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Departmental Functions

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 April 2019

Wednesday, 3 April 2019

Questions (216)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

216. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if his Department continues to address issues such as rural and urban isolation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15633/19]

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Written answers

The issue of isolation, whether in urban or rural areas, is one which requires a response containing a combination of policy initiatives and actions delivered across a number of Government Departments.

For my part, I am committed to continuing my Department's response to the issue, which includes ongoing contact with local and community groups and other stakeholders where appropriate to identify potential measures to assist communities affected.

The publication on 7 December 2018 of the Call for Input Paper on Volunteering is the first step in developing a national volunteering policy. Volunteering plays a critical part in empowering individuals to become more involved in their communities and is proven to assist with the development of mental health wellbeing.

The Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development and Framework Policy for Local and Community Development include a range of measures which will contribute significantly to addressing isolation and social inclusion in both rural and urban areas and as Minister for Rural and Community Development I will continue to advocate for a cross government approach to ensuring the rural and community voice is heard in relation to matters of policy.

The current Action Plan runs to the end of 2019 and consideration is now being given to future rural development policy. An implementation plan for the Framework Policy for Local and Community Development in Ireland, published in 2016, is also currently at an advanced stage, and I am confident that these plans will propose further actions that will address isolation issues in our communities.

Specific examples of actions being delivered by my Department which are helping those who feel isolated or vulnerable in communities include:

- Significant investment in the Seniors Alert Scheme, which facilitates valuable community-based support for vulnerable older people living alone. During 2018, spend on the Scheme amounted to almost €7 million, with over 19,200 applications for personal alarms approved. This is an important programme which enables older persons of limited means to continue to live in their own homes at the heart of their communities with confidence, independence and peace of mind.

- The new five-year Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme, or SICAP, which commenced at the start of 2018, is our country’s primary social inclusion intervention. This is a national programme that is delivered locally with funding of €190 million over a five-year period to help those in the greatest need.  

- Support for approximately 447 Men’s Sheds across Ireland, with sheds present in all 32 counties, which provide a safe space where men can gather and participate in their communities, develop social networks and potentially gain new skills and access information. Ireland continues to enjoy the highest per capita concentration of Men’s Sheds in the world. Last year, I provided funding of €500,000 to support the work of Men’s Sheds throughout Ireland.

- The LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 which will provide €250 million in financial resources to address the challenges facing rural areas over the course of the programme period, particularly under the themes of economic development and social inclusion.

In addition, other actions in the current Action Plan for Rural Development being delivered by Departments across government that will help those who feel isolated or vulnerable include:

- Investment of €46 million in Garda fleet to ensure that Gardaí are mobile, visible and responsive to prevent and tackle crime.

- Maintaining the network of senior helplines in operation throughout the country, which offer a listening service for older people to help address issues such as loneliness and isolation in rural areas.

- Continued support and prioritisation of community crime prevention through schemes such as Neighbourhood Watch and Text Alert. Since its launch in September 2013, community Text Alert has grown quickly with a total of 164,000 subscribers and in the order of 3 million text messages sent annually.

- Continued improvements in the Rural Transport Programme, including the provision of new routes. A total of 65 new evening/night time Local Link services were approved for funding in 2018, with the majority of approved services commencing operation in July 2018. Funding was provided for services operating up to 31 December 2018 (six month pilot). New regular scheduled Local Link services were launched in 2018 in Donegal, Sligo, Waterford, Galway, Cavan, Monaghan, Offaly and Kerry.

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