to complete child protection assessments, which will only be completed by a registered social worker.
988. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the budget allocation to area based childhood, ABC, programmes in each of the years 2016 to 2019, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45860/18]
View answerThe Area Based Childhood (ABC) Programme is a prevention and early intervention initiative led by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA). The programme was originally designed as a time-bound, co-funding arrangement between DCYA and The Atlantic Philanthropies (AP), from 2013 to 2016. The aim of the programme is to test and evaluate prevention and early intervention approaches in areas of disadvantage, to improve outcomes for children. The focus of the work under the ABC Programme covers, in the main: Child Health & Development; Children's Learning; Parenting; and Integrated Service Delivery.
The table below shows the budget allocations for each site. Under the original programme, ABC areas were allocated a three year budget (2013-2016). The programme was initially extended to 31st December 2017 and subsequently to 31st December 2018. In both 2017 and 2018, ABC areas were allocated annual budgets. These budget figures are inclusive of unspent funding carried forward from previous year(s).
Budget allocations for 2019 have yet to be finalised. This will be done in consultation between DCYA, Tusla, and the ABC areas.
|
ABC Area |
Original Budget 2013-2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
|
Tallaght West |
€ 4,634,243 |
€1,487,598 |
€ 1,511,972 |
To Be Confirmed (TBC) |
|
Ballymun |
€ 5,500,000 |
€ 548,829 |
€ 565,575 |
TBC |
|
Dublin Northside |
€ 3,739,000 |
€ 981,720 |
€ 1,111,686 |
TBC |
|
Dublin Docklands |
€ 1,200,000 |
€ 604,100 |
€ 663,350 |
TBC |
|
Ballyfermot |
€ 750,000 |
€ 348,667 |
€ 431,537 |
TBC |
|
Clondalkin |
€ 1,128,099 |
€ 451,811 |
€ 463,419 |
TBC |
|
Louth |
€ 1,510,590 |
€ 641,678 |
€ 625,247 |
TBC |
|
Limerick |
€ 1,579,563 |
€ 880,206 |
€ 862,683 |
TBC |
|
Knocknaheeny |
€ 1,800,000 |
€ 773,475 |
€ 708,908 |
TBC |
|
Bray |
€ 838,000 |
€ 355,589 |
€ 308,630 |
TBC |
|
Finglas |
€ 1,212,410 |
€ 485,017 |
€ 485,014 |
TBC |
|
Grangegorman |
€ 940,826 |
€ 632,283 |
€ 959,142 |
TBC |
|
Total |
€24,832,731 |
€8,190,973 |
€ 8,697,163 |
TBC |
989. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will report on the allocation in 2019 to North-South bodies in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45891/18]
View answerAn allocation of €2.098 million in 2019 is being made by my Department to support the development of youth projects under the Peace IV 2014 - 2020 Programme for Peace and Reconciliation which is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
990. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount her Department has spent in 2018 on carrying out commissions of investigations and State inquiries as recommended by the Independent Review Mechanism and State tribunals; the number and name of these investigations; the individual costs in relation to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45906/18]
View answerThe sum of €2.27 million has been expended to date in 2018 through the Vote of my Department to support the independent Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and certain related matters.
In accordance with its Terms of Reference, the Commission is tasked with examining the experience of mothers and children resident in Mother and Baby Homes and a representative sample of County Homes. The Commission is required to address seven specific questions on the practices and procedures relating to the care, welfare, entry arrangements and exit pathways for the women and children who were residents of these institutions.
991. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to improve the enforcement of the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45846/18]
View answerMy Department has overall policy responsibility for the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010. The Act provides for guidelines to be put in place for the management and operation of Dog Breeding Establishments. Following a public consultation process, my Department published new Guidelines in July of this year and these will come into effect on 1 January 2019.
I want to see high standards achieved by Dog Breeding Establishments in Ireland. Having published the new Guidelines, my Department is now identifying any necessary legislative amendments that may be required in the Act to further improve standards.
Under the Dog Breeding Establishments Act, 2010, local authorities are responsible for operational activities such as the registration, inspection and regulation of Dog Breeding Establishments, including enforcement activities.
992. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of funding for local improvement schemes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44725/18]
View answerThe Local Improvement Scheme, or LIS, is a programme for improvement works on small private or non-public roads in predominantly rural areas. The scheme is funded by my Department and administered through the Local Authorities.
I re-launched the LIS in September 2017, following a number of years when no dedicated funding was made available for the maintenance of non-public roads.
In February of this year, I allocated a total of €10.8 million under the scheme, from which the relevant Local Authority was allocated €726,976.
I announced a further allocation of €9.8 million in funding on 26th October last, with €482,990 provided to the Local Authority in question to complete additional LIS roads in 2018. The selection of individual roads for improvement works is a matter for each Local Authority to decide.
Since I re-launched the LIS in September 2017, I have allocated a total of €2,205,544 to the relevant Local Authority under the scheme.
993. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he, his departmental officials or his ministerial predecessors have met companies and an organisation (details supplied) or representatives of same in the past three years to date; if so, if a schedule of those meetings and the associated minutes will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44782/18]
View answerOne of the functions of my Department is to work with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and Local Authorities to remove any barriers that impact the roll out of rural telecommunications infrastructure, particularly in rural Ireland, including mobile phone and broadband infrastructure.
This work involves convening regular meetings of a Regional Action Group which comprises the Local Authorities’ Broadband Officers. Telecommunications service providers and other organisations are invited to present on a variety of subjects at these meetings from time to time, to help the Broadband Officers and my Department to gain a better understanding of issues that need to be addressed. Enet, and other service providers, have attended some of these meetings.
The minutes of these meetings are not published as they may contain commercially sensitive material. Details relating to specific contracts are not discussed at these meetings.
My Department and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment also hold quarterly meetings with each of the organisations responsible for the delivery of actions arising out of the 2016 Report of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce, in order to obtain an update and prepare quarterly progress reports on the actions.
Enet is part of an Industry Group that meets collectively with the Departmental officials in relation to their specific commitments under the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce Implementation Group. The type of actions for delivery by the telecommunications operators include identifying, in consultation with Local Authorities, optimal locations for additional infrastructure to improve coverage; providing greater transparency of mobile phone contract costs for customers; and reporting on activities undertaken to optimise the performance of their networks.
The full list of actions contained in the Report of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce is available on my Department’s website, www.drcd.gov.ie. Regular quarterly progress reports, as well as the minutes of meetings of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce Implementation Group, are also published on my Department’s website and the website of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.
My Department was established on 19 July 2017. The following table lists the meetings or sessions where representatives of Enet were in attendance from that date until now.
I can confirm that I have not met with either the company or the organisation referred to by the Deputy since the formation of the Department.
|
2017 |
Topic |
|
11/10/2017 |
Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce Industry Group meeting |
|
09/11/2017 |
Local Authority Forum MANs update hosted by Enet |
|
2018 |
|
|
18/01/2018 |
Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce Industry Group meeting |
|
12/04/2018 |
Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce Industry Group meeting |
|
10/05/2018 |
Presentation at Regional Action Group (Broadband Officers) meeting |
|
16/07/2018 |
Co-Development & Shared Infrastructure meeting |
|
24/08/2018 |
Introductory meeting and discussion on MANs |
|
03/09/2018 |
Co-Development & Shared Infrastructure meeting |
|
13/09/2018 |
Attendance at portion of Regional Action Group meeting |
|
15/10/2018 |
Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce Industry Group meeting |
994. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the location of the submissions made to the consultations undertaken by his Department in each of the past ten years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44865/18]
View answer995. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the consultations undertaken by his Department in each of the past ten years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44883/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 994 and 995 together.
The following table contains the details of the consultations held since the establishment of my Department in July 2017.
The consultation records are filed in this department and requests regarding same should be directed to the Department's corporate services unit at the Department of Rural and Community Development, Trinity Point, 10-11 Leinster Street South. Dublin 2 D02 EF85.
|
Public Consultations |
2017 |
2018 |
|
Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) |
- DRCD consultation on the Statement of Strategy 2017-2020 |
- Consultation on new Library Strategy, Our Public Libraries 2018-2022 - Consultation on new Library Strategy, Our Public Libraries 2018-2022 - Consultation on the drafting of a Language Scheme under the Official Languages Act |
996. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the allocated funding for the CLÁR programme for 2018; and the amount which has been drawn down to date. [45022/18]
View answerThe CLÁR programme provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects in disadvantaged rural areas that have experienced significant levels of depopulation.
The 2018 CLÁR programme was launched on 15th March last, with applications invited 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
Measure 4: Mobility and Cancer Care Transport
In total, more than 500 applications were received across the four measures.
Between June and October, I approved 389 successful projects for total funding of €11.8 million under these measures. The successful projects are listed on my Department's website at:
https://drcd.gov.ie/about/rural/clar/.
My officials are currently processing claims to the value of €3.4 million which have been received to date under the 2018 CLÁR programme.
More than 1,200 projects have now been approved for total funding of €25 million since I relaunched the CLÁR programme in 2016.
997. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the various funding channels open to community and sporting organisations that wish to acquire a defibrillator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45131/18]
View answerThe provision of defibrillators may be eligible for funding under a number of my Department's programmes, including LEADER, the Community Enhancement Programme and CLÁR.
LEADER is a multi-annual programme covering the period 2014-2020 which is delivered through Local Action Groups in each of the 28 LEADER sub-regional areas around the country. Funding can be provided under a broad range of defined themes, which include enterprise development and social inclusion.
The Social Inclusion theme of the LEADER Programme focuses on the provision of services for people living in rural and remote areas and, in that context, support for the services referred to by the Deputy could potentially be considered eligible for LEADER funding.
In order for a project to be eligible for LEADER funding, it must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved Local Development Strategy in the LEADER sub-regional area concerned, and it must comply with the Operating Rules and EU Regulations in place for the programme.
The decision to approve a project, or otherwise, is a matter for the Local Action Groups (LAGs) which administer the programme in each LEADER area. Interested applicants should, in the first instance, contact the relevant LAG through its Implementing Partners to discuss the funding that may be available. Contact details for all LAGs are available on my Department's website at
http://drcd.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/list-of-LAGs.pdf.
In May 2018, I launched the Community Enhancement Programme (CEP). The CEP replaces and builds on the RAPID programme and the Community Facilities Scheme, providing a more flexible, streamlined and targeted approach to providing funding to those communities most in need while reducing the level of administration involved. The CEP is administered by the Local Community Development Committees in each Local Authority area, on behalf of my Department. Some of the funding available under this programme is ring-fenced to provide small capital grants of €1,000 or less. The programme is currently closed to applications but will open again in 2019.
The CLÁR programme has also provided funding for defibrillators to established organisations that operate on a voluntary basis and are involved in emergency rescue or first response efforts in the community. CLÁR operates in specific designated rural areas that have experienced high levels depopulation, based on Census data. The closing date for receipt of applications under CLÁR has now passed for this year. Decisions regarding any measures that might be supported under CLÁR in 2019 will be made early next year.
998. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of funding under the town and village renewal scheme awarded to projects in County Donegal in each year since its inception to date; the number of projects which applied for funding; the number of projects which were successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45138/18]
View answerThe Town and Village Renewal Scheme was first launched in 2016. The central aim of the scheme is to support the revitalisation of towns and villages in order to improve the living and working environment of their communities and increase their potential to support increased economic activity into the future.
The scheme is funded by my Department and administered through the Local Authorities. In 2016, each Local Authority was allocated €380,000 and, in conjunction with local communities and businesses, were each invited to submit up to 8 proposals to the Department for approval. In 2017 and 2018, Local Authorities were required to seek expressions of interest from communities for proposals under the scheme, then select up to 15 proposals in 2017 and 12 proposals in 2018, for submission to my Department for consideration
Details of Co. Donegal's applications received and approved for funding in each year are listed as follows:
|
Year |
No of applications received |
No of applications approved for funding |
Funding approved |
|
2016 |
5 |
5 |
€380,000 |
|
2017 |
15 |
13 |
€1,159,000 |
|
2018 |
12 |
11 |
€1,100,000 |
|
TOTALS |
32 |
29 |
€2,639,000 |
Almost €53 million has been approved for more than 670 projects across the country under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme since it was introduced in the second half of 2016.
The full list of successful projects under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, including those in County Donegal, are available on my Department's website at:
https://drcd.gov.ie/about/rural/town-village-renewal-scheme/.
999. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pearse Doherty den Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail cén fáth ar diúltaíodh d’iarratas ó chomhlacht pobail (sonraí tugtha) i gContae Dhún na nGall a cuireadh faoi bhráid an údaráis phoiblí Pobal le maoiniú a fháil chun bainisteoir a earcú don ionad; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [45164/18]
View answerTugann an Clár Seirbhísí Pobail (CSP) tacaíocht do bhreis agus 400 eagraíocht pobail a sholáthraíonn seirbhísí áitiúila trí shamhail fiontar sóisialta. Cuirtear maoiniú ar fáil mar ranníocaíocht i dtreo costais bainisteoir agus líon poist lán aimseartha (FTE’s) comhaontaithe.
Chuir an eagraíocht a luadh plean ghnó faoi bhráid Pobal mar chuid den ghnáth próiséas ath-chonartha, Sraith CSP 1. Sa phlean ghnó, d’iarr an eagraíocht ardú maoine chun líon na bpost lán aimseartha a ardú agus uasghrádú ar phost lán áimseartha amháin chuig post bainisteora. Níor léirigh nádúr agus scála na heagraíochta ná a ghníomhaíochtaí mar a leagadh amach sa phlean ghnó go raibh riachtanas ann do bhainisteoir nua ná d’ardú i líon na bpost lán aimseartha. É sin ráite, moladh do Phobal iarradh ar an eagraíocht plean ghnó athbhreithnite a sheoladh chucu ag cur síos ar na tacaíochtaí breise atá de dhíth. Déanfar athmheasúnú ar sin i 2019 faoi réir chomhlíonadh critéir cuí an CSP agus i gcomhthéacs an maoiniú a bheidh ar fáil i rith na bliana.
