Written Answers Nos. 28-47
29. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 88 of 3 April 2019, the timeframe for such a review; if his Department has completed its review for 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43048/19]
View answerFollowing a public consultation process, my Department published new Guidelines for Dog Breeding Establishments in 2018. These were put in place under the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010, and came into effect on 1 January of this year.
Having published the new Guidelines, my Department is now identifying any necessary legislative changes that may be required to further improve standards. This review is currently underway and involves an examination of relevant legislation to ensure that existing laws and international best practice, as well as the views of stakeholders, are taken into account. Any amendments to the Act will be dependent on the outcome of this review. This work is ongoing and I expect that a first draft of Heads of a Bill will be prepared by my Department before year end.
Examples of matters that are being considered include whether the definition of a dog breeding establishment should be changed to reference three rather than six breeding bitches, whether there should be more offences introduced, and whether there should be an overall cap on the number of dogs in an establishment. These and other points need to be carefully considered to ensure an appropriate approach is taken.
30. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the budget 2020 supports for the community and voluntary sector to deal with all Brexit scenarios. [43788/19]
View answerPreparations for all the various Brexit scenarios are being led at Government level by my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr. Simon Coveney, T.D.
My Department and its agencies have fed into these preparations and will continue to engage across Government and with our stakeholders in the rural and community development sectors.
My Department's focus continues to be on maintaining maximum flexibility in our programme of funding initiatives, to enable us to continue to support all communities and to target available funding to those economic sectors and geographic areas most in need.
In total, my Department has an allocation of €148 million in 2019 for its community development programmes.
Using this funding my Department provides a wide range of supports to the community and voluntary sector, through major Government programmes such as the Community Services Programme (CSP) and Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), and other schemes such as the PEACE Programme, Community Enhancement Programme, Seniors Alert Scheme, the Scheme and Supports for National Organisations, and supports for volunteering.
Supporting this sector will remain a priority post-Brexit, and my focus continues to be supporting the development of sustainable, inclusive and empowered communities across the country.
Budget 2020 provided for an increase in my Department's budget of €17 million which I intend to use for targeted measures across the rural and community development areas.
The exact breakdown of budget allocations will fall to be considered in the context of the Revised Estimates 2020 to be published in December by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and should reprioritisation of funding be required post-Brexit, this can be considered as part of that process.
However, at this stage, I expect these allocations to include the following increased supports for the community development area:
- an increase in funding to the PEACE programme of €2million, to €7million. This programme is particularly important given current uncertainty surrounding Brexit. It is designed to promote positive relations and social cohesion in the cross border region. The total value of the programme is approximately €270 million (85% funded by the EU).
- a €3 million package of targeted supports for the community and voluntary sector, and organisations and individuals in disadvantaged communities
- an additional €1.5 million across the SICAP and CSP (€43.2 million and €46.2 million respectively in 2019) to fund some new organisations and to provide targeted supports for disadvantaged communities.
- €1.2 million to support the implementation of measures in the new Strategy for Community and Voluntary Sector development in Ireland and a further €300,000 to support delivery of the recently published National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland.
31. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the CLÁR programme; the impact of the programme in rural areas such as County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43813/19]
View answerCLÁR is a targeted capital investment programme for rural areas which have experienced significant levels of depopulation. The programme was originally launched in October 2001 but was closed for applications in 2010. I re-opened the programme in 2016 and, since then, over 1,400 projects have been approved for CLÁR funding of almost €33 million, including more than €1.5 million for 61 projects in County Clare.
I launched the 2019 CLÁR programme on 28th February for projects under the following measures:
Measure 1: Support for Schools/Community Safety Measures
Measure 2: Play Areas
Measure 3: Community Wellbeing Support
3a First Response Support
3b Mobility and Cancer Care Transport
3c Sensory Gardens.
Over 490 applications were received and I have announced 179 successful projects across the 3 Measures, to the value of €5.9 million this year.
The CLÁR programme makes a significant contribution to the rural communities it serves. A modest investment under the CLÁR programme, such as for the provision of a play area or specialist sensory garden, can have a significant impact on a community, by providing a safe location for children, including those with special needs, to play and for their parents to meet.
The programme is also helping to make rural schools safer for our children and their parents by funding footpaths and traffic calming measures in the vicinity of those schools.
The CLÁR programme has also supported voluntary first-response organisations who provide an excellent and vital service in many rural areas, often under very difficult circumstances. It has funded vehicles for organisations who provide transport for service users in rural areas under the Mobility and Cancer Care Measure. This is a vital resource for all those who avail of it.
Overall, I am very pleased with the impact which CLÁR funding is having in rural areas. I regularly see the good projects for which the funding has been used in my engagement with communities around the country.
32. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the progress on the pilot scheme to encourage residential occupancy in rural towns and villages as committed to under the Action Plan for Rural Development. [43789/19]
View answerThe Action Plan for Rural Development included a commitment to develop a pilot scheme to encourage increased residential occupancy in rural towns and villages. I launched this initiative last October and announced that six towns had been invited to participate in the initial pilot. The towns in question are:
1. Boyle, Co Roscommon
2. Callan, Co Kilkenny
3. Ballinrobe, Co Mayo
4. Banagher, Co Offaly
5. Castleblayney, Co Monaghan
6. Cappoquin, Co Waterford
Funding of up to €100,000 each is being made available to these towns to develop proposals to encourage town centre living. To date, €75,000 has been drawn down by each Local Authority involved. This funding is being used by the Local Authorities to engage with communities and local businesses to identify practical solutions to increase the number of people living in their town centres.
Representatives from each of the participating towns meet collectively on a regular basis to discuss the issues that are emerging from their work on the pilot initiative.
It is envisaged that the lessons learned through this pilot can help to inform the approach to supporting and investing in rural towns and villages in the future, and lead to the development of more substantive proposals for funding from the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.
I received an interim progress report from each of the Local Authorities involved in the pilot scheme earlier in the year. A further, more comprehensive, report on the issues identified and suggested courses of action, will be produced for the Department by the end of the year.
33. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding he will make available for SICAP in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43802/19]
View answerIn 2019, funding of €38.027m was allocated under SICAP for provision to the Local Development Companies that deliver the programme.
Allocations in respect of 2020 will be finalised in the context of the Revised Estimates 2020 to be published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in December.
However, in the recent budget I secured some additional funding for use across the Community Development Programme. I expect therefore that the 2020 SICAP funding may include a slight increase relative to 2019, the details of which are currently under discussion within my Department.
34. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to allocate funding in 2019 to an initiative (details supplied); the funding provided to such projects in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43812/19]
View answerMy Department is providing a range of supports in 2019 which Men’s Sheds can avail of.
Earlier this year, I announced a special ring-fenced fund under the Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) for Men's and Women's Sheds. This provided €0.5 million for Sheds to carry out minor capital works or to purchase equipment. The amount allocated to County Clare under this ring-fenced fund was €11,780 which supported 10 sheds.
In addition, depending on the project being completed, the Sheds were eligible to apply for other grant programmes funded by my Department, including the main Community Enhancement Programme under which €139,257 was allocated to County Clare.
List of Sheds in County Clare funded under ring-fenced fund, under CEP 2019
|
Group |
Area |
DRCD Funding |
|
Parteen St - Nicholas Men's Shed |
Parteen |
€ 1,200 |
|
Sixmilebridge/Kilmurry Men's Shed |
Sixmilebridge/Kilmurry |
€ 1,299 |
|
Doonbeg Men's Shed |
Doonbeg |
€ 1,007 |
|
Clarecastle Men's Shed |
Clarecastle |
€ 1,299 |
|
Ennistymon Men's Shed |
Ennistymon |
€ 1,178 |
|
Mountshannon Men's Shed |
Mountshannon |
€ 1,178 |
|
Ennis West Men's Shed |
Ennis |
€ 1,284 |
|
Shannon Men's Shed |
Shannon |
€ 1,200 |
|
Cora Caitlin Men's Shed |
Newmarket on Fergus |
€ 838 |
|
Ennis Men's Shed |
Ennis |
€ 1,299 |
35. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the local improvement scheme to local authorities nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43043/19]
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 announced funding of €10 million for Local Authorities across the country under the LIS in 2019. The list of projects which each of the Councils has selected for improvement works under the scheme are available on my Department’s website at: https://www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/d309ea-local-improvement-scheme/.
Over 1,700 roads have benefited from improvement works since I re-launched the LIS in 2017. This is having a hugely positive impact for residents and landowners along those roads in terms of access to their premises and properties.
There is a continuing demand for LIS funding in rural communities across Ireland and I intend to launch that a new round of LIS funding in 2020. I also want to review the scheme to ensure that it operates as effectively as possible for the people who live along the roads and for the taxpayers who are funding the scheme.
36. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the rural regeneration and development fund; the role the fund is having in rural regeneration in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43810/19]
View answerThe Rural Regeneration and Development Fund seeks to support ambitious and strategic projects which have the potential to transform rural economies and communities. The Government has committed €1 billion over 10 years to the Fund and €315 million is allocated to the Fund for the period 2019-2022.
Following the conclusion of the first call under the Fund in February 2019, a total of 84 successful projects had been announced, with funding of €86m provided from the Fund to support projects worth a total of €117m.
Arising from the first call, I allocated €7,757,392 in funding to projects in County Limerick. Some of the successful projects included:
- The expansion of the Great Southern Greenway which received €2.7 million in funding;
- The construction of a multi-purpose community building in Murrow which received €3.8 million in funding; and
- The development of the West Limerick Tourism Gateway which received €330,000 in funding.
The second call for Category 1 applications for the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund closed on 6 August 2019. Category 1 projects are projects which have all necessary planning and other consents in place and are ready to proceed. I expect to be in a position to announce the successful Category 1 projects from the second call shortly.
It is planned that the second call for Category 2 applications, which relate to projects which need further development to be ready for Category 1 status, will open later in the year.
In conclusion, it is important to note that this is a 10 year Fund and those who are considering applications can plan with the knowledge that the Fund will be there when their proposals are ready. I am asking that all local authorities, State agencies, LEADER Local Action Groups and other potential lead parties work with rural communities to identify and develop ambitious projects which will deliver significant regeneration and development to their areas. My Department will work with you to ensure the greatest possible impacts are realised by the support provided by the Fund in the years ahead.
37. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his views on LEADER and its underspend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43661/19]
View answerLEADER is a multi-annual programme which has a total budget of €250 million over the period to 2020.
Total expenditure on LEADER since the programme commenced - effectively in 2016 when the majority of Funding Agreements were signed - amounts to €69.5 million. This comprises:
- €1.5 million in initial costs incurred by the LEADER Local Action Groups (LAGs) to develop their Local Development Strategies.
- €31.9 million in administration costs of the LAGs and the cost of their engagement with communities to generate projects.
- €36.1 million on project expenditure.
The level of project activity under the LEADER programme has increased significantly over the last year. Over 2,400 projects have now been approved for funding of over €91.8 million. A further 310 applications, requesting an additional €26.4 million, are at an earlier stage in the approvals process. Project expenditure will increase significantly as these projects are implemented and payments are drawn down.
In addition, over 100 Food and Co-operation projects have been approved at national level, outside of the core budget available to the LAGs.
A sum of €30 million was provided for LEADER in my Department's Vote this year. This level of expenditure has already been reached and I am re-allocating €10 million from savings elsewhere in my Vote to meet the anticipated spend on LEADER this year. There is, therefore, no underspend on the programme this year and I am confident that all of the funding available under LEADER will be utilised over the remainder of the programming period.
38. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of applications from County Kildare for funding under the rural regeneration development fund, including for the Barrow blueway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43825/19]
View answerUnder Project Ireland 2040, the Government has committed €1 billion to the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund over a 10 year period to support rural economic development and help build strong communities. The Fund has been allocated €315m over the period 2019 to 2022.
The second call for Category 1 applications for the Fund closed at on 6 August and there was an excellent response from all across the country. My Department received 69 applications for funding under the call, one of which related to the Barrow Blueway project.
My Department is currently finalising the assessment process in relation to the applications, carried out in conjunction with the Project Advisory Board for the Fund, which is comprised of representatives from key Government Departments and independent experts.
My Department will prepare a report detailing the outcome of that process and my role as Minister will be to consider that report and make final decisions in relation to the allocation of funding. In that regard, I expect to be in a position to announce the successful Category 1 projects from the second call shortly.
39. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to allocate funding in 2019 for the various agricultural shows; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43815/19]
View answerAgricultural shows are a great celebration of all that is good about rural Ireland and they are an integral part of our culture. The shows provide a welcome boost for local economies and attract visitors to enjoy our rural towns and villages at their best.
Over the last two years, I have allocated funding of €1.4 million to support many of Ireland’s the Agricultural Shows, through the Irish Shows Association.
I am delighted to announce today that I am allocating further funding of €600,000 to the Irish Shows Association to support shows due to take place in 2020. Each qualifying show will receive a payment of approximately €5,000 to support their event.
This funding will be a huge boost for more than 100 shows which will take place next year and is a fitting recognition of the valuable contribution they make to the economies and communities of rural Ireland.
40. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the timeline for the completion of the new action plan for rural development; and if he made a request seeking the transfer of further responsibilities for rural development to his Department. [43785/19]
View answerThe Government's Action Plan for Rural Development was published in January 2017 as a three-year plan to support the economic and social development of rural Ireland. The Action Plan runs to the end of 2019, and my Department is currently developing the next phase of rural policy, from 2020 onwards.
The new policy will build on the Action Plan for Rural Development. It will be forward-looking, and will seek to strengthen and build resilience in our rural economies and communities.
The process of developing the policy has involved a wide range of consultation events with key stakeholders, including Government Departments, State agencies, rural stakeholder groups, young people, and the wider public.
The public was also invited to contribute to informing the next phase of rural policy through an online survey which allowed respondents to prioritise what they consider to be the main challenges and opportunities in relation to rural Ireland. There has been a very significant response to the online survey, with 1,733 responses. These inputs received are now being considered by my Department.
As is the case with the current Action Plan, the new policy will reflect a whole-of-Government commitment to rural Ireland. In that context an Inter-Departmental Working Group has been established to support the development of the policy and to ensure synergies with key policies across Government. The Group will continue to meet over the coming months until the new policy has been fully developed.
Since my Department was established in July 2017, we have delivered a wide range of programmes and policies to support both rural and community development. I am always open to the possibility of considering additional responsibilities that are consistent with my Department's mission of supporting vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland.
41. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the membership of the implementation group overseeing the delivery of the national social enterprise policy; the number of times the group has met; the terms of reference of the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43827/19]
View answerOn 19 July this year, I published Ireland’s first ever National Social Enterprise Policy which aims to create an enabling environment for social enterprise to grow and contribute to Ireland’s social and economic progress.
The Policy sets out 26 Measures for delivery, including a commitment to establish a National Social Enterprise Policy Implementation Group. The Group will be chaired by my Department, with representation from other relevant Government Departments, public bodies, and social enterprise stakeholders. The Implementation Group will be a key vehicle to oversee the delivery of the Policy.
I am determined to ensure that the voice and experience of social enterprise is strongly represented on the Implementation Group and the composition of the Group reflects a balance of public bodies and social enterprise stakeholders.
Apart from seeking nominations to the Group from specific social enterprise and community representative organisations, two of the seats have been reserved for an open call for expressions of interest from practitioners or persons involved in supporting social enterprise or social entrepreneurship. Expressions of interest have also been sought for a seat reserved for a Higher Education Institution active in the area of social enterprise.
The closing date for expressions of interest is 30 October 2019 and I expect that the Group will hold its first meeting by the middle of November.
The full composition and draft Terms of Reference for the Implementation Group are available at: https://assets.gov.ie/37020/95ef0b636275490288ea1116da61bdd5.pdf.
42. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of discussions he has had with the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment with regard to broadband provision in rural communities, including the role of his Department in the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43658/19]
View answerAs Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development, Natural Resources and Digital Development, I work across both the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.
In my role, I work very closely with the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Richard Bruton T.D., and have regular discussions with him regarding broadband provision in rural areas.
The Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment has overall policy responsibility for the National Broadband Plan. However, the Department of Rural and Community Development works closely with that Department and with Local Authorities to help prepare rural communities for the roll out of high-speed broadband.
The Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce, which I chair and which is co-ordinated by officials of the two Departments, has successfully addressed a number of complex issues over the last three years which will facilitate the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan when the contract for the State Intervention Area is signed. Quarterly Progress Reports on the work of the Taskforce are published on the websites of both Departments, and on the Gov.ie portal.
The Department of Rural and Community Development also supports preparations for the roll out of the National Broadband Plan through the network of Broadband Officers located in each Local Authority. The Broadband Officers are co-funded by the Department and provide a vital point of contact for industry and the public regarding telecoms issues.
The Broadband Officers are also leading on the development of Digital Strategies for each Local Authority. These Digital Strategies will enable communities to make full use of digital technology in their daily lives, and will be particularly beneficial when the Broadband Plan is rolled out.
43. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of jobs created under the Action Plan for Rural Development in north-west County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43817/19]
View answerThe Action Plan for Rural Development was published in January 2017 as a whole-of-Government initiative to support the economic and social progress of rural Ireland. The coordinated approach of the Action Plan is achieving benefits in terms of increased employment in the regions and increased investment in projects and communities across the country.
Specific figures for job creation are not available from at the level requested by the Deputy. However, overall employment in the regions continues to grow, with an increase of over 146,000 people employed outside of Dublin between 2015 and 2018. This surpasses the target in the Action Plan of increasing employment by 135,000 by 2020.
More than 60% of the 18,846 new jobs created by Enterprise Ireland’s client companies in 2018 were outside of the Dublin region, while over 132,000 jobs in IDA client companies are now based outside of Dublin, representing 58% of client companies' employment.
The Regional Enterprise Action Plans, which are overseen by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, play a particularly important role in supporting job creation in the regions. My own Department also contributes directly to job creation in rural areas through programmes such the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme and LEADER.
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, which will provide investment of €1 billion into rural areas over the next ten years, will also make a significant contribution to job opportunities for people who live in rural Ireland. To date, €86 million has been allocated from the Fund to 84 projects which will have a transformational effect on towns, villages and rural areas across Ireland. I announced a further call for proposals last April and applications received by the deadline of 6 August are currently being assessed.
44. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the level of underspend for each rural scheme administered by his Department as of the end of September 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43833/19]
View answerGross expenditure of €291 million has been provided to my Department under the Further Revised Estimates for 2019. €132 million of this is allocated to the rural development programme area, with 93% of this being capital funding. At the end of September, current expenditure within the programme area is broadly on target, and capital expenditure is running slightly ahead of the profile estimated at the start of the year.
By the end of September over €63 million in capital funding has been invested in a range of rural development schemes including LEADER; the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF); Town and Village Renewal; Regional Economic Development; Local Improvement Scheme; and the National Rural Development Schemes (CLÁR and the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS)).
Expenditure on LEADER is running ahead of target as project approval ramp up and claims are made. While expenditure on the RRDF is behind profile, the rate of expenditure will accelerate to year end as approved projects complete the procurement stages into construction, and recoupment is sought by local authorities and other bodies in respect of works undertaken.
I have set out in the following table a breakdown by capital spend by subhead on rural development schemes to the end of September. It details spend to end September, the full year allocation, as well as expenditure against the profile estimated at the start of the year.
|
A - RURAL DEVELOPMENT & REGIONAL AFFAIRS |
Spend - (to end of September) |
Full year allocation |
Profile to end Sept |
% spend to Profile |
|
|
€'000's |
€'000's |
€'000's |
% |
|
A.4 - NATIONAL RURAL DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES |
8,147 |
15,000 |
7,149 |
114% |
|
A.5 - LEADER - RURAL ECONOMY SUB PROGRAMME |
31,600 |
30,000 |
16,440 |
192% |
|
A.7 - TOWN AND VILLAGE REGENERATION |
9,342 |
15,000 |
10,768 |
87% |
|
A.8 - REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
4 |
700 |
450 |
1% |
|
A.9 - LOCAL IMPROVEMENT SCHEME |
4,302 |
10,000 |
4,208 |
102% |
|
A.10 - RURAL REGENERATION & DEVELOPMENT FUND |
9,780 |
52,000 |
20,750 |
47% |
|
Total |
63,175 |
122,700 |
59,873 |
106% |
45. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if additional funds will be provided for the community enhancement programme in 2019 in view of the fact that in 2018 the fund was €13 million and in 2019 it was €4.5 million and in further view of his previous comments that if savings in his Department were identified he would consider additional funding for the fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43801/19]
View answerThe Community Enhancement Programme helps community groups to improve facilities in their area. It supports a range of investment in all areas of communities, such as childcare facilities, playgrounds, recreational facilities, sports grounds, landscaping projects, and supports for the elderly.
In 2018, I launched the programme with initial funding of €4.5m. There was a huge level of interest in the programme so I was delighted to be in a position to allocate additional once-off funding to the programme later in the year and the final amount allocated was €13 million. This included €0.5 million that was ring-fenced for Men's Sheds. Over 3,000 projects across the country were funded, all of them targeted at enhancing facilities in disadvantaged communities.
In 2019, I launched the programme with initial funding of €4.5m. I subsequently allocated an additional €0.5m under the Community Enhancement Programme for a ring-fenced fund for Men's and Women's Sheds. This has brought the total funding this year to €5m.
Expenditure across all of my Department's programmes has been on profile so far in 2019, and this looks set to continue until the end of the year. However, if savings are identified, I will consider allocating additional funding to the Community Enhancement Programme.
46. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of each project allocated funds under the rural regeneration and development fund; if he is satisfied that each financial allocation will be drawn down by year end 2019; if not, the status of the funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43829/19]
View answerThe Rural Regeneration and Development Fund seeks to support ambitious and strategic projects which have the potential to transform rural economies and communities. The Government has committed €1 billion over 10 years to the Fund and €315 million is allocated to the Fund for the period 2019-2022.
Following the conclusion of the first call under the Fund in February 2019, a total of 84 successful projects had been announced, with funding of €86m provided from the Fund to support projects worth a total of €117m.
Following the announcement of the successful projects, my Department engaged with each lead party to complete due diligence requirements. Contractual arrangements were also drawn up with the release of funding based on the achievement of key milestones in the projects.
In this regard, significant progress is already being made on the implementation of successful projects. A number of the projects have already reached their first milestone and had funding released. To date, €16 million has been drawn down from the Fund by 29 separate projects. I expect that payments from the Fund will continue to accelerate over the coming weeks and months as further milestones are achieved across the other projects.
47. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the CLÁR scheme nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43044/19]
View answerCLÁR is a targeted capital investment programme for rural areas which have experienced significant levels of depopulation. The programme was originally launched in October 2001 but was closed for applications in 2010. I re-opened the programme in 2016 and, since then, over 1,400 projects have been approved for CLÁR funding of almost €33 million.
I launched the 2019 CLÁR programme on 28th February last for projects under the following measures:
Measure 1: Support for Schools/Community Safety Measures
Measure 2: Play Areas
Measure 3: Community Wellbeing Support
3a First Response Support
3b Mobility and Cancer Care Transport
3c Sensory Gardens.
The programme was over-subscribed, with almost 500 applications received. Nonetheless, I have announced 179 successful projects across the 3 Measures, to the value of €5.9 million this year.
Details of successful projects under each Measure on a county basis can be found on the Gov.ie website at: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/f9051a-clar-funding-2019/
