Written Answers Nos. 603-624
603. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount of funding and-or grant aid her Department has made to an association (details supplied) from 1 January 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018; the purpose for which the funding and-or grant aid was released to the association; if the way in which the usage of the funding and-or grant aid is audited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50060/18]
View answerThe Football Association of Ireland receives funding from my Department under the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund Rounds 1 and 2.
The Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund Rounds 1 and 2 was established by the Government in 1998 to assist in the development of preventative strategies in a targeted manner through the development of youth facilities, including sports and recreational facilities, and services in disadvantaged areas where a significant drug problem exists or has the potential to develop
The following table details the funding made by my Department under the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund Rounds 1 and 2 from 1 January 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018. The purpose of the funding is also given in the table.
The FAI is required to supply my Department, on an annual basis, audited accounts and annual progress reports.
|
Funding |
Purpose |
Audited |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|
RDO's Limerick City |
To provide a positive working relationship established with key stakeholders in Limerick City Regeneration and regular meetings with stakeholders throughout the year to discuss and review progress |
Deloitte and Touche |
€100,980 |
€92,588 |
€89,116 |
€89,116 |
€91,344 |
€95,911 |
€98,311 |
|
Summer Soccer Schools |
To introduce boys and girls from disadvantaged backgrounds to physical activity and high quality coaching and to promote social inclusion and healthy lifestyles choices. |
Deloitte and Touche |
€13,324 |
€11,991 |
€11,541 |
€11,541 |
€11,830 |
€12,421 |
€12,918 |
|
Football in the Community (4 new towns) |
To provide activities for youth in 4 towns and do so in a planned and coordinated way to be most effective in engaging with target communities. |
Deloitte and Touche |
€34,081 |
€30,673 |
€29,523 |
€29,523 |
€30,261 |
€31,271 |
€32,523 |
|
Big Issue Street League Final |
One off for the National Street League Finals. The programme hosts the finals for teams from across the 8 local street leagues in Ireland and select international squad for the Homeless World Cup. |
Deloitte and Touche |
€2,000 |
€2,000 |
€1,925 |
€1,925 |
€1,973 |
€2,072 |
€2,155 |
|
Football in the Community (Late Nite Leagues) |
A diversionary programme incorporating soccer leagues at various locations across Dublin. It is aimed at encouraging at risk juveniles to participate in meaningful activities, thus reducing anti-social behaviour involving young people in the selected areas. |
Deloitte and Touche |
€1,870 |
€7,181 |
€6,912 |
€6,912 |
€7,085 |
€7,439 |
€7,737 |
|
Regional Development Officers x 10 (Dublin) |
To run football participation programmes and activities delivered in targeted areas |
Deloitte and Touche |
€176,715 |
€159,044 |
€153,080 |
€153,080 |
€156,907 |
€164,752 |
€167,152 |
|
3rd Level Facilitator Programme |
Objective of this programme is to increase participation in football in the third level sector particularly among fresher and 16-21 year old students in Cork IT, Dublin IT (Tallaght) and Sligo IT. |
Deloitte and Touche |
€25,132 |
€22,619 |
€21,771 |
€21,771 |
€22,315 |
€23,431 |
€24,368 |
|
Goal to Work Programme 2011/2012 |
Once off - discontinued |
Deloitte and Touche |
€8,700 |
||||||
|
RDO Waterford City (from HSE South - Waterford) |
To assist the FAI, Waterford City Council and the Young Peoples Fund in achieving their core objectives |
Deloitte and Touche |
€25,245 |
€23,147 |
€22,279 |
€22,279 |
€22,836 |
€23,978 |
€24,937 |
|
FAI Football in the Community Officer - Dún Laoghaire |
To assist the FAI and the Young Peoples Fund in achieving their core objectives |
Deloitte and Touche |
€25,245 |
€22,721 |
€21,868 |
€21,868 |
€22,415 |
€23,535 |
€24,476 |
|
FAI Football in the Community Officer (Bray) |
To assist the FAI and the Young Peoples Fund in achieving their core objectives |
Deloitte and Touche |
€25,245 |
€22,721 |
€21,868 |
€21,868 |
€22,415 |
€23,536 |
€24,477 |
604. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the external consultant reports commissioned by her Department in each of the years from March 2011 to 2017 and to date in 2018; the cost of same; the company involved; and the title and publication date by report in tabular form. [50090/18]
View answerMy Department is currently compiling the information requested and will revert to the Deputy as soon as possible.
605. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the entry points of the ECCE programme will be reviewed to reinstate a January entry point that many families had planned for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50181/18]
View answerAs previously advised to the Deputy in PQ 39484/18, my Department has no immediate plans to revise the Early Childhood Care and Education programme rules beyond the changes which were introduced in September 2018.
From September 2018, all children meeting the minimum age requirement of 2 years and 8 months will be eligible for a full two programme years on the Early Childhood Care and Education programme (ECCE). The upper age ECCE requirement is that the child must not reach 5 years and 6 months before the end of the programme year.
This new measure will address the previous situation with regard to multiple entry points whereby there was a broad fluctuation in the number of free preschool weeks a child could avail of –(between 61 and 88 weeks depending on the date of birth of the child)– and will ensure a programme that is equitable for all children. The situation where there was more than one entry point created a perception of inequality to some parents when they considered the variance in the number of weeks of ECCE provision, dependant on their entry point.
The number of entry points reverted to one at the beginning of September 2018. One enrolment period at the start of the pre-school year will help to streamline the administration process and will make it easier for childcare providers to operate and budget for the programme year. It also makes it easier for parents to secure places on the ECCE programme for their children.
Some children will not be able to commence their ECCE in September of the programme year as they will not have reached the age of 2 years and 8 months on or before 31st August. However, they will be able to commence ECCE in the following September and continue for a further year from September of the next programme year. Parents of children born around this time of the year may prefer for their children to start school at age 4 rather than 5 years. These parents may therefore choose to avail of 1 year of ECCE only. However, it is important to note that this is a parental choice and that the overall policy change has ensured that two programme years are available to all children.
606. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the public events she attended by county since 1 May 2018 and to date in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50277/18]
View answerThe public events I have attended since the 1st May 2018 are outlined in the following table.
|
2018 |
Event |
County |
|
02-May |
Attending Launch of Gay Games Paris 2018 |
Dublin |
|
04-May |
Attending opening of Tallaght Primary Care Centre |
Dublin |
|
04-May |
Opening of Bishop Galvin & Shanahan School |
Dublin |
|
09-May |
Attending Dóchas Women's Centre Event |
Dublin |
|
09-May |
Addressing Children's Rights Alliance AGM |
Dublin |
|
10-May |
Visiting Smyly Trust Services |
Dublin |
|
12-May |
Attending Tallafest 2018 Launch Event |
Dublin |
|
14-May |
Launch of In-School & Pre-School Therapy Project |
Dublin |
|
14-May |
Public Meeting with Minister Donohoe |
Dublin |
|
17-May |
Public meeting re 8th Amendment Referendum |
Tipperary |
|
18-May |
Screening of The 34th |
Dublin |
|
22-May |
ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards |
Dublin |
|
28-May |
Open Early Years Open Policy Debate (Early Childhood Care and Education Over-Age Exemptions) |
Dublin |
|
28-May |
Launching BeLonG To's Annual Report |
Dublin |
|
29-May |
Press Conference re Illegal Adoptions |
Dublin |
|
31-May |
Attending Launch of South Dublin County Council's new LGBTQ+ Staff Network |
Dublin |
|
01-Jun |
Visiting St Joseph's Special School |
Dublin |
|
06-Jun |
Attending Dublin Honours Magdalene Supper |
Dublin |
|
07-Jun |
Opening Early Years Strategy Open Policy Debate (Early Years Strategy) |
Dublin |
|
08-Jun |
Visiting to Ballyroan Boys National School |
Dublin |
|
21-Jun |
Gay Community News 30th Celebration |
Dublin |
|
21-Jun |
Dinner in honour of H.E. Mr Jean-Claude Juncker |
Dublin |
|
22-Jun |
Hillary Rodham Clinton Lecture |
Dublin |
|
24-Jun |
25th Anniversary of Decriminalisation of Homosexuality |
Dublin |
|
25-Jun |
Visiting 168th St Aengus Tymon North Scout Group |
Dublin |
|
25-Jun |
Oireachtas Documentary - A Woman's Place |
Dublin |
|
26-Jun |
Screening of The 34th |
Dublin |
|
27-Jun |
National Economic Dialogue |
Dublin |
|
29-Jun |
Attending 10 Year anniversary of Kathy b's Montessori |
Dublin |
|
29-Jun |
Launch of LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy |
Dublin |
|
30-Jun |
Dublin Pride Parade |
Dublin |
|
01-Jul |
Screening of The 34th followed by Q&A |
Dublin |
|
02-Jul |
Attending Tusla & Department of Education and Skills Seminar on Early Years Inspections |
Dublin |
|
04-Jul |
Attending Joint World Social Work & Social Development Conference |
Dublin |
|
12-Jul |
Attending Tallaght Women's Refuge Sports Day |
Dublin |
|
16-Jul |
Attend South Dublin County Council Oireachtas Members' Meeting |
Dublin |
|
20-Jul |
Numeracy & Literacy Summer Camp Awards |
Dublin |
|
27-Jul |
Attending Opening Night of Jimmy's Hall |
Dublin |
|
19-Aug |
GAA All-Ireland Hurling Final |
Dublin |
|
25-Aug |
Address by Pope Francis |
Dublin |
|
31-Aug |
Women's World Cup Qualifier - Ireland Vs. Northern Ireland |
Dublin |
|
03-Sep |
Informal Meeting of EU Youth Ministers |
Vienna, Austria |
|
13-Sep |
Attend U.S. Embassy Dublin Economic Conference |
Dublin |
|
14-Sep |
Launching KICK Academy |
Dublin |
|
15-Sep |
Attending Knocklyon Utd Family Day |
Dublin |
|
16-Sep |
TG4 All Ireland Ladies Football Championship Finals |
Dublin |
|
17-Sep |
Launching Youth Digital Skills Initiative |
Dublin |
|
18-Sep |
Senator Ruane Book Launch |
Dublin |
|
24-Sep |
Roundtable Discussion with Dr Jenni Caruso |
Dublin |
|
26-Sep |
Chambers Ireland Budget 2019 Dialogue Event |
Dublin |
|
26-Sep |
Attending Annual Oireachtas / Dublin Chamber Dinner |
Dublin |
|
04-Oct |
Opening National Children & Young Peoples Services Committee Event |
Dublin |
|
04-Oct |
Attending Early Childhood Ireland Pre-Budget Event |
Dublin |
|
10-Oct |
Department of Children & Youth Affairs Budget Press Conference |
Dublin |
|
10-Oct |
Attending 'Women for Michael D' Event |
Dublin |
|
15-Oct |
Visiting Portlaoise Family Resource Centre |
Laois |
|
15-Oct |
Visiting SHAPES Afterschool Programme |
Laois |
|
15-Oct |
Visiting Mountmellick Family Resource Centre |
Laois |
|
16-Oct |
Attending Martina Fitzgerald, book launch |
Dublin |
|
17-Oct |
Launching Growing Up in Ireland Report - Lives of 13 Year Olds |
Dublin |
|
18-Oct |
Launching 'Use Your Brain Not Your Fist' Campaign |
Dublin |
|
18-Oct |
Attending Principal Club Dinner |
Dublin |
|
19-Oct |
Launching Daughters of Charity Child & Family Services Evaluation Report |
Dublin |
|
22-Oct |
Addressing Safe World Summit 2018 |
Dublin |
|
23-Oct |
Press Conference re Site of Former Mother & Baby Home in Tuam |
Dublin |
|
25-Oct |
Attending Ernst & Young - Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2018 |
Dublin |
|
01-Nov |
Address Towards Transitional Justice Conference |
Boston, USA |
|
02-Nov |
Attend Towards Transitional Justice Conference |
Boston, USA |
|
05-Nov |
Opening Department of Children & Youth Affairs Youth Measurement Event |
Dublin |
|
07-Nov |
Attending GoCar 10 Year Anniversary Event |
Dublin |
|
08-Nov |
Opening Growing Up in Ireland Conference |
Dublin |
|
09-Nov |
Address and Attend Poverty at Home and Abroad Conference |
Dublin |
|
16-Nov |
Attending Miniature Barrel Top Wagons |
Dublin |
|
16-Nov |
Visiting St Rose's Special School |
Dublin |
|
19-Nov |
Launch of National Early Years Strategy #First5 |
Dublin |
|
19-Nov |
Attending Launch of Social Inclusion Week in South Dublin County Council |
Dublin |
|
19-Nov |
Dublin City University Inaugural Lecture & Opening Early Childhood Research Centre |
Dublin |
|
22-Nov |
Opening Comhairle na nÓg Showcase |
Dublin |
|
26-Nov |
Council of Youth Ministers |
Brussels, Belgium |
|
28-Nov |
Launch of Irish Foster Care Association Position Paper on Fostering to Adoption |
Dublin |
|
28-Nov |
Addressing Yellow Flag Awards |
Dublin |
|
30-Nov |
STEM Programme Launch |
Dublin |
|
30-Nov |
Visiting Firhouse Daycare Centre |
Dublin |
607. Deputy Kate O'Connell asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of contracts and-or tenders that have been awarded to a company (details supplied); the value of these contracts, that is, the amount the company has been paid; the services the contracts were for; and the number of public sector and-or publicly funded catering facilities being run by the company. [50357/18]
View answerMy Department has awarded 3 contracts/tenders to the company in question. The value for an exterior lighting upgrade was €46,611 while two separate payments were made in relation to catering for meetings to the value of €616 and €98 respectively.
There were no public sector or publicly funded catering facilities being run by the company for my Department.
608. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn by Tusla to difficulties in 2017 in recruiting staff to work in special care units; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50410/18]
View answer609. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the fact that prior to 1 January 2018 the special care units were not operating at full capacity due to staffing difficulties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50411/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 608 and 609 together.
The Deputy is aware that Special Care is where a child, in the absence of criminal charges, is detained on foot of an Order of the High Court, so that the child, deemed to be at immediate risk of harm to his or her life, safety or well-being, can receive the appropriate therapeutic support. This involves working closely with very vulnerable and marginalised young people. There are challenges with recruitment and retention in the area of special care, that are not unique to this jurisdiction.
I am aware that a national recruitment campaign for social care workers was organised by Tusla in 2017 which provided an extensive recruitment panel and talent pool from which newly funded and vacant positions were filled. I am also aware that due to the challenges in filling posts in the special care area, Tusla has employed agency workers, as a temporary measure, to ensure continuity of care.
Tusla has been engaged in a programme to enhance the capacity and quality of care and therapeutic supports in its special care units. Tusla is also developing bespoke recruitment initiatives for social care workers to meet the particular needs of special care. Tusla aims to have a maximum capacity of 26 places across 3 mixed gender units following the registration of special care units with Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) under the new regulations.
In addition to this, my Department provided capital funding to Tusla in 2016 and 2017 for the refurbishment and development of two special care units in the Dublin area. Due to the necessity of completing these works, one unit was not operational and one unit remained partially open at this time.
610. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if aftercare allowance can continue to be paid in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50422/18]
View answerI wish to thank the Deputy for his question, and can confirm that I have referred the matter to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, for their direct reply.
611. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason childcare providers receiving payment from the ECCE scheme were paid on 23 November 2018 and have been told there will be no payment in December and will not be paid again until January 2019. [50547/18]
View answerThe payment date for the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme that the Deputy refers to, the 23th of November 2018, is an advance batch payment for the 5 weeks between the 26th of November 2018 to the 28th of December 2018. The next batch payment date will be the 7th of January 2019, which will cover the weeks between the 31st of December 2018 and the 1st of February 2019. The 2018/2019 ECCE payment schedule was released on the PIP portal to service providers on the 14th of August 2018.
A key change that has been implemented by my Department this year is that payments are being made on a more frequent basis. There are now ten payments spread across the payment year, an increase from eight the previous year. The increase in frequency and regularisation of payments is to help assist childcare providers to forecast and manage their service's finances throughout the programme year.
612. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 528 of 27 November 2018, the location of the two actions relating to the Irish language contained in the whole-of-Government strategy for babies, young children and their families document; the reason the commitment of a further separate plan for early years Irish language provision, which was outlined in the Action Plan for the Irish Language 2018 to 2022 (details supplied), is being denied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50953/18]
View answerThe two actions contained within the recently launched Whole of Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families 2019-2028 specifically aimed at supporting the development of the Irish language within the early years sector are contained within Goal C 'Positive play-based early learning'. Objective 8 within this goal relates to 'Affordable, high-quality Early Learning and Care' and contains the following two actions:
- Introduce measures to ensure that children in Gaeltacht areas have access to Irish-medium ELC provision (Strategic Action 8.2; page 145).
- Develop mechanisms to provide Irish-language supports to ELC provision where there are high proportions of children who are learning through the medium of Irish (Strategic Action 8.3; page 147).
The Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht will lead on the delivery of the first action outlined above, as it relates to children in Gaeltacht areas. My Department will lead on the delivery of the second action, which very much links in with our commitments under the Irish Language Action Plan 2018-2022 to improve supports and services in the area of Irish-medium early years education.
As you are aware, one of the commitments contained within the Irish Language action plan relates to the creation of two Irish language early years posts to further the development of Irish language provision in the early years sector in non-Gaeltacht areas. This will include the development of a comprehensive plan for this sector. This plan will be developed through engagement with the relevant stakeholders within the sector, both within and outside the Gaeltacht. There are no plans at present to publish this plan, however it will be utilised to inform the way in which we can effectively build on existing supports, and identify and develop new initiatives, to advance the overall implementation of the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language. As outlined in Parliamentary Question No. 528 of 27 November 2018, a national oversight group will oversee the implementation of this plan and the actions contained within the five year action plan as they relate to the early years sector.
613. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if all members of the board of Oberstown Children Detention Campus were given an opportunity to read the operational review of the centre before the decision was taken in 2017 to not publish the report. [50964/18]
View answerI am advised by Oberstown Children Detention Campus, that all members of the Board were given the opportunity to read the report on the Operational Review prior to the decision taken in 2017 not to publish.
614. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of funding and-or grant aid his Department has made to an association (details supplied) from 1 January 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018; the purpose for which the funding and-or grant aid was released to the association; if the way in which the funding and-or grant aid is used is audited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50072/18]
View answerThe Department of Rural and Community Development does not currently fund the Football Association of Ireland from any of its programmes.
However, funding for the period covering 2011 to the 30 June 2014 totalling €128,542 issued during that period, paid in four instalments by the then Department of Environment, Community and Local Government under the Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO), which is now under the remit of my Department.
The SSNO provides multi-annual funding to national organisations towards the core costs associated with the provision of services. Funding under the 2011-2014 scheme was provided subject to ongoing financial and other checks, together with a programme of audit.
There was no funding awarded prior to this date and none since 30 June 2014.
|
National Organisation |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 (to 30 June 2014) |
|
Football Association of Ireland |
22,500 |
45,000 |
42,390 |
18,652 |
615. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount allocated to town centre health checks per annum; the number of checks undertaken by county; and the number planned. [50086/18]
View answerThe National Town Centre Health Check initiative was undertaken by the Heritage Council in conjunction with a number of partner organisations. The Heritage Council comes under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
While there is no specific allocation set aside by my Department for town centre health checks, the preparation and development of such checks are eligible for support under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme which is operated by my Department.
I recently approved funding of €21.3 million to 224 rural towns and villages under the 2018 Town and Village Renewal Scheme, with an emphasis on projects that focus on improving the economic development of those towns and villages. A number of these projects included proposals for the development of town health checks and town plans. As these proposals were generally part of a larger initiative, the precise details of the amount of funding allocated to health checks by the projects in question is not available.
In addition to the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, assistance may be available for feasibility studies under the LEADER Programme for this type of initiative, subject to certain conditions. Applications for LEADER funding are made directly to the Local Action Groups who deliver the programme in each LEADER sub-regional area.
616. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the external consultant reports commissioned by his Department in each of the years March 2011 to 2017 and to date in 2018; the cost of same; the company involved; and the title and publication date by report in tabular form. [50102/18]
View answerMy Department was established on 19 July 2017. I have listed in the following table the external consultants commissioned to undertake work on behalf of my Department from that date, to-date.
In each case the reports/material produced were for internal or stakeholder use only, and not for external publication.
|
Title |
Company |
Cost € |
Date published |
|
Provision of Technical Support for the development of Shared Telecoms Infrastructure by Local Authorities |
4SITE |
€19,767.00 (Incl. VAT) |
Final technical drawings were received 9 November 2018. 4Site documents were for internal use only and were not published externally. |
|
Provision of Development of Local Digital Strategies for all Local Authorities |
Indecon International Economic Consultants |
€149,246.97 (Incl. VAT) |
Expert workshops run on 25/26 June 2018. Final guidelines for development of strategies issued 25 September 2018. Local Digital Strategies were published to each individual local authority and were not published externally. |
|
Preparation of guidance & delivery of training for local authorities & industry on environmental screening / appropriate assessment of works in relation to rollout of telecommunications infrastructure, primarily related to the rollout the National Broadband Plan. The Environmental screening piece will also be only for internal/local authority use and will not be published externally. |
RPS |
€79,089 (Incl. VAT) |
Due Q2 2019 |
|
Internal report to assist in developing our HR strategy |
Athrú Consulting |
€15,000 estd. |
An internal report to assist in developing our HR strategy at an estimated cost of 15,000 work due for completion January 2019. |
|
Project Management Assistance KOSI Corporation Ltd |
KOSI Corporation |
€12,822.75 (incl vat) |
Project Management Assistance, a report will not be published. |
617. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of reports and-or complaints made to the Charities Regulatory Authority, CRA, regarding the repeal of the eighth amendment; if his attention has been drawn to instances in which the CRA communicated or engaged with charity groups and-or theatre groups to indicate that charity status may be revoked in respect of their activities if they held pro- or anti-choice events (details supplied); the number of reports of potential breaches of the Charities Act 2009 that were followed up with an investigation and upheld as breaches of the Act; the number of reports and-or complaints that were dismissed as no breach had occurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50114/18]
View answerSection 14 (3) of the Charities Act 2009, provides that the Charities Regulator is independent in the performance of its statutory functions. My Department has no function in investigating potential breaches of the Charities Act, including recording the number of complaints received or correspondence with organisations on the matter of potential breaches of the Act.
The Charities Regulator has a process for the receipt of concerns where it is believed an organisation may be in breach of the Charities Act. Any concerns, including those outlined by the Deputy, should be forwarded to the Charities Regulator, www.charitiesregulator.ie. All concerns received are managed in line with its concerns policy which is publicly available on its website.
I am informed that a breakdown of all concerns received during 2017 is provided in the Compliance Report 2017 which was published in August 2018 and is available on the Charities Regulator’s website.
The Charities Regulator published guidance on “Charities and the Promotion of Political Causes” in February 2018 in order to assist registered charities to remain compliant with their obligations under the Charities Act.
618. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the capital spend by his Department to date in 2018 including the capital carry-over from 2017, by subhead; the provision under each subhead including the capital carry-over from 2017 provided for in the Revised Estimates volume for 2018; the details of the overspends or underspends under each subhead; the action to be taken to deal with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50153/18]
View answerThe Revised Estimates for 2018 in respect of the Department of Rural and Community Development sets out gross capital expenditure of €87.5m; this is supplemented by some €7.7m capital carried forward from 2017.
€65.7m of my Department's capital allocation has been spent to end November 2018, with €29.5 million in capital expenditure due to be utilised before the end of the year.
I have set out expenditure to date in the following table against the total capital provision.
Close monitoring of expenditure is a matter of significant priority so as to ensure full use of our allocated resources, and that value for money is delivered in respect of our funding. Expenditure trends in recent years bear out the fact that an increased amount of claims for payment are made in November and December as projects and initiatives progress to completion and capital grant approvals are draw down.
It is not possible to identify at this juncture precise overspends and underspends on a subhead basis. I have identified, however, areas where some capital programmes are unlikely to spend their full allocation this year. For example, whilst LEADER activity is ramping up and a healthy pipeline of projects have been approved, the LEADER programme will not require its full allocation this year.
I have therefore been proactive in reallocating capital resources as necessary and where possible. For example, I have expanded the Community Enhancement Programme this year, increased investment in Libraries, and provided additional support to fund the Local Improvement Schemes. I have also supported the development of Coillte trails, Tidy Towns, Agricultural Shows and Men's Sheds Organisations.
My Department remains focused on ensuring claims are made and processed to ensure spend by year end. Monitoring expenditure closely continues and, if necessary, re-allocating resources to priorities elsewhere will take place.
I will ensure that in 2018 the resources made available to my Department will be fully utilised, delivering benefits for all communities and for rural Ireland.
Capital Expenditure to date
|
REV 2018 |
YTD - Actual |
|
|
V42 – GROSS (€’000s) |
95,208 |
65,738 |
|
A - REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT & REGIONAL AFFAIRS |
85,855 |
51,477 |
|
A.2 - ADMINISTRATION - NON PAY |
166 |
169 |
|
A.3 - DORMANT ACCOUNT MEASURES |
2,006 |
0 |
|
A.5 - NATIONAL RURAL DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES |
18,083 |
9,961 |
|
A.6 - LEADER - RURAL ECONOMY SUB PROGRAMME |
40,000 |
20,740 |
|
A.8 - TOWN AND VILLAGE REGENERATION |
15,000 |
10,346 |
|
A.9 - RURAL BROADBAND, REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
600 |
288 |
|
A.10. - LOCAL IMPROVEMENT SCHEMES |
10,000 |
9,972 |
|
B - COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
9,353 |
14,261 |
|
B.2 - ADMINISTRATION - NON PAY |
136 |
110 |
|
B.6 - RAPID |
3,767 |
2,984 |
|
B.8 - PROGRAMME FOR PEACE AND RECONCILIATION |
700 |
0 |
|
B.10 - LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT AND ARCHIVE SERVICE |
2,750 |
667 |
|
B.11 - COMMUNITY FACILITIES FUND |
2,000 |
10,500 |
619. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the progress made to date with the roll-out of the LEADER programme 2014 to 2020; the expenditure incurred to date on the programme by administrative, animation and projects costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50154/18]
View answerLEADER is a multi-annual programme which has a total budget of €250 million over the period to 2020.
Total expenditure on the LEADER programme since it commenced - effectively in 2016 when the majority of Funding Agreements were signed - amounts to over €34 million. This comprises:
- €1.47 million in preparatory costs incurred by the LEADER Local Action Groups (LAGs) to develop Local Development Strategies.
- €21.61 million in administration costs of the LAGs and the cost of their engagement with communities to generate projects - also referred to as "animation" costs.
- €11.03 million on project expenditure.
The level of project activity under the LEADER programme has increased significantly this year, and 1,525 projects have now been approved for funding of over €50 million, compared to 592 projects approved at the end of 2017. A further 370 project applications, requesting an additional €23.4 million, are at various stages in the approval process.
Project payments have also increased significantly in recent months as approved works are completed and claims are submitted. Over €10 million of project expenditure has been incurred in 2018, compared to just under €700,000 in 2017.
I expect that the progress now being made on the LEADER programme will continue as further projects are approved and payment claims are made. The progress has been assisted by improvements made by my Department in the last year to the applications and approvals process in consultation with the LAGs.
620. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of projects approved to date by each local action group under the 2014 to 2020 LEADER programme; the amount approved for projects to date by each local action group under the LEADER programme; the total amount in euro expended to date by each local action group under the LEADER programme in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50155/18]
View answerLEADER is a multi-annual programme which has a total budget of €250 million over the period to 2020. Funding to cover the full period of the programme has been allocated to each of the individual Local Action Groups (LAGs) who deliver LEADER.
Table 1 provides a breakdown of the number and value of projects approved by each Local Action Group to date, together with the total expenditure incurred in each LAG area. The expenditure figure provided for each LAG includes:
- preparatory costs incurred to develop their Local Development Strategy;
- administration costs of the LAG and the cost of their engagement with communities to generate projects - also referred to as "animation" costs;
- project expenditure.
Total expenditure on the LEADER programme since it commenced, effectively in 2016, has amounted to over €34 million. The level of project activity under the LEADER programme has increased significantly this year, and 1,525 projects have now been approved for funding of over €50 million. A further 370 project applications, requesting an additional €23.4 million, are at various stages in the approval process.
Table 1: Total LEADER Approvals and Expenditure by LAG as of 2 December 2018
|
Local Action Group |
No. of Projects Approved |
Value of Projects Approved |
Total Expenditure |
|
Carlow |
21 |
€1,197,148 |
€1,023,420 |
|
Cavan |
30 |
€1,648,470 |
€1,030,279 |
|
Clare |
101 |
€2,006,658 |
€1,575,079 |
|
Cork North |
41 |
€1,686,228 |
€1,220,437 |
|
Cork South |
18 |
€503,680 |
€772,579 |
|
Cork West |
24 |
€751,826 |
€961,952 |
|
Donegal |
103 |
€4,375,932 |
€2,986,275 |
|
Dublin Rural |
39 |
€1,325,525 |
€903,257 |
|
Galway East |
32 |
€1,254,799 |
€850,356 |
|
Galway West |
22 |
€381,245 |
€465,057 |
|
Kerry |
162 |
€3,137,005 |
€2,019,235 |
|
Kildare |
17 |
€612,926 |
€441,215 |
|
Kilkenny |
55 |
€1,498,732 |
€1,647,822 |
|
Laois |
41 |
€941,706 |
€899,079 |
|
Leitrim |
50 |
€1,783,735 |
€956,193 |
|
Limerick |
70 |
€3,038,185 |
€1,537,751 |
|
Longford |
39 |
€945,154 |
€620,854 |
|
Louth |
52 |
€1,164,088 |
€793,782 |
|
Mayo |
88 |
€3,689,625 |
€1,886,419 |
|
Meath |
19 |
€800,882 |
€852,910 |
|
Monaghan |
33 |
€1,473,822 |
€911,507 |
|
Offaly |
93 |
€2,333,738 |
€1,620,292 |
|
Roscommon |
33 |
€1,984,189 |
€946,072 |
|
Sligo |
66 |
€2,306,081 |
€1,058,268 |
|
Tipperary |
97 |
€2,888,021 |
€1,369,480 |
|
Waterford |
47 |
€3,066,662 |
€1,904,916 |
|
Westmeath |
34 |
€512,511 |
€863,462 |
|
Wexford |
68 |
€2,283,501 |
€1,230,172 |
|
Wicklow |
30 |
€935,937 |
€772,171 |
|
Grand Total |
1,525 |
€50,528,010 |
€34,120,290 |
621. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of projects approved by 30 June 2017 and 30 June 2018 for each local action group under the 2014 to 2020 LEADER programme; the number of approved projects in each local action group that subsequently received funding in that calendar year; and the number of approved projects in each local action group that did not receive funding in that calendar year in tabular form. [50156/18]
View answerProjects under the LEADER programme are approved by the Local Action Groups (LAGs) which administer the programme in each LEADER sub-regional area.
Expenditure on LEADER projects is drawn down as the projects are implemented and the promoters submit claims for payment to the LAGs.
Grant funding can be drawn down on a phased basis and a maximum of five phased payments are permitted. The approved works must be fully completed by the project promoter prior to the final payment.
44 projects were approved by the Local Action Groups by 30th June 2017. Payment claims were submitted in respect of 25 of these projects and were processed by the end of 2017. The remaining 19 projects did not receive a payment in 2017.
By 30th June 2018, a total of 1,126 projects (including the 44 referenced above) had been approved by the LAGs. Payment in respect 442 projects have been made to date in 2018, leaving 684 projects where claims have not yet been received by my Department or finalised for payment.
Table 1 provides a breakdown of these project approvals and payment claims data for each LAG area.
Table 1: LEADER Project Approvals and Claims data.
|
Projects approved by 30th June 2017 |
Projects approved by 30th June 2018 |
|||||
|
Local Action Group |
Projects Approved |
No of Projects which received a payment in 2017 |
No of Projects which did not receive a payment in 2017 |
Projects Approved |
No of Projects which received a payment in 2018 |
No of Projects which have not received a payment in 2018 |
|
Carlow |
2 |
1 |
1 |
16 |
10 |
6 |
|
Cavan |
0 |
0 |
0 |
17 |
13 |
4 |
|
Clare |
0 |
0 |
0 |
72 |
26 |
46 |
|
Cork North |
0 |
0 |
0 |
29 |
10 |
19 |
|
Cork South |
0 |
0 |
0 |
14 |
3 |
11 |
|
Cork West |
0 |
0 |
0 |
18 |
4 |
14 |
|
Donegal |
0 |
0 |
0 |
78 |
52 |
26 |
|
Dublin Rural |
0 |
0 |
0 |
29 |
12 |
17 |
|
Galway East |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
5 |
|
Galway West |
0 |
0 |
0 |
20 |
8 |
12 |
|
Kerry |
1 |
0 |
1 |
138 |
40 |
98 |
|
Kildare |
0 |
0 |
0 |
12 |
1 |
11 |
|
Kilkenny |
6 |
6 |
0 |
44 |
25 |
19 |
|
Laois |
0 |
0 |
0 |
37 |
14 |
23 |
|
Leitrim |
0 |
0 |
0 |
36 |
13 |
23 |
|
Limerick |
0 |
0 |
0 |
59 |
6 |
53 |
|
Longford |
0 |
0 |
0 |
27 |
5 |
22 |
|
Louth |
0 |
0 |
0 |
26 |
14 |
12 |
|
Mayo |
0 |
0 |
0 |
61 |
26 |
35 |
|
Meath |
5 |
2 |
3 |
12 |
5 |
7 |
|
Monaghan |
0 |
0 |
0 |
24 |
9 |
15 |
|
Offaly |
12 |
11 |
1 |
71 |
45 |
26 |
|
Roscommon |
0 |
0 |
0 |
16 |
5 |
11 |
|
Sligo |
13 |
5 |
8 |
56 |
18 |
38 |
|
Tipperary |
3 |
0 |
3 |
76 |
18 |
58 |
|
Waterford |
0 |
0 |
0 |
34 |
21 |
13 |
|
Westmeath |
2 |
0 |
2 |
31 |
12 |
19 |
|
Wexford |
0 |
0 |
0 |
47 |
21 |
26 |
|
Wicklow |
0 |
0 |
0 |
21 |
6 |
15 |
|
Totals |
44 |
25 |
19 |
1,126 |
442 |
684 |
622. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount allocated by current and capital expenditure in 2018 to schemes (details supplied); and the total expended in each such scheme to date in tabular form. [50157/18]
View answerThe Current and Capital allocations for the schemes referred to by the Deputy, as provided for in the 2018 Revised Estimates Volume, are outlined in the following table, together with latest details of expenditure incurred under each of the schemes in question.
|
Scheme/Programme |
Current Allocation |
Current Expenditure to date |
Capital Allocation |
Capital Expenditure to date |
|
Town and Village Renewal Scheme |
-- |
-- |
€15,000,000 |
€11,420,126 |
|
Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme |
€1,000,000 |
€316,930 |
€10,383,000 |
€5,937,807 |
|
Walks Scheme |
€2,000,000 |
€2,000,000 |
-- |
-- |
|
CLÁR Programme |
-- |
-- |
€5,000,000 |
€3,530,250 |
|
Local Improvement Scheme |
-- |
-- |
€10,000,000 |
€10,323,310 |
|
Community Enhancement Programme (and all measures under the RAPID subhead) |
€2,233,000 |
€1,551,000 |
€5,767,000 |
€13,484,000 |
The new Community Enhancement Programme was launched in May 2018. It built on and replaced the Communities Facilities Scheme and the RAPID programme that operated in 2017. The table shows the total amount allocated across these programmes, and other measures under the RAPID subhead, in the Revised Estimates Volume. Due to the success of the new Community Enhancement Programme and the level of demand in communities, a further €8.5 million in Capital funding was allocated to the programme in the second half of the year from savings identified elsewhere in my Department’s Vote, with the approval of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
Similarly, an additional allocation of just under €10 million was announced for the Local Improvement Scheme in October, based on the level of demand and the capacity of the Local Authorities to substantively deliver the works before the end of the year.
My Department is continuing to process payment claims under the programmes listed above and on other programmes and I am confident that the overall programme funding available in my Department’s Vote will be spent by the end of the year.
623. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount prepaid to local authorities at the end of 2017 for rural development purposes; the schemes under which it was allocated, by local authority; the amount of the funding which has been spent by each local authority on each scheme to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50158/18]
View answerThe detailed information sought by the Deputy is not available within the timeframe required to respond to this question. However, I have my officials to collate the information requested and I will forward it to the Deputy in the coming days.
624. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of expenditure that has been incurred to date under the moneys sanctioned by him by each local authority on the local improvement scheme; the amount of funding including pre-funding paid to each local authority under the scheme; the latest date given to local authorities to have the work completed and appropriate certification made available to his Department in the case of pre-funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50159/18]
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 scheme in September 2017, following a number of years when no dedicated LIS funding was available. I allocated a total of €17.4 million to Local Authorities under two tranches of LIS funding in 2017, and details of these allocations are available on my Department's website, www.drcd.gov.ie. Payments were made to the Local Authorities on the basis that they could draw down their funding once 50% of their projects were completed and that the remaining works would be substantially completed by the end of 2017.
I allocated an initial sum of €10.8 million to Local Authorities across the country in February this year under the 2018 LIS, and it is this funding that I presume the Deputy refers to specifically in his question. Funding was allocated on the basis that payments would be made in arrears, on completion of the projects in question.
As of 28 November, a total of €10,007,575 has been paid in respect of this round of funding to Local Authorities on foot of certification of completion of works.
On 26 October, I announced a further round of LIS funding, with an allocation of almost €10 million to Local Authorities, based on their capacity to have the additional works substantially completed by the end of the year. No payments have issued in respect of Round 2 allocations to date.
LIS 2018
|
County |
Allocation Round 1 |
Funding paid to date Round 1 |
Allocation Round 2 |
|
Carlow |
€243,630 |
€243,630 |
€278,279.00 |
|
Cavan |
€295,000 |
€295,000.00 |
€341,680.00 |
|
Clare |
€482,000 |
€473,708.00 |
€556,844.00 |
|
Cork |
€1,000,000 |
€754,636.00 |
€700,000.00 |
|
Donegal |
€884,000 |
€815,122.55 |
€908,516.00 |
|
Galway |
€942,001 |
€942,000.00 |
€1,000,000.00 |
|
Kerry |
€726,976 |
€445,885.61 |
€482,990.00 |
|
Kildare |
€249,999 |
€249,999.00 |
€79,591.00 |
|
Kilkenny |
€315,000 |
€315,000.00 |
€364,683.00 |
|
Laois |
€264,146 |
€257,799.05 |
€304,255.00 |
|
Leitrim |
€250,001 |
€250,000.00 |
€300,120.00 |
|
Limerick |
€411,000 |
€322,730.83 |
€273,349.00 |
|
Longford |
€249,020 |
€223,713.81 |
€222,217.00 |
|
Louth |
€249,984 |
€239,275.00 |
-- |
|
Mayo |
€855,000 |
€840,651.00 |
€988,235.00 |
|
Meath |
€359,000 |
€359,000.00 |
€414,404.00 |
|
Monaghan |
€250,000 |
€250,000.00 |
€290,841.00 |
|
Offaly |
€290,765 |
€290,597.00 |
€353,889.00 |
|
Roscommon |
€370,290 |
€369,255.00 |
€450,678.00 |
|
Sligo |
€282,000 |
€282,000.40 |
€324,870.00 |
|
Tipperary |
€624,866 |
€587,227.46 |
€168,818.00 |
|
Waterford |
€282,000 |
€282,000.00 |
€325,047.00 |
|
Westmeath |
€282,000 |
€282,000.00 |
€325,224.00 |
|
Wexford |
€354,519 |
€326,365.00 |
€151,410.00 |
|
Wicklow |
€310,000 |
€310,000.00 |
€358,135.00 |
|
TOTAL |
€10,823,196 |
€10,007,595.71 |
€9,964,072 |
