Written Answers Nos. 1156-1175
1156. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the assistance that will be provided to small crèche owners to assist with filling out the necessary paperwork to avail of the TWSCS. [6854/20]
View answerThe COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented situation that has required a series of emergency responses from the Government.
I am acutely aware of the particular impact the pandemic and the emergency measures have had on the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) providers. I am also very conscious of the importance of the ELC and SAC sector for children’s positive development and in terms of supporting the economy as we move beyond this crisis.
Recognising this, I launched the Temporary Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme (TWSCS) on 15 April. This scheme is a very significant measure to support the sector. The aim of the TWSCS is threefold:
- to support the sustainability of the ELC and SAC sector so that it is in a position to reopen after COVID-19;
- to provide parents with a reassurance that if their ELC and SAC provider signs up to the scheme, they are not required to pay fees during this COVID-19 crisis, and they will maintain their ELC / SAC place when services resume and
- to give Early Learning and Care practitioners security and to retain these vital Educators in the sector.
A range of supports are available to all participating service providers to assist them with the administrative requirements of the scheme. My Department and Pobal have produced how-to guides on completing the application form and calculating payroll amounts. My Department has also published extensive FAQs which contain details of the TWSCS, including information on the scheme’s practicalities.
Further assistance for participating providers is available from local City/County Childcare Committees and from Pobal’s Early Years Provider Centre. I would urge any service provider who has specific queries or needs assistance with the scheme’s requirements to get in touch with these bodies.
1157. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the assistance that will be provided to small crèches to assist them in reopening safely at the appropriate time. [6855/20]
View answerOn Friday 1 May the Government released its Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, which sets out Ireland's plan for lifting COVID-19 restrictions through five phases. The reopening of Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare (ELC and SAC) services will be guided by this framework and will be underpinned by the Return to Work Safely Protocol, expert advice, available evidence and consultation with ELC and SAC stakeholder representatives and providers themselves.
The future phases of the Roadmap's reopening of ELC/SAC services are stated as follows:
Phase 3 (29 June), opening of crèches, childminders and preschools for children of essential workers in a phased manner with social distancing and other requirements applying.
Phase 4 (20 July), opening of crèches, childminders and preschools for children of all other workers on a gradually increasing phased basis and slowly increasing thereafter.
The sector has many questions regarding how the Roadmap will be implemented to enable services to reopen. While the COVID-19 emergency called for swift action on closures, it is my ambition that the phased reopening will allow for sufficient time and planning to make best use of public funding to support the safe and sustainable reopening of the sector. I would like to reassure providers, practitioners, parents and children that I will be doing my utmost to enable as smooth a transition as possible to the phased and restricted reopening of ELC and SAC services.
My Department is currently developing and costing proposals for reopening in line with the Roadmap. This is complex work and must balance a number of important issues. Informed by NPHET and public health guidance, consideration is being given to a range of these issues, including:
- Minimising the public health risk, especially given the difficulty of maintaining social distancing among young children and those caring for them, and the need for any restrictions to be consistent with young children’s well-being and development needs.
- Providing early learning and childcare for preschool children, meeting parental demand for early learning and childcare as the economy reopens, and meeting the commitment to retain places for families who paid for early learning and childcare before COVID-19, all while restricting capacity and thereby reducing adult-child ratios.
- Ensuring financial sustainability of the sector when capacity restrictions limit income and parents cannot afford to cover any higher costs with higher fees.
- Ensuring a sufficient number of qualified early learning and childcare practitioners, given likelihood of reduced adult-child ratios and existing challenges with recruitment and retention.
I am actively engaging with key stakeholders in the sector to make sure that the work on reopening services is informed by the practical reality across the country. I have established and Chair an Advisory Group that includes membership from across the sector, specifically the Association of Childhood Professionals, Childminding Ireland, Crann, Early Childhood Ireland, National Childhood Network, PLÉ, Pobal, Seas Suas, SIPTU and Tusla. The first meeting of this Advisory Group took place on 13 May with the second meeting on 15 May.
The proposals for reopening which are in development will seek to implement the Public Health Framework effectively and safely across the ELC and SAC sector over the phases of easing of restrictions. I am conscious that the proposed timelines are subject to further NPHET advice, and decisions from Government.
There are a number of key decisions to be made across Government that will impact significantly on the ELC and SAC sector, including the continuation, introduction or cessation of emergency measures such as the Revenue operated Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection operated Pandemic Unemployment Payment, and other business supports. The proposals for reopening ELC and SAC services necessarily interact with these existing schemes and so I will be relying on the continued close working relationships with other Ministers on whole of government plans, which impact the ELC and SAC sector.
It is my fervent hope that every ELC and SAC service around the country is currently considering how it can be part of helping Ireland get back to work, and how it can support children from June 29th in the very difficult circumstances they have experienced in recent months.
I will undertake to update the Deputy as soon as the work on reopening services is at a more advanced stage.
1158. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if calls by adoptees to have an automatic right to access their own information, including their own birth name and automatic access to their own birth certificate will be supported. [6862/20]
View answerOver the term of 32nd Dáil I endeavoured to progress the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill, 2016 which, amongst other provisions, provided for access to birth information for adopted people.
There were provisions in the Bill, often referred to as 'privacy provisions', which provided for balancing the rights of adopted persons to their birth information with the rights of privacy of birth parents. These were based on legal advice that there must be some protection of birth parents' constitutional right to privacy reflected in the legislation. There are two rights at play, the right to identity and the right to privacy, and legislation must seek to harmonise these rights.
It is well known that these privacy provisions were not popular with stakeholder groups who want unrestricted access to identity information and to birth certificates. I held a number of consultations with them and with Members of the Oireachtas seeking to reach a consensus on a mechanism for the release of information which would balance the Constitutional rights of birth parents and adopted people. Work was ongoing on reaching a consensus on this matter on the dissolution of the Dáil.
My own view is steadfast: legislation in this area must be progressed to ensure that adopted people and others can access their birth certificates and know their origins. However, any further decisions on this will fall to my successor, the incoming Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.
1159. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the efforts taken to date to monitor the presence of in-app purchases targeting children using applications on various devices; the measures being taken to address the issue of online safety as a result of increased exposure to screen time under Covid-19 regulations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6951/20]
View answerA range of Government Departments and agencies have a role to play in relation to online safety. In recognition of the whole of government approach required, in July 2018, the Taoiseach launched the Action Plan for Online Safety 2018-19. The Action Plan involves a wide range of actions, across six Government Departments – Communications, Climate Action and Environment; Education and Skills; Justice and Equality; Children and Youth Affairs; Health; and Business Enterprise and Innovation, recognising that online safety is not the responsibility of just one Department and signifying the range and breadth of the issues involved.
Children First operates on the premise that it is the responsibility of everyone in society to keep children and young people safe from harm. This responsibility includes keeping children safe from harm online. As part of the Action Plan for Online Safety, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs committed to amending the Children First Guidance to include a specific reference to the need to consider online safety in the completion of a Child Safeguarding Statement. An addendum to the Guidance, clarifying the need to consider online safety in the preparation of risk assessments and Child Safeguarding Statements, was finalised and published on the Department’s website in January 2019. In addition, Tusla has revised its template for the completion of Child Safeguarding Statements to refer to the need to consider online risks to children if a service provides access to the internet.
As part of the government response to Covid-19, in late April, I as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs launched a range of supports for parents and children to support them during this challenging time. The first initiative is a new online gov.ie resource for parents, entitled ‘Parents Centre’, which brings together high quality information and online resources for parents into one portal. Parents Centre provides links to a wide variety of material including around learning, parenting and supports that are available. It also includes links to Webwise, an initiative of the Department of Education and Skills, which is the key internet safety online access point for parents in Ireland. As a response to Covid-19, the Webwise Parents Hub has recently been updated with online safety advice for parents, including around screen time as well as with the publication of ‘A Parent’s Guide for a Better Internet’, covering topics including managing technology use at home, social networking tips and dealing with cyberbullying.
The second initiative is ‘Let’s Play Ireland’, an online portal on gov.ie, providing access to a range of play resources for children. It is intended that the ideas on the website will encourage parents to support their children to use their imagination including ideas on how to use resources that can be found at home. The portal contains a section on screen time which includes tips for families on how to find a reasonable balance between time spent on screens and time for other types of play and activities, including family time. Additional resources will be continually developed and added to the ‘Let’s Play Ireland’ portal.
Computer apps and games, and in-app purchases on games and apps, are subject to the provisions of general consumer protection legislation which is the responsibility of the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation. I have been informed by her Department that Directive (EU) 2019/770 on contracts for the supply of digital content and digital services (the ‘Digital Content Directive’) introduces new protections for consumers and sets out a range of quality and other requirements with which digital content and digital services must comply along with remedies for consumers where these requirements are not met. The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation will transpose the Directive into Irish law by 1st July 2021 and the legislation will come into force with effect from 1st January 2022.
1160. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the percentage of childcare providers that have signed up for the WSCS to date; the reasons given by childcare providers to her Department for not signing up to the wage subsidy scheme as indicated in correspondence; if there are ongoing consultations with those providers not signed up in an effort to address challenges or barriers to signing up to the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6952/20]
View answerThe COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented situation that has required a series of emergency responses from the Government.
I launched the Temporary Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme (TWSCS) on 15 April. This scheme is a very significant measure to support the sector and reflects the particular impact the pandemic has had on early education and childcare providers.
I can confirm that as of 18 May, 3,815 childcare providers have signed up to participate in the TWSCS – this represents 84% of childcare providers. The TWSCS continues to remain open to providers to continue to sign up to and apply for supports under the TWSCS.
The Department, and Pobal on behalf of the Department, continues to engage with the childcare sector in order to assist and inform providers on the TWSCS. For example, the Department has issued a Frequently Asked Questions document to assist providers in their understanding of the TWSCS and Pobal has issued a number of communications on the Programmes Implementation Platform (PIP) to providers outlining the operation of and application process for the TWSCS.
In addition, Pobal operates an Early Years Provider Centre to respond to any queries that providers may have in relation to the TWSCS. The only substantive feedback received thus far has been with regard to clarification on certain scheme elements, such as interaction with the Revenue Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme. DCYA has worked with partners to address key issues and guidance material has been updated accordingly.
1161. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of childcare providers registered with the new outreach childcare scheme for the children of front-line healthcare workers; the measures taken to address concerns with regard to the stated non-provision of insurance to providers that partake in the scheme; if she has considered registered childminders as part of the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6953/20]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the Temporary Childcare Scheme for Essential Health Workers was cancelled on the 13th May.
My primary focus now, and that of my Department, is to work towards the significant challenges of a phased reopening of early learning and childcare facilities for 29th June, in line with the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business.
I have established an advisory group to support this process and I have chaired two meetings of this group.
My Department will be communicating with the wider childcare sector in the coming weeks as plans advance
Identifying essential workers, as referred to by the Deputy, is part of the wider Government effort to ensure that society and businesses are re-opened in a carefully managed and safe manner.
1162. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the planning taking place to support the reopening of crèches; if crèches will be reopened on a rolling basis; if they will be re-opened in a smaller capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6954/20]
View answerOn Friday 1 May, the Government released its Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, which sets out Ireland's plan for lifting COVID-19 restrictions through five phases. The re-opening of Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare (ELC and SAC) services will be guided by this framework and will be underpinned by the Government's Return to Work Safely Protocol, expert advice, available evidence and consultation with ELC and SAC stakeholder representatives and providers themselves.
The future stages of the Roadmap's re-opening of ELC/SAC services are stated as follows:
Phase 3 (29 June), opening of crèches, childminders and preschools for children of essential workers in a phased manner with social distancing and other requirements applying.
Phase 4 (20 July), opening of crèches, childminders and preschools for children of all other workers on a gradually increasing phased basis and slowly increasing thereafter.
The sector has many questions regarding how the Roadmap will be implemented to enable services to reopen. While the COVID-19 emergency called for overnight action on closures, it is my ambition that the phased reopening will enable sufficient time and planning to reopen in an orderly, safe and sustainable manner. I would like to reassure providers, practitioners, parents and children that I will be doing my utmost to support the sector in offering as smooth a transition as possible to the phased and restricted reopening of ELC and SAC services.
My Department is currently working with the sector to answer the many questions that exist. This is complex work and must balance a number of important issues, including those mentioned by the Deputy around capacity. Informed by NPHET and public health guidance, consideration is being given to a range of these issues, including:
- Minimising the public health risk, especially given the difficulty of maintaining social distancing among young children and those caring for them,
- Ensuring the need for any restrictions to be consistent with young children’s well-being and development needs and for ELC and SAC provision at each phase to be child-centred
- Providing ELC for preschool children, meeting parental demand for ELC and SAC as the economy reopens, and meeting the commitment to retain places for families who paid for ELC and SAC before COVID-19, all while restricting capacity and thereby reducing adult-child ratios.
- Ensuring financial sustainability of the sector when capacity restrictions limit income and parents cannot afford to cover any higher costs with higher fees.
- Ensuring a sufficient number of qualified ELC and SAC practitioners, given likelihood of reduced adult-child ratios and existing challenges with recruitment and retention.
I am actively engaging with key stakeholders in the sector to make sure that the work on reopening services is informed by the practical reality across the country. I have established and Chair an Advisory Group that includes representatives chosen by the sector, specifically the Association of Childhood Professionals, Community Forum, Early Childhood Ireland, National Childhood Network, PLÉ and Seas Suas. The group also includes Tusla, Pobal, SIPTU and Childminding Ireland. The first meeting of this Advisory Group took place on 13 May and I held follow up meetings on 15 and 19 May. A schedule of weekly meetings has also been agreed.
The proposals for reopening which are in development will have due regard to Public Health guidance over the phases of easing of restrictions. I am conscious that the proposed timelines are subject to further NPHET advice, and decisions from Government.
There are a number of key decisions to be made across Government that will impact significantly on the ELC and SAC sector, including the future of emergency measures such as the Revenue operated Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection operated Pandemic Unemployment Payment, and other business supports. The proposals for reopening ELC and SAC services necessarily interact with these schemes and so I will be relying on whole of Government plans, which impact the ELC and SAC sector.
It is my fervent hope that every early education and childcare service around the country is currently considering how it can be part of helping Ireland get back to work, and how it can support children from June 29th in the very difficult circumstances they have experienced in recent months.
I will undertake to update the Deputy as soon as the work on reopening services is at a more advanced stage.
1163. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will be making funding available for July and August 2020 on a once-off basis to the ECCE-only sector and to other sessional and full-day providers in view of the funding challenges they will face at the end of June 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6955/20]
View answerMy Department, in consultation with stakeholder representatives, is currently developing proposals for the ongoing funding of early learning and care services, including the ECCE-only sector and other sessional providers.
I have established and Chair an Advisory Group that includes membership from across the sector, specifically the Association of Childhood Professionals, Childminding Ireland, Community Forum, Early Childhood Ireland, National Childhood Network, PLÉ, Pobal, Seas Suas, Tusla and SIPTU. The first meetings of this Advisory Group took place on 13, 15 and 19 May. A schedule of weekly meetings has been agreed.
There are a number of key decisions to be made across Government that will impact significantly on the ELC and SAC sector, including the continuation, introduction or cessation of emergency measures such as the Revenue operated Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection operated Pandemic Unemployment Payment, and other business supports. The proposals for re-opening ELC and SAC services necessarily interact with these existing schemes and so I will be relying on the continued close working relationships with other Ministers on whole of government plans, which impact the ELC and SAC sector.
1164. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason Tusla does not have a record of the number of child sex abuse cases that were referred to An Garda Síochána for 2016 to 2019; the reason Tusla does not have a record of the outcome of the cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6984/20]
View answerThe Deputy is asking about an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
1165. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount allocated to each local authority under the town and village renewal scheme in 2018 and 2019; the amount paid to each local authority to date based on latest information for each allocation in tabular form; the percentage of the total amount paid out to date out of the amount allocated to each local authority in each such year based on latest data; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6256/20]
View answerThe Town and Village Renewal Scheme is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland under my Department's Rural Development Investment Programme. The Scheme is administered by the Local Authorities on behalf of my Department.
224 projects which were approved for funding of €21.3 million under the 2018 Town and Village Renewal Scheme; 156 projects were approved for funding of almost €15 million in October 2019 under the 2019 Scheme.
Tables 1 and 2 outline the funding that was approved for each Local Authority in 2018 and 2019 respectively under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the amount that has been paid out to date, and the amount paid expressed as a percentage of the amount allocated. It should be noted that payments are made when projects meet agreed milestones.
Given the nature of the projects delivered under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, it is expected that the projects approved in 2019 will not be completed, in the main, until 2021. The remaining projects approved under the 2018 scheme are expected to be finalised during 2020. However, the completion of some projects may also be delayed as a result of the COVID-19 restrictions.
Table 1: Details of 2018 T&V funding approved and paid by Local Authority up to 11 May 2020.
|
Local Authority area |
Grant amount approved |
Funding paid to 11 May 2020 |
% paid to 11 May 2020 |
|
Carlow |
€786,118 |
€343,059 |
44% |
|
Cavan |
€530,000 |
€381,802 |
72% |
|
Clare |
€581,000 |
€478,340 |
82% |
|
Cork |
€1,001,800 |
€249,623 |
25% |
|
Donegal |
€1,100,000 |
€150,000 |
14% |
|
Dublin |
€697,960 |
€100,000 |
14% |
|
Galway |
€900,000 |
€698,783 |
78% |
|
Kerry |
€476,000 |
€115,893 |
24% |
|
Kildare |
€520,000 |
€260,000 |
50% |
|
Kilkenny |
€652,280 |
€0 |
0% |
|
Laois |
€872,094 |
€537,098 |
62% |
|
Leitrim |
€737,520 |
€523,820 |
71% |
|
Limerick |
€963,918 |
€342,666 |
36% |
|
Longford |
€593,856 |
€356,256 |
60% |
|
Louth |
€892,157 |
€390,690 |
44% |
|
Mayo |
€1,183,615 |
€395,615 |
33% |
|
Meath |
€670,834 |
€190,655 |
28% |
|
Monaghan |
€868,500 |
€310,935 |
36% |
|
Offaly |
€1,300,000 |
€911,087 |
70% |
|
Roscommon |
€880,000 |
€291,184 |
33% |
|
Sligo |
€1,138,400 |
€674,800 |
59% |
|
Tipperary |
€913,266 |
€376,033 |
41% |
|
Waterford |
€756,000 |
€349,069 |
46% |
|
Westmeath |
€452,000 |
€50,000 |
11% |
|
Wexford |
€1,334,798 |
€421,076 |
32% |
|
Wicklow |
€518,005 |
€278,124 |
54% |
|
Total |
€21,320,121 |
€9,176,607 |
43% |
Table 2: Details of 2019 T&V funding approved and paid by Local Authority up to 11 May 2020.
|
T&V 2019 |
Grant Amount Approved |
Funding paid to 11 May 2020 |
% funding paid to 11 May 2020 |
|
Carlow |
€399,691 |
€0 |
0% |
|
Cavan |
€604,914 |
€0 |
0% |
|
Clare |
€721,109 |
€6,960 |
1% |
|
Cork |
€1,002,300 |
€0 |
0% |
|
Donegal |
€764,400 |
€0 |
0% |
|
Dublin |
€320,000 |
€0 |
0% |
|
Galway |
€752,000 |
€0 |
0% |
|
Kerry |
€810,486 |
€0 |
0% |
|
Kildare |
€312,164 |
€0 |
0% |
|
Kilkenny |
€391,600 |
€0 |
0% |
|
Laois |
€437,761 |
€0 |
0% |
|
Leitrim |
€324,511 |
€0 |
0% |
|
Limerick |
€585,101 |
€0 |
0% |
|
Longford |
€454,104 |
€0 |
0% |
|
Louth |
€338,000 |
€0 |
0% |
|
Mayo |
€838,533 |
€0 |
0% |
|
Meath |
€585,792 |
€0 |
0% |
|
Monaghan |
€569,537 |
€0 |
0% |
|
Offaly |
€700,000 |
€0 |
0% |
|
Roscommon |
€688,000 |
€0 |
0% |
|
Sligo |
€564,000 |
€0 |
0% |
|
Tipperary |
€684,615 |
€0 |
0% |
|
Waterford |
€500,000 |
€0 |
0% |
|
Westmeath |
€700,000 |
€0 |
0% |
|
Wexford |
€691,206 |
€100,000 |
14% |
|
Wicklow |
€250,173 |
€0 |
0% |
|
Total |
€14,989,997 |
€106,960 |
1% |
1166. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount allocated to each LAG under the 2014-2020 LEADER programme; the amount expended annually under the 2014-2020 LEADER programme in each LAG; the percentage of the total spend to date out of the amount allocated to each LAG for the programme period; the amount expended to date in each LAG on project costs, administrative costs and other costs, by each LAG in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6257/20]
View answerLEADER is a multi-annual programme with a total budget of €250 million over the period 2014-2020. €225 million of this funding has been allocated as core funding to the Local Action Groups (LAGs) throughout the country who deliver the LEADER programme. This funding is allocated to the LAGs for the full period of the programme.
The remaining €25 million is available for thematic schemes to be delivered at a national level and is allocated as projects are approved.
Table 1 provides details of all payments made to the LAGs on an annual basis.
Table 2 provides details of:
- The budget allocations to the LAGs under the LEADER 2014-2020 programme, and
- The total spend by the LAGs broken down by:
- the cost of developing their Local Development Strategies at the outset of the programme (preparatory support);
- expenditure incurred on administration and on supporting the development of LEADER projects (administration & animation);
- funding provided to LEADER projects; and
- total spend expressed as a percentage of each LAG's budget allocation.
While the overall spend to date is 43% of the total allocation available to the LAGs, there continues to be a consistent increase in project payments over previous years. Over 1,400 project promoters, or 50%, have now received a Final Payment in respect of their project.
Project approvals have also steadily increased, with 2,911 projects approved to date to a value of over €112 million. A further 401 projects, requesting funding of almost €28 million, are at earlier stages in the approvals process. Project payments under the programme will continue to increase as approved works are completed and claims for payment submitted. Payments can continue to be made beyond the 2014-2020 LEADER programming period in respect of projects approved before the end of 2020.
The figures provided do not include payments made under thematic schemes which are funded outside of the core budget allocated to each LAG.
Table 1: LEADER payments to LAGs for the period 2015-2020
|
Local Action Group |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
Carlow |
€20,000 |
€0 |
€256,148 |
€955,702 |
€1,325,592 |
€327,384 |
|
Cavan |
€50,000 |
€62,741 |
€264,138 |
€676,779 |
€2,100,254 |
€684,729 |
|
Clare |
€71,000 |
€202,336 |
€525,000 |
€937,913 |
€1,613,675 |
€811,449 |
|
Cork North |
€15,000 |
€19,456 |
€422,197 |
€836,795 |
€985,750 |
€533,275 |
|
Cork South |
€65,000 |
€0 |
€261,234 |
€465,774 |
€500,358 |
€236,619 |
|
Cork West |
€135,240 |
€0 |
€362,953 |
€485,804 |
€726,069 |
€510,944 |
|
Donegal |
€57,594 |
€35,362 |
€778,328 |
€2,353,037 |
€2,492,873 |
€895,847 |
|
Dublin Rural |
€55,000 |
€0 |
€290,992 |
€714,709 |
€794,581 |
€428,993 |
|
Galway East |
€0 |
€58,214 |
€427,142 |
€426,367 |
€1,332,857 |
€821,276 |
|
Galway West |
€75,000 |
€60,000 |
€180,000 |
€292,284 |
€586,906 |
€331,078 |
|
Kerry |
€15,000 |
€1,344 |
€811,249 |
€1,299,208 |
€2,867,905 |
€1,108,849 |
|
Kildare |
€50,000 |
€0 |
€163,910 |
€314,922 |
€770,304 |
€468,976 |
|
Kilkenny |
€54,725 |
€182,570 |
€600,559 |
€922,011 |
€929,727 |
€249,942 |
|
Laois |
€25,000 |
€35,242 |
€282,636 |
€674,237 |
€994,508 |
€188,780 |
|
Leitrim |
€25,000 |
€32,134 |
€298,277 |
€551,744 |
€1,155,333 |
€912,812 |
|
Limerick |
€22,187 |
€26,267 |
€670,442 |
€1,245,753 |
€2,144,543 |
€1,006,048 |
|
Longford |
€30,000 |
€0 |
€266,711 |
€394,024 |
€1,183,596 |
€523,367 |
|
Louth |
€28,000 |
€21,913 |
€340,184 |
€455,037 |
€1,271,500 |
€618,584 |
|
Mayo |
€107,000 |
€43,722 |
€896,552 |
€870,727 |
€3,035,308 |
€847,367 |
|
Meath |
€40,000 |
€99,961 |
€317,904 |
€376,275 |
€916,318 |
€418,606 |
|
Monaghan |
€58,296 |
€45,042 |
€260,822 |
€592,452 |
€1,378,475 |
€835,530 |
|
Offaly |
€30,000 |
€43,481 |
€478,068 |
€1,288,187 |
€1,845,216 |
€946,145 |
|
Roscommon |
€58,213 |
€70,559 |
€325,968 |
€588,565 |
€1,632,704 |
€437,311 |
|
Sligo |
€15,000 |
€57,268 |
€502,405 |
€686,025 |
€1,222,544 |
€904,955 |
|
Tipperary |
€20,000 |
€16,443 |
€525,103 |
€901,658 |
€2,627,304 |
€951,101 |
|
Waterford |
€63,430 |
€55,779 |
€496,858 |
€1,824,877 |
€1,456,234 |
€411,846 |
|
Westmeath |
€25,500 |
€26,872 |
€345,928 |
€611,855 |
€867,346 |
€993,109 |
|
Wexford |
€15,000 |
€21,129 |
€443,303 |
€820,151 |
€2,034,838 |
€612,738 |
|
Wicklow |
€25,000 |
€43,088 |
€328,839 |
€417,879 |
€913,483 |
€398,193 |
|
Total |
€1,251,185 |
€1,260,921 |
€12,123,851 |
€22,980,756 |
€41,706,099 |
€18,415,854 |
Table 2: LEADER expenditure data as of 18 May 2020
|
Local Action Group |
Total Allocation |
Prep Support spend |
Admin & Animation spend |
Project spend |
Total Spend |
% spend |
|
Carlow |
€6,416,803 |
€20,000 |
€937,860 |
€1,926,967 |
€2,884,826 |
45% |
|
Cavan |
€9,022,286 |
€50,000 |
€1,089,558 |
€2,699,084 |
€3,838,642 |
43% |
|
Clare |
€8,920,225 |
€83,336 |
€1,876,000 |
€2,202,037 |
€4,161,372 |
47% |
|
Cork North |
€5,591,846 |
€15,000 |
€1,198,386 |
€1,599,087 |
€2,812,473 |
50% |
|
Cork South |
€3,831,303 |
€65,000 |
€832,613 |
€631,372 |
€1,528,985 |
40% |
|
Cork West |
€5,015,674 |
€135,240 |
€1,109,603 |
€976,166 |
€2,221,010 |
44% |
|
Donegal |
€13,413,878 |
€57,594 |
€2,363,279 |
€4,192,168 |
€6,613,041 |
49% |
|
Dublin Rural |
€6,370,438 |
€55,000 |
€1,127,593 |
€1,101,683 |
€2,284,276 |
36% |
|
Galway East |
€7,655,851 |
€159,488 |
€1,256,700 |
€1,649,668 |
€3,065,856 |
40% |
|
Galway West |
€4,540,033 |
€75,000 |
€715,000 |
€735,267 |
€1,525,267 |
34% |
|
Kerry |
€10,719,868 |
€16,344 |
€2,216,761 |
€3,870,450 |
€6,103,555 |
57% |
|
Kildare |
€5,261,600 |
€50,000 |
€783,601 |
€934,512 |
€1,768,112 |
34% |
|
Kilkenny |
€7,791,573 |
€57,295 |
€1,707,750 |
€1,174,489 |
€2,939,534 |
38% |
|
Laois |
€7,124,587 |
€35,191 |
€1,020,019 |
€1,145,192 |
€2,200,402 |
31% |
|
Leitrim |
€6,498,475 |
€25,000 |
€1,080,464 |
€1,869,835 |
€2,975,299 |
46% |
|
Limerick |
€9,776,594 |
€22,187 |
€2,082,053 |
€3,011,002 |
€5,115,241 |
52% |
|
Longford |
€7,597,623 |
€30,000 |
€1,097,945 |
€1,269,753 |
€2,397,698 |
32% |
|
Louth |
€6,101,862 |
€28,000 |
€1,088,853 |
€1,618,365 |
€2,735,219 |
45% |
|
Mayo |
€11,621,432 |
€119,238 |
€2,252,248 |
€3,429,191 |
€5,800,677 |
50% |
|
Meath |
€6,903,124 |
€40,000 |
€1,318,486 |
€810,578 |
€2,169,064 |
31% |
|
Monaghan |
€7,592,720 |
€58,296 |
€1,083,341 |
€2,028,981 |
€3,170,618 |
42% |
|
Offaly |
€8,536,764 |
€30,000 |
€1,429,601 |
€3,171,497 |
€4,631,098 |
54% |
|
Roscommon |
€8,852,659 |
€58,213 |
€1,335,646 |
€1,719,461 |
€3,113,320 |
35% |
|
Sligo |
€7,655,648 |
€15,000 |
€966,946 |
€2,406,250 |
€3,388,196 |
44% |
|
Tipperary |
€10,603,443 |
€20,000 |
€1,733,129 |
€3,288,479 |
€5,041,608 |
48% |
|
Waterford |
€8,022,796 |
€75,427 |
€1,222,992 |
€3,010,605 |
€4,309,024 |
54% |
|
Westmeath |
€7,384,206 |
€25,602 |
€1,203,805 |
€1,641,202 |
€2,870,610 |
39% |
|
Wexford |
€9,840,141 |
€15,000 |
€1,363,615 |
€2,568,545 |
€3,947,160 |
40% |
|
Wicklow |
€6,336,549 |
€35,794 |
€1,039,187 |
€1,051,503 |
€2,126,483 |
34% |
|
Total |
€225,000,000 |
€1,472,244 |
€38,533,035 |
€57,733,387 |
€97,738,666 |
43% |
1167. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of projects approved to date by each LAG under the 2014-2020 LEADER programme; and the number of approved projects that have received and not received project funding, respectively in tabular form. [6258/20]
View answerLEADER is a multi-annual programme which has a total budget of €250 million over the period to the end of 2020. €225 million of this funding has been allocated as core funding to each of the individual Local Action Groups (LAGs) who deliver LEADER. The remaining €25 million is available for schemes to be delivered at a national level and is allocated as projects are approved.
Table 1 below provides a breakdown of the number of core projects approved by each Local Action Group to date, as well as the number of approved projects which have received at least one payment, and the number of projects where no payment has yet issued.
Funding is drawn down as the projects start to incur expenditure and the project promoter submits claims for payment to the LAGs. The approved works, or phases of works, must be completed by the project promoter prior to any final or phased payments being made. A project promoter can opt to receive payment in one full final payment or up to five phased payments. It should also be noted that payments can continue to be drawn down after the end of the 2014-2020 LEADER programming period by projects which have been approved before the end of 2020.
Over 1,400, or 50%, of project promoters have now received a Final Payment in respect of their project.
The level of project activity under the LEADER programme continues to increase and, to date, 2,911 core projects have been approved for funding of over €112 million. A further 401 project applications, with a value of almost €29 million, are at various stages in the approval process.
In addition to the figures provided on the table below, over 150 LEADER Food Initiative and Co-operation projects have been approved at national level under the thematic schemes referred to above.
Table 1: LEADER core project approvals and payments issued as of 18 May, 2020, by LAG
|
Local Action Group |
No. of Projects Approved |
No. of Projects Funded |
No. of Projects where no payment has issued |
|
Carlow |
45 |
34 |
11 |
|
Cavan |
81 |
54 |
27 |
|
Clare |
170 |
108 |
62 |
|
Cork North |
75 |
48 |
27 |
|
Cork South |
33 |
16 |
17 |
|
Cork West |
34 |
24 |
10 |
|
Donegal |
161 |
115 |
46 |
|
Dublin Rural |
63 |
43 |
20 |
|
Galway East |
96 |
45 |
51 |
|
Galway West |
59 |
38 |
21 |
|
Kerry |
320 |
187 |
133 |
|
Kildare |
37 |
22 |
15 |
|
Kilkenny |
96 |
58 |
38 |
|
Laois |
85 |
53 |
32 |
|
Leitrim |
102 |
66 |
36 |
|
Limerick |
98 |
68 |
30 |
|
Longford |
88 |
52 |
36 |
|
Louth |
103 |
74 |
29 |
|
Mayo |
155 |
108 |
47 |
|
Meath |
86 |
37 |
49 |
|
Monaghan |
58 |
39 |
19 |
|
Offaly |
157 |
116 |
41 |
|
Roscommon |
72 |
37 |
35 |
|
Sligo |
128 |
80 |
48 |
|
Tipperary |
162 |
105 |
57 |
|
Waterford |
71 |
49 |
22 |
|
Westmeath |
88 |
53 |
35 |
|
Wexford |
122 |
82 |
40 |
|
Wicklow |
66 |
35 |
31 |
|
Grand Total |
2,911 |
1,846 |
1,065 |
1168. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the estimated amount of funding to be allocated to the rural regeneration and development fund over the lifetime of National Development Plan 2018-2027; the amount allocated in each year over the 2018-2020 period to the fund; the amount of funding allocated for each approved project in 2018 and 2019; and the amount issued in payments to date. [6259/20]
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 and the various allocations over that period will be confirmed as part of the annual budgetary process. €52 million was allocated to the Fund for 2019 and €53 million is allocated for 2020.
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. Under the second call concluded in November 2019, another 26 projects were allocated funding of €62 million from the Fund. These 26 projects will deliver total investment of €97 million. Table 1 sets out the list of projects and the amount of funding which were approved under both calls.
Progress continues to be made on the implementation of the successful projects. To date, €31.8 million has been drawn down from the Fund by 66 separate projects. Now that's the Government's Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business and Return to Work Safely Protocol are in place, I look forward to further progress in the implementation of projects over the coming weeks and months.
The second call for Category 2 projects relating to project development and enabling initiatives closed on the 28th February 2020. My Department is currently engaged in 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.
Table 1. List of projects which were approved for RRDF Funding under the first and second calls.
|
Project Title |
Category |
Location |
County |
Lead Applicant |
RRDF Funding |
|
Great Southern Greenway Limerick |
1 |
Abbeyfeale, Newcastlewest, Rathkeale, Ardagh |
Limerick |
Limerick City and County Council |
€2,724,657.00 |
|
gteic Hub An Spidéal |
1 |
An Spidéal |
Galway |
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
€548,887.00 |
|
Ardee Castle |
1 |
Ardee Castle |
Louth |
Louth County Council |
€2,147,000.00 |
|
Athenry / Bia Innovator |
1 |
Athenry |
Galway |
Galway County Council |
€3,554,000.00 |
|
An Bealach Project |
1 |
Ballaghdarreen |
Roscommon |
Roscommon Integrated Development Company Ltd |
€1,656,750.00 |
|
Ballinrobe Regeneration |
1 |
Ballinrobe |
Mayo |
Mayo County Council |
€825,000.00 |
|
International Mountain Biking Project |
1 |
Ballyhoura, Coolaney, Ticknock, Ballinastoe, Slieve Blooms |
Limerick, Cork, Sligo, Dublin, Wicklow, Offaly, Laois |
Coillte |
€10,262,900.00 |
|
Banteer Amenity Project |
1 |
Banteer |
Cork |
IRD Duhallow CLG |
€1,128,000.00 |
|
gteic Hubs |
1 |
Béal a' Mhuirthead |
Mayo |
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
€795,062.00 |
|
Borris Railway Viaduct |
1 |
Borris |
Carlow |
Carlow County Council |
€654,820.00 |
|
Boyle Regeneration |
1 |
Boyle Town |
Roscommon |
Roscommon County Council |
€1,705,705.00 |
|
Callan Town Regeneration |
1 |
Callan Town |
Kilkenny |
Kilkenny County Council |
€561,750.00 |
|
Castlebayney Enterprise Centre |
1 |
Castleblayney |
Monaghan |
Monaghan County Council |
€2,138,560.00 |
|
An Chistin Project |
1 |
Castlerea |
Roscommon |
Roscommon County Council |
€1,545,000.00 |
|
Claremorris Indoor Sports Facility |
1 |
Claremorris |
Mayo |
Sligo LEADER Partnership CLG |
€2,100,000.00 |
|
Cootehill Industrial Estate |
1 |
Cootehill |
Cavan |
Cavan County Council |
€867,174.00 |
|
Edgeworthstown Regeneration |
1 |
Edgeworthstown |
Longford |
Longford County Council |
€1,269,019.00 |
|
Athy / Ernest Shackleton Project |
1 |
Emily Square, Athy |
Kildare |
Kildare County Council |
€2,707,500.00 |
|
Emo Court |
1 |
Emo, Emo Court |
Laois |
Office of Public Works |
€1,200,000.00 |
|
Ennistymon Innovation Centre |
1 |
Ennistymon |
Clare |
Clare County Council |
€1,023,300.00 |
|
gteic Gaoth Dobhair |
1 |
Gaoth Dobhair |
Donegal |
Udaras na Gaeltachta |
€1,500,000.00 |
|
Glenbrohane Local Hub |
1 |
Glenbrohane |
Limerick |
Ballyhoura Development CLG |
€626,369.00 |
|
Historic Granard Motte Project |
1 |
Granard |
Longford |
Longford County Council |
€2,872,434.00 |
|
Johnstown Castle & Gardens |
1 |
Johnstown Castle |
Wexford |
TEAGASC |
€658,696.00 |
|
Vandeleur Estate |
1 |
Kilrush |
Clare |
Clare County Council |
€1,720,000.00 |
|
Kinsale Library Project |
1 |
Kinsale |
Cork |
Cork County Council |
€2,157,375.00 |
|
The Seaworld Project |
1 |
Lahinch |
Clare |
Clare County Council |
€2,860,000.00 |
|
Loophead Visitor Attraction |
1 |
Loophead |
Clare |
Clare County Council |
€868,500.00 |
|
Murroe Community Hub |
1 |
Murroe |
Limerick |
Ballyhoura Development CLG |
€3,816,451.00 |
|
National Parks |
1 |
National Parks (multiple) |
(6) Clare; Donegal; Galway; Kerry; Mayo; Wicklow |
Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht |
€3,915,000.00 |
|
National Centre of Excellent for Surfing |
1 |
Strandhill |
Sligo |
Sligo County Council |
€615,752.00 |
|
Swan Park |
1 |
Swan Park, Buncrana |
Donegal |
Donegal County Council |
€1,728,042.00 |
|
Thomastown Regeneration |
1 |
Thomastown |
Kilkenny |
Kilkenny County Council |
€2,080,486.00 |
|
Tipperary Town Regeneration |
1 |
Tipperary Town |
Tipperary |
Tipperary County Council |
€600,000.00 |
|
Tullycross Residential Education Centre |
1 |
Tullycross, Renvyle |
Galway |
Western Development Commission |
€1,728,000.00 |
|
Valentia Trans-Atlantic Cable Station |
1 |
Valentia Island |
Kerry |
Kerry County Council |
€1,270,000.00 |
|
DigiWest |
1 |
Various |
Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, Roscommon |
Western Development Commission |
€644,734.00 |
|
The Yeats Trail |
1 |
Yeats Trail |
Sligo |
Sligo County Council |
€500,000.00 |
|
Virginia Civic Centre |
1 |
Virginia |
Cavan |
Cavan County Council |
€3,963,525.00 |
|
Multifunctional Performance Auditorium at Cnoc na Gaoithe Cultural Centre, Tulla |
1 |
Tulla |
Clare |
Clare County Council |
€900,000.00 |
|
Briery Gap Theatre and Library |
1 |
Macroom |
Cork |
Cork County Council |
€2,000,000.00 |
|
Kanturk Regeneration - Phase 1 |
1 |
Kanturk |
Cork |
Cork County Council |
€619,500.00 |
|
Killybegs 2040 - Town Centre Regeneration Project |
1 |
Killybegs |
Donegal |
Donegal County Council |
€3,631,758.00 |
|
Ailt an Chorráin (Burtonport)/ Oilean Árainn Mhór (Arranmore Island) - Harbour to Island Regeneration |
1 |
Burtonport/Arranmore Island |
Donegal |
Donegal County Council |
€3,089,199.00 |
|
Regeneration Loughrea, Breaking through |
1 |
Loughrea |
Galway |
Galway County Council |
€1,628,879.00 |
|
Listowel Food Hub |
1 |
Listowel |
Kerry |
North East West Kerry Development NEWKD |
€1,365,226.00 |
|
Barrow Blueway, 46km |
1 |
Barrow Blueway |
Kildare, Laois |
Kildare County Council |
€5,067,941.00 |
|
The Junction, Ballinamore - Regeneration of Ballinamore |
1 |
Ballinamore |
Leitrim |
Leitrim County Council |
€1,728,075.00 |
|
Manorhamilton Public Realm improvement works including re-imagining employment and Enterprise Lands |
1 |
Manorhamilton |
Leitrim |
Leitrim County Council |
€1,613,250.00 |
|
The Yard, Abbeyshrule - Community and Economic Hub |
1 |
Abbeyshrule |
Longford |
Longford County Council |
€522,265.71 |
|
Áras Scéalta an Atlantaigh - Visitor Centre and Tourism Hub |
1 |
Aghleam |
Mayo |
Udaras na Gaeltachta |
€1,879,350.00 |
|
Ballintubber Abbey Culture and Heritage Visitor Centre |
1 |
Claremorris |
Mayo |
Mayo County Council |
€2,677,352.00 |
|
Clew Bay Greenway Project |
1 |
|
Mayo |
Mayo County Council |
€1,924,800.00 |
|
Trim Library and Cultural Centre |
1 |
Trim |
Meath |
Meath County Council |
€3,718,670.00 |
|
Kells Creative Placemaking (Phase 1) - Kells Courthouse Cultural Hub and Kells Printworks and Topgraphy Centre |
1 |
Kells |
Meath |
Meath County Council |
€992,834.00 |
|
Castleblayney Market Square Regeneration |
1 |
Castleblaney |
Monaghan |
Monaghan County Council |
€2,611,150.00 |
|
Edenderry Regeneration - Phase 1 |
1 |
Edenderry |
Offaly |
Offaly County Council |
€522,207.00 |
|
Life Sciences Innovation Hub and Soft Landing Space |
1 |
Athlone |
Roscommon |
Roscommon County Council |
€2,751,544.16 |
|
Roscrea Enterprise, Digital and Social Impact Hub |
1 |
Roscrea |
Tipperary |
North Tipperary Development Company |
€1,925,546.00 |
|
Fetherd Town Park |
1 |
Fethard |
Tipperary |
Tipperary County Council |
€2,600,000.00 |
|
Templemore Town Hall: Enterprise and Cultutal Centre, with associated Civic Plaza |
1 |
Templemore |
Tipperary |
Tipperary County Council |
€2,107,500.00 |
|
Ireland's Global Garden - Mount Congreve Estate |
1 |
Kilmeaden |
Waterford |
Waterford City and County Council |
€3,726,000.00 |
|
Wexfordia - the New Ross Tourism Transformation |
1 |
New Ross |
Wexford |
Wexford County Council |
€5,560,000.00 |
|
Making Baltinglass the Hub for South West Wicklow |
1 |
Baltinglass |
Wicklow |
Wicklow County Council |
€2,675,226.00 |
|
Anne’s Grove |
2 |
Anne’s Grove |
Cork |
OPW |
€375,000.00 |
|
Ardee Regeneration |
2 |
Ardee |
Louth |
Louth County Council |
€526,743.75 |
|
Kildare Town Centre Regeneration |
2 |
Athy |
Kildare |
Kildare County Council |
€80,000.00 |
|
Coláiste Íosagáin Campus |
2 |
Baile Bhuirne/Coláiste Íosagáin |
Cork |
Udaras na Gaeltachta |
€180,000.00 |
|
Baile na Fheirtéaraigh Development |
2 |
Baile na Fheirtéaraigh |
Kerry |
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
€292,500.00 |
|
Creative Studios Ballaghdarreen |
2 |
Ballaghdarreen |
Roscommon |
Roscommon Integrated Development Company Ltd |
€20,250.00 |
|
Altmont House and Gardens |
2 |
Ballon |
Carlow |
OPW |
€450,000.00 |
|
Ballybay Regeneration |
2 |
Ballybay |
Monaghan |
Monaghan County Council |
€410,400.00 |
|
Kenmare |
2 |
Kenmare |
Kerry |
Kerry County Council |
€275,000*
* Project cancelled |
|
Ballydesmond |
2 |
Ballydesmond |
Cork |
Cork County Council |
€56,250.00 |
|
Ballyjamesduff Regeneration Strategy |
2 |
Ballyjamesduff |
Cavan |
Cavan County Council |
€90,000.00 |
|
Blackwater River Valley |
2 |
Blackwater Valley |
Waterford |
Waterford Leader Partnership |
€128,842.00 |
|
Boyne Navigation and Greenway |
2 |
Boyne Navigation and Greenway |
Meath |
Meath County Council |
€845,250.00 |
|
Carrickmacross Town Centre Renewal |
2 |
Carrickmacross |
Monaghan |
Monaghan County Council |
€632,000.00 |
|
The Clones Terminus |
2 |
Cavan to Monaghan |
Cavan to Monaghan |
Waterways Ireland |
€325,000.00 |
|
Clones Regeneration |
2 |
Clones |
Monaghan |
Monaghan County Council |
€377,250.00 |
|
Cootehill Technology Park |
2 |
Cootehill |
Cavan |
Cavan County Council |
€56,000.00 |
|
Digital Innovation Hub Strategy |
2 |
Cork County |
Cork |
Cork County Council |
€206,168.00 |
|
Dingle Workhouse Masterplan |
2 |
Dingle Workhouse |
Kerry |
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
€415,000.00 |
|
Ireland’s National Parks |
2 |
Donegal, Mayo, Galway, Clare, Kerry, Wicklow |
Donegal, Mayo, Galway, Clare, Kerry, Wicklow |
Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht - NPWS |
€1,466,250.00 |
|
Doolin Pier |
2 |
Doolin |
Clare |
Clare County Council |
€465,571.00 |
|
Dunmore Regeneration |
2 |
Dunmore |
Galway |
Galway County Council |
€960,909.00 |
|
Edenderry Masterplan |
2 |
Edenderry |
Offaly |
Offaly County Council |
€75,000.00 |
|
Community Facilities Enfield |
2 |
Enfield |
Meath |
Meath County Council |
€726,000.00 |
|
The Cliff Bath House |
2 |
Enniscrone |
Sligo |
Sligo County Council |
€131,250.00 |
|
Esmonde Street Gorey |
2 |
Ferrycarraig and the Hook Peninsuala |
Wexford |
Wexford County Council |
€1,087,340.00 |
|
Úibh Ráthach Action Plan |
2 |
Gaeltacht Uíbh Ráthach/Iveragh Taskforce |
Kerry |
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
€174,351.00 |
|
Market House Gorey |
2 |
Gorey |
Wexford |
Wexford County Council |
€429,145.37 |
|
Ferrycarraig and the Hook Peninsuala |
2 |
Gorey |
Wexford |
Wexford County Council |
€95,224.00 |
|
Inis Cealtra Island |
2 |
Inis Cealtra |
Clare |
Clare County Council |
€920,500.00 |
|
Kell’s Heritage Development |
2 |
Kells |
Meath |
Meath County Council |
€210,000.00 |
|
Community Shops Kilkenny |
2 |
Kilkenny |
Kilkenny |
Kilkenny LEADER Partnership |
€60,000.00 |
|
Ocean Innovation Centre Ireland |
2 |
Killybegs |
Donegal |
Letterkenny Institute of Technology |
€293,436.00 |
|
Kinnegad Regeneration |
2 |
Kinnegad |
Westmeath |
Westmeath County Council |
€600,000.00 |
|
Kinvara Boardwalk and Walkway |
2 |
Kinvara |
Galway |
Galway County Council |
€124,781.25 |
|
Smart Green Mohill |
2 |
Mohill |
Leitrim |
Leitrim County Council |
€37,500.00 |
|
Monasterevin Town Centre Regeneration |
2 |
Monasterevin |
Kildare |
Kildare County Council |
€78,000.00 |
|
Geopark Development |
2 |
Multi Location |
Mayo, Galway |
Geological Survey Ireland |
€969,387.00 |
|
Cycle Network |
2 |
Multi Location |
Mayo |
Mayo County Council |
€75,000.00 |
|
Wild Atlantic Way |
2 |
Multiple |
Clare / Kerry |
Fáilte Ireland |
€666,300.00 |
|
Enterprise Hub New Ross |
2 |
New Ross |
Wexford |
Wexford County Council |
€328,407.00 |
|
West Limerick Tourism Gateway |
2 |
Newcastle West |
Limerick |
Limerick City and County Council |
€330,000.00 |
|
Rathcormac Strategy for Development |
2 |
Rathormac |
Cork |
Avondhu Blackwater partnership CLG |
€122,025.00 |
|
Trim Castle |
2 |
Trim |
Meath |
OPW |
€262,500.00 |
|
Tuam Regeneration Strategy |
2 |
Tuam |
Galway |
Galway County Council |
€175,000.00 |
|
Tourism Experiences |
2 |
Westport and Cong |
Mayo |
Mayo County Council |
€56,000.00 |
1169. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if his Department has engaged the use of external consultants from 1 January 2020 to date; the details and costs of such engagements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5536/20]
View answerThe following table provides the information requested by the Deputy.
|
Name of Consultant |
Costs of such engagements |
Purpose of Consultancy |
Term: Date external consultant was engaged 1 Jan 2020 to date. |
|
National University of Ireland, Maynooth |
€16,463.50 excluding VAT |
CLÁR Programme Review |
17 April 2020 |
|
INDECON International Economic Consultants |
€78,450 excluding VAT |
Provision of Market Research for the Development of a Philanthropy Policy |
15 April 2020 to 31 December 2020 |
1170. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he is considering ways to fund many rural and community organisations whose programmes and funding have been cut due to the cancellation of programmes through Covid-19 such as an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6065/20]
View answerMy Department continues to provide funding through its schemes and programmes to Local Development Companies, such as the organisation referenced by the Deputy.
The LEADER 2014-2020 programme remains operational through the COVID-19 crisis and payments continue to be made to the Local Action Groups, their Implementing Partners and to project promoters. Local Development Companies such as the one mentioned by the Deputy continue to receive ongoing financial support, for their operating and personnel costs, to enable them continue to deliver the LEADER programme in their area through the COVID-19 crisis.
Through the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), the Department provides funding to Local Development Companies, such as the organisation referenced by the Deputy. This allows Local Development Companies to carry out work to tackle poverty and social exclusion, both through one-to-one interventions and other initiatives. SICAP is co-funded from the European Social Fund (ESF) as part of the ESF Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning 2014-2020. The organisation referenced by the Deputy delivers SICAP in County Westmeath. The 2020 budget allocation for Westmeath is €804,985 and this is being paid out as expected during the year.
My Department is also providing additional vital supports to rural and community organisations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is supporting the following initiatives:
- The Community Services Programme, or CSP, currently supports over 400 community organisations. My Department is committed to supporting these organisations during this time and has recently developed the 2020 Support Fund. The Fund will provide an additional once off payment to cover a 12-week period from 26 March 2020. For full-time CSP supported employees, an enhanced CSP contribution will be provided so that employers can pay a maximum of €350 net per week, with a proportionate amount for part-time CSP supported employees.
- On 16 March 2020, my Department launched the COVID-19 Government Action Plan in partnership with other Departments, State agencies and our extensive network of community and voluntary organisations. These initiatives provide support for volunteering, funding to ALONE for their crisis telephone support line, and an email helpdesk facility to assist smaller community groups with their queries.
-On 9 April 2020, an initial €2.5 million COVID-19 Emergency Fund was introduced to provide immediate and urgently needed funding to community and voluntary groups that are participating in the Government’s “Community Call” initiative which is being led by the Local Authorities.
- On Friday 8 May 2020, I announced a €35 million Covid-19 Stability Fund, from the Dormant Accounts Fund, to provide a level of support to qualifying organisations who are most in need and have seen their trading and/or fund-raising income drop significantly during the crisis.
- The Fund opened for applications on 11 May 2020. The closing date is 20 May 2020 at 5pm. Further details can be found on my Department's website at www.gov.ie/DRCD or the website of Pobal at
https://www.pobal.ie/new-covid-19-support-scheme-for-community-voluntary-organisations-charities-and-social-enterprises-announced/
- Applications to the scheme can be located on the link: COVID-19 Stability Fund:
https://www.pobal.ie/programmes/covid-19-cv-stability-scheme/
- There is also a commitment to a Philanthropy Fund (Innovate Together), which will focus on supporting responses to the COVID-19 crisis that require innovative and adaptive solutions to existing and emerging challenges. The Fund is supported by a commitment of €5 million from my Department through the support of the Dormant Accounts Fund. Innovate Together is a collaboration between Government, philanthropists and social innovations. Social Innovation Fund Ireland pledges to raise additional significant philanthropic funds for this initiative. The deadline for applications is 27 May 2020 at 5pm. Details can be found at the link:
http://www.socialinnovation.ie/innovate-together/
- The organisation referred to by the Deputy can check their eligibility for the above supports through the Department or from the Pobal website links provided.
- In addition to the measures which have been introduced by my Department for community and voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises, the Government has put in place a range of supports and guidance for businesses impacted by COVID-19. A downloadable guide to these supports and their eligibility criteria is available here. Details of enhanced government supports for businesses announced on 2 May 2020 are available here. Enquiries can be directed to the relevant contact points listed in the material.
1171. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the Covid-19 supports and funds announced by his Department or State agency under his remit; the application process involved for each; the deadlines for each such support; and if primary legislation will need to be enacted to operationalise the supports. [6251/20]
View answerThe Government is aware of the challenges facing community and voluntary organisations and is committed to working closely with the sector in managing through these, recognising that it will require a whole of Government approach.
In this context, my Department launched the COVID-19 Government Action Plan to support the community response on 20th March. This Plan, which was put together in partnership with other government departments, State agencies and our extensive network of community and voluntary organisations, sets out areas of initial focus in supporting a community response to COVID-19. These initiatives provide support for volunteering, funding to ALONE for their crisis telephone support line and an email helpdesk facility to assist smaller community groups with their queries.
My Department has also put in place the COVID-19 Emergency Fund to support the community response. The €2.5m fund provides immediate and urgently needed funding to community and voluntary groups that are participating in the Government’s “Community Call” initiative, which is being led by the Local Authorities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Local Authorities are administering this fund. Further detail, including allocations by local authority area is available at this link
In addition my Department recently announced a package of supports for Community and Voluntary Organisations, Charities and Social Enterprises. The funding package is being made available through the support of the Dormant Accounts Fund, which is specifically set aside to support initiatives which will benefit the most disadvantaged groups in society. It includes a Stability Fund of €35 million and a Philanthropy Fund of €5 million.
Details of the Stability Fund including application details can be found on the Departments website at
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/60d32b-the-departments-response-to-covid-19-and-the-community-call/
The Innovate Together Philanthropy Fund was opened on 13th May, 2020. The focus of the Fund is on supporting innovative responses to the Covid-19 crisis and is supported by a commitment of €5 million from my Department via the Dormant Accounts Fund. Social Innovation Fund Ireland pledges to raise additional philanthropic funds for this initiative and is responsible for the administration of the Fund with oversight from my Department. Applications are open to established charities, social enterprises and to local, regional and national voluntary groups and organisations who are based in Ireland and who are delivering services to the most vulnerable communities immediately impacted by COVID-19.
The first round of applications for the Innovate Together Fund opened on Wednesday 13th May and will close for applications on Wednesday 27th May at 5 pm. Two additional application rounds are planned for June and September of this year. Further details including application forms for the fund are available at www.socialinnovation.ie/innovate-together and queries can also be directed to innovatetogether@socialinnovation.ie
The Community Services Programme (CSP), currently supports over 400 community organisations and my Department is fully committed to continuing to support those organisations. My Department has put in place an additional CSP Support Fund for 2020 which will provide an additional once off payment to many of these organisations to cover a 12 week period from 26th March 2020, ensuring that they can pay their full-time CSP supported employees a maximum of €350 net per week, with a proportionate amount for part-time CSP supported employees.
All of the supports put in place by my Department are operational immediately and none require primary legislation. In addition, assurances have been provided in relation to the continuation of exchequer funding supports for organisations in the sector. It is also worth mentioning that the Government Wage Subsidy Scheme will support employers in the sector to retain staff who are employed under non-exchequer funding sources.
1172. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the package of supports for community and voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises, including the Covid-19 stability fund; and the application process involved and deadlines for each such support. [6252/20]
View answerThe Government is aware of the challenges facing community and voluntary organisations and is committed to working closely with the sector in managing through these, recognising that it will require a whole of Government approach.
In this context, my Department launched the COVID-19 Government Action Plan to support the community response on 20th March. This Plan, which was put together in partnership with other government departments, State agencies and our extensive network of community and voluntary organisations, sets out areas of initial focus in supporting a community response to COVID-19. These initiatives provide support for volunteering, funding to ALONE for their crisis telephone support line and an email helpdesk facility to assist smaller community groups with their queries.
My Department has also put in place the COVID-19 Emergency Fund to support the community response. The €2.5m fund provides immediate and urgently needed funding to community and voluntary groups that are participating in the Government’s “Community Call” initiative, which is being led by the Local Authorities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Local Authorities are administering this fund. Further detail, including allocations by local authority area is available at this link
In addition my Department recently announced a package of supports for Community and Voluntary Organisations, Charities and Social Enterprises. The funding package is being made available through the support of the Dormant Accounts Fund, which is specifically set aside to support initiatives which will benefit the most disadvantaged groups in society. It includes a Stability Fund of €35 million and a Philanthropy Fund of €5 million.
Details of the Stability Fund including application details can be found on the Departments website at
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/60d32b-the-departments-response-to-covid-19-and-the-community-call/
The Innovate Together Fund was opened on 13th May, 2020. The focus of the Fund is on supporting innovative responses to the Covid-19 crisis and is supported by a commitment of €5 million from my Department via the Dormant Accounts Fund. Social Innovation Fund Ireland pledges to raise additional philanthropic funds for this initiative and is responsible for the administration of the Fund with oversight from my Department. Applications are open to established charities, social enterprises and to local, regional and national voluntary groups and organisations who are based in Ireland and who are delivering services to the most vulnerable communities immediately impacted by COVID-19.
The first round of applications opened on Wednesday 13th May and will close for applications on Wednesday 27th May at 5 pm. Two additional application rounds are planned for June and September of this year. Further details including application forms for the fund are available at www.socialinnovation.ie/innovate-together and queries can also be directed to innovatetogether@socialinnovation.ie
The Community Services Programme (CSP), currently supports over 400 community organisations and my Department is fully committed to continuing to support those organisations. My Department has put in place an additional Support Fund for 2020 which will provide an additional once off payment to many of these organisations to cover a 12 week period from 26th March 2020, ensuring that they can pay their full-time CSP supported employees a maximum of €350 net per week, with a proportionate amount for part-time CSP supported employees.
My Department is continuing to liaise with representatives of the community and voluntary, charity and social enterprise sectors and with other Departments with relevant policy responsibility in relation to the challenges faced at this time. Assurances have been provided in relation to the continuation of exchequer funding supports for organisations in the sector. It is also worth mentioning that the Government Wage Subsidy Scheme announced recently will support employers in the sector to retain staff who are employed under non-exchequer funding sources.
1173. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when it is expected community centres will open; the position with regard to a centre (details supplied); if funding supports will be provided to community centres to assist them to reopen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6333/20]
View answerThe government has published a Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business to ease the COVID-19 restrictions and reopen Ireland’s economy and society in a phased manner.
There is no set date for the reopening of all community centres in Ireland. The opening for each community centre will depend on the activities and facilities available there. The roadmap provides more detail and is available on the following link:
https://www.gov.ie/roadmap
The community centre referenced is closed to the public at present due to Covid-19. The centre manager attends the centre each day for a reduced period of time (mainly for admin work) and is also the contact for the Community Call helpline.
I am aware that this centre has specific exceptional funding requirements for fire safety works. My Department provided a funding contribution of €20,000 matched by Fingal Local Authority towards the costs of these works. This essential fire compartmentation work is due to begin after 18th May while the centre remains closed in compliance with Government guidelines.
More generally, community facilities are funded from a range of different sources across different Government Departments and agencies. My Department supports the centre referenced under its Community Services Programme (CSP) with €184,264 allocated to it for 2020. In addition, my Department also recently developed a 2020 Support Fund which provides an additional once off payment to CSP organisations to cover a 12 week period from 26th March 2020, ensuring that they can pay their full-time CSP supported employees a maximum of €350 net per week, with a proportionate amount for part-time CSP supported employees. The centre was paid an additional €5,293 under the Fund.
In addition, my Department recently announced a package of supports for Community and Voluntary Organisations, Charities and Social Enterprises. The funding package is being made available through the support of the Dormant Accounts Fund, which is specifically set aside to support initiatives which will benefit the most disadvantaged groups in society. It includes a Stability Fund of €35 million and a Philanthropy Fund of €5 million.
Details of the Stability Fund are available at
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/60d32b-the-departments-response-to-covid-19-and-the-community-call
Further details on the philanthropy fund are available at www.socialinnovation.ie/innovate-together. Some community centres may be eligible for this funding, depending on the activities and facilities that they make available.
1174. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if his attention has been drawn to the challenges facing many in the community sector with the Covid-19 pandemic; and the specific supports he plans to put in place for projects that are hoping to reopen especially regarding funding and sustainability difficulties following the crisis. [6778/20]
View answerThe Government is aware of the challenges facing community and voluntary organisations and is committed to working closely with the sector in managing through these, recognising that it will require a whole of Government approach.
In this context, my Department launched the COVID-19 Government Action Plan to support the community response on 20th March. This Plan, which was put together in partnership with other government departments, State agencies and our extensive network of community and voluntary organisations, sets out areas of initial focus in supporting a community response to COVID-19. These initiatives provide support for volunteering, funding to ALONE for their crisis telephone support line and an email helpdesk facility to assist smaller community groups with their queries.
My Department has also put in place the COVID-19 Emergency Fund to support the community response. The €2.5m fund provides immediate and urgently needed funding to community and voluntary groups that are participating in the Government’s “Community Call” initiative, which is being led by the Local Authorities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Local Authorities are administering this fund. Further detail, including allocations by local authority area is available at this link
In addition my Department recently announced a package of supports for Community and Voluntary Organisations, Charities and Social Enterprises. The funding package is being made available through the support of the Dormant Accounts Fund, which is specifically set aside to support initiatives which will benefit the most disadvantaged groups in society. It includes a Stability Fund of €35 million and a Philanthropy Fund of €5 million.
Details of the Stability Fund including application details can be found on the Departments website at
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/60d32b-the-departments-response-to-covid-19-and-the-community-call/
The Innovate Together Fund was opened on 13th May, 2020. The focus of the Fund is on supporting innovative responses to the Covid-19 crisis and is supported by a commitment of €5 million from my Department via the Dormant Accounts Fund. Social Innovation Fund Ireland pledges to raise additional philanthropic funds for this initiative and is responsible for the administration of the Fund with oversight from my Department. Applications are open to established charities, social enterprises and to local, regional and national voluntary groups and organisations who are based in Ireland and who are delivering services to the most vulnerable communities immediately impacted by COVID-19.
The first round of applications opened on Wednesday 13th May and will close for applications on Wednesday 27th May at 5 pm. Two additional application rounds are planned for June and September of this year. Further details including application forms for the fund are available at www.socialinnovation.ie/innovate-together and queries can also be directed to innovatetogether@socialinnovation.ie
The Community Services Programme (CSP), currently supports over 400 community organisations and my Department is fully committed to continuing to support those organisations. My Department has put in place an additional Support Fund for 2020 which will provide an additional once off payment to many of these organisations to cover a 12 week period from 26th March 2020, ensuring that they can pay their full-time CSP supported employees a maximum of €350 net per week, with a proportionate amount for part-time CSP supported employees.
My Department is continuing to liaise with representatives of the community and voluntary, charity and social enterprise sectors and with other Departments with relevant policy responsibility in relation to the challenges faced at this time. Assurances have been provided in relation to the continuation of exchequer funding supports for organisations in the sector. It is also worth mentioning that the Government Wage Subsidy Scheme announced recently will support employers in the sector to retain staff who are employed under non-exchequer funding sources.
1175. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount spent on external consultants by his Department in 2019; the average hourly rate; if caps or limits on such spending are in place; the way in which conflicts of interest are managed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7287/20]
View answerIn 2019, a total of €324,839 was spent on the provision of consultancy services to aid the work of my Department, including informing policy development.
The hourly rate varies across consultancies and is dependent on the type of consultancy in question and whether a fixed project fee is applicable.
The Department has detailed guidance in place with regard to procurement of goods and services, including consultancies. Consultants are engaged only when absolutely necessary, with appropriate monitoring of outputs throughout the contract.
Expenditure on consultants is monitored regularly to ensure it remains on profile and within designated budget. All planned consultancies over €25,000 are subject to approval by the Department’s Management Board which ensures effective oversight of all consultancies and appropriate budget management.
Consultancies are procured by open competitive tendering processes in accordance with EU and national rules. In line with this, the Department makes use of the framework agreements put in place by the Office of Government Procurement wherever possible. The use of framework agreements ensures value for money, that hourly consultancy rates are capped at stated levels, and that there is transparency and fairness in the procurement process.
It is also important to note that at all times officials operate in the context of other relevant guidelines and statutory requirements. Section 14 of the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour sets out the requirements, of officials, in terms of conflicts or potential conflicts of interest with Departmental Business. Breaches of the Code are subject to disciplinary action.
The Standards in Public Office and Ethics in Public Office legislation deal comprehensively with standards required of civil servants, including those relating to probity, integrity and potential conflicts of interests.
Finally, procurement practices are also subject to audit and scrutiny under the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act 1993 and Accounting Officers are publicly accountable for expenditure incurred.
