Written Answers Nos. 775-786
775. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if public libraries will acquire a book sanitiser machine for each public library; and if so, the costs associated with same. [12034/20]
View answerThe Local Government Management Agency have issued guidance entitled ‘Recommendations for Handling Physical Material in Libraries in Relation to COVID-19’ to all local authorities providing guidance on the appropriate health and safety measures to take in the provision of library services. This document has been informed by Health Protection Surveillance Centre advice received from the Department of Health. The provision of health and safety equipment to comply with the Government’s COVID-19 health and safety guidelines is a matter for each local authority.
In line with the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, libraries began offering additional in-person services from Monday, June 8th. Initially, this consisted of approximately 200 libraries providing a ‘Contact and Collect’ lending service which allows people to order items by phone or email and then collect them in the branch at the scheduled time. This service has now been extended to a phased reopening of branches for in-person browsing. A number of libraries are also providing a delivery service for those who are housebound. All of these services are operating with a minimal amount of handling of items that are to be loaned.
776. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the development of a national strategy on volunteering; when the strategy will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11697/20]
View answerSupporting the role of volunteers in our society is an important element of my Department's work in developing vibrant, sustainable and inclusive communities. Consequently, the development of a National Volunteering Strategy is a key priority for my Department.
The first step in the development of the strategy was a Call for Input paper launched in December 2018. The responses received were presented to the National Advisory Group on Volunteering which is representative of all stakeholders and chaired by the Minister of State. This group has met on three occasions to date and has provided a comprehensive input into the development of the strategy. In addition, officials from the Department attended a youth consultation event organised by Foróige to seek the input and engagement of young people into the development of the strategy.
Following the input of the Advisory Group, a public consultation process on the draft Strategy ran from 20th December 2019 to 31st January 2020. My Department received over 75 responses and was due to meet the National Advisory Group last March to discuss these responses. Following the recent events around COVID-19 it has not been possible to meet with the group. However, my Department is working on plans to bring the group together in the near future to finalise the strategy. In addition, work is underway to ensure that the Covid-19 volunteering experience is reflected in the finalised strategy.
777. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the allocation of the Stability Fund for Community, Voluntary, Charity and Social Enterprises; the number of applications received and funding sought for each; when allocations will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11698/20]
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.
The Community and Voluntary Sector Covid-19 Stability Fund is intended to be a targeted once-off cash injection for organisations and groups currently delivering critical front-line services to the most at need in our society and in danger of imminent closure due to lost fund-raised or traded income as a direct result of restrictions to counter the spread of COVID-19.
This fund will provide €35million of funding through the Dormant Accounts Fund (DAF) and the criteria align with DAF objectives to support:
1. The personal and social development of persons who are economically or socially disadvantaged; or
2. The educational development of persons who are educationally disadvantaged; or
3. Persons with a disability.
Over one thousand applications have been received and as these applications are subject to a verification and assessment process, which is currently ongoing, the final number of eligible applications is yet to be determined. Organisations approved for funding funder the Stability Fund will be informed of the outcome in the coming weeks.
778. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if his attention has been drawn to the unfair nature of the allocation of funding under CLÁR funding for small-scale rural projects measures 1 and 2; if consideration has been given to allocation on a population basis rather than a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11720/20]
View answerThe CLÁR programme is designed to provide funding for rural areas which have suffered high levels of population decline, to make those areas more sustainable places in which to live. The programme is not based on the overall geographical footprint or the population of the county.
In 2019, the number of projects approved in each county under Measures 1 and 2 was decided by reference to the proportion of the CLÁR area within that county. This approach was taken to ensure that counties with a proportionally larger area designated as eligible under CLÁR received greater assistance.
I launched the 2020 CLÁR programme on 25th May last. The closing date for receipt of applications under all measures is 28th August 2020. This year, the supports provided through CLÁR have been tailored to help rural communities respond to the new COVID-19 environment, including through the addition of new funding measures.
Factors which will be considered in assessing applications include the range, mix, quality and impact of proposed projects, how the project addresses the challenges posed by COVID-19, and other relevant considerations.
The full Scheme Outline for the 2020 CLÁR programme is available on the Gov.ie website at: file:///C:/Users/parnellw/Documents/74703_caf3c918-5f59-4989-b68d-516a851662ed.pdf.
779. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will consider providing funding to organisations that could not fundraise during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11746/20]
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 that context my Department is providing funding supports to organisations through a number of different schemes.
The Community and Voluntary Sector Covid-19 Stability Fund is intended to be a targeted once-off cash injection for organisations and groups currently delivering critical front-line services to the most at need in our society and in danger of imminent closure due to lost fund-raised or traded income as a direct result of restrictions to counter the spread of COVID-19.
This fund will provide €35million of funding through the Dormant Accounts Fund (DAF) and the criteria align with DAF objectives to support:
1. The personal and social development of persons who are economically or socially disadvantaged; or
2. The educational development of persons who are educationally disadvantaged; or
3. Persons with a disability.
Over one thousand applications have been received and as these applications are subject to a verification and assessment process, which is currently ongoing, the final number of eligible applications is yet to be determined. Organisations approved for funding from the Stability Fund will be informed in the coming weeks.
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 funding under this fund is now closed and applications are being assessed. Further rounds of funding will be announced in due course.
The Community Enhancement Programme provides small capital grants to community groups to improve facilities in their area, and the 2020 Programme was launched recently with funding of €2m. The Department gives flexibility to Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) to tailor the programme in each Local Authority area, so that it meets local priorities. It is recommended that applicants contact the LCDC in their area for further details.
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.
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 at https://dbei.gov.ie/en/Publications/Publication-files/Supports-for-businesses-impacted-by-COVID-19.pdf. Details of enhanced government supports for businesses announced on 2 May 2020 are available at https://dbei.gov.ie/en/News-And-Events/Department-News/2020/May/02052020.html. Enquiries can be directed to the relevant contact points listed in the material.
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 will support employers in the sector to retain staff who are employed under non-exchequer funding sources.
780. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if his Department has a diversity and inclusion policy in place; the measures taken to promote diversity and inclusion from 1 January 2019 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11831/20]
View answerMy Department is strongly committed to diversity and inclusion enabling the achievement of equality of opportunity in all employment practices. The Department published its first Human Resources “People Strategy 2019-2021”, in June 2019. Our policy in relation to this is set out under one of the goals of our People Strategy, which is the promotion of an equal, inclusive and diverse workplace, with a number of actions over the period 2019 – 2021 to achieve this aim.
My Department has a designated Disability Liaison Officer in place to assist and support staff with disabilities and their line managers by the provision of necessary information and guidance as needed. Staff are surveyed annually to meet our obligations under the Disability Act 2015, in respect of employment of staff with disabilities and exceeded the 6% target set out in Strategy for People with Disabilities 2015-2024.
DRCD participates regularly in the Willing Able Mentoring (WAM) Programme, which is a six month paid programme aimed at providing work experience for graduates with disabilities. In addition each December events are held in our offices to promote International Day for People with Disabilities. Disability awareness training will be provided for all staff in 2020.
The Department’s Gender Action Plan is currently being developed in conjunction with staff, to encourage and support gender balance through better career management and development opportunities. The Department is a member of the Civil Service Women’s Network and has membership of the 30% Club Ireland which promote gender balance at senior decision making levels. Events were held in March 2020 to mark International Women’s Day.
In addition my Department is a member of the Civil Service LGBTI+ Network and participated in PRIDE week 2019, and is celebrating PRIDE 2020 during the month of June 2020.
My Department continues to take active measures to promote and advance diversity and inclusion in both the promotion of relevant policies and active engagement with staff to encourage a culture of a diversity and inclusion where all staff are valued in the workplace.
781. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there is funding available for the establishment of resource centres in rural communities that have been affected by Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12002/20]
View answerMy Department's Community Enhancement Programme provides small capital grants to community groups to improve facilities in their area. The 2020 Programme which was launched recently, may be relevant to resource centres in rural communities, depending on the nature of their work.
The Department gives flexibility to Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) to tailor the programme in each Local Authority area, so that it meets local priorities. It is recommended that applicants contact the LCDC in their area for further details.
The Community Services Programme, or CSP, provides supports to community organisations to provide local services through a social enterprise model. CSP funding is provided towards the cost of employing a specified number of full-time equivalent employees and a manager where warranted. Funding for new organisations is considered in light of available budgets and their suitability with regard to programme criteria.
782. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the supports in place to support charities (details supplied) that despite still receiving Tusla funding will lose over 40% of income due to Covid-19; and if he will examine the charity and advise on further supports available. [12054/20]
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.
The Community and Voluntary Sector Covid-19 Stability Fund is intended to be a targeted once-off cash injection for organisations and groups currently delivering critical front-line services to the most at need in our society and in danger of imminent closure due to lost fund-raised or traded income as a direct result of restrictions to counter the spread of COVID-19.
This fund will provide €35million of funding through the Dormant Accounts Fund (DAF) and the criteria align with DAF objectives to support:
1. The personal and social development of persons who are economically or socially disadvantaged; or
2. The educational development of persons who are educationally disadvantaged; or
3. Persons with a disability.
I can confirm that organisation in question has made an application to the fund. Over one thousand applications were received and as these applications are subject to a verification and assessment process, which is currently ongoing, the final number of eligible applications is yet to be determined. Organisations approved for funding under the Stability Fund will be informed shortly.
783. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a copy of all briefing documents provided to Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party for their programme for Government negotiations will be provided. [12155/20]
View answerThe Department of the Taoiseach will be arranging for the publication of material provided by Government Departments in accordance with agreed procedures, via the Department of the Taoiseach, to Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party, as part of Government formation negotiations.
784. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a consolidated list will be provided of the original broadband connection points, BCPs; the sites that have either declined or withdrawn from the plan to roll out BCPs in tabular form; the reason cited for the withdrawal of the premises from the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12190/20]
View answerThe Broadband Connection Point (BCP) initiative is a collaborative effort involving my Department, the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and the Local Authorities.
BCPs will be among the first sites connected under the National Broadband Plan (NBP) and will be provided with a wireless high-speed broadband connection which will be available to the public onsite and free of charge. They will be located in rural and isolated areas, including islands off the coasts of Cork, Donegal, Galway, Kerry and Mayo.
The BCP sites are typically community-owned and managed premises, such as community resource centres. Participation in the initiative is entirely voluntary and each site was initially identified by Local Authority Broadband Officers.
The identification of sites and engagement with their owners has been an ongoing, iterative process over the last number of years, while awaiting the successful completion of the National Broadband Plan procurement process.
At the time of the award of the National Broadband Plan contract (November 2019) there were approximately 300 identified sites that had agreed in principle to host public access broadband. However, no contracts or other formal agreements were entered into with the site owners at that stage.
In the intervening 7 months, a number of sites withdrew from the programme for a variety of reasons, including the permanent closure of premises, the provision of a commercial broadband service to the premises, or the site owner’s decision to no longer participate. In such cases, the BCPs have been, or are being, substituted with alternative sites.
The majority of BCPs are expected to be connected before the end of 2020, with the rest connected in early 2021. Further information on the BCPs, including a locator map, can be found at https://nbi.ie/broadband-connection-points/.
785. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will establish a grant aid scheme for charity shops that are exempt from local authority rates to enable them to adapt their premises to minimise the spread of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12217/20]
View answerMy Department's Community Enhancement Programme provides small capital grants to community groups to improve facilities in their area. The 2020 Programme which was launched recently may be relevant to charity shops, depending on the nature of their work.
The Department gives flexibility to Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) to tailor the programme in each Local Authority area, so that it meets local priorities. It is recommended that applicants contact the LCDC in their area for further details.
The Community and Voluntary Sector Covid-19 Stability Fund is intended to be a targeted once-off cash injection for organisations and groups currently delivering critical front-line services to those most in need in our society and those in danger of imminent closure due to lost fund-raised or traded income as a direct result of restrictions to counter the spread of COVID-19.
This fund will provide up to €35million of funding through the Dormant Accounts Fund (DAF) and the criteria align with DAF objectives to support:
1. The personal and social development of persons who are economically or socially disadvantaged; or
2. The educational development of persons who are educationally disadvantaged; or
3. Persons with a disability.
The closing date for receipt of applications under the Fund was 21 May 2020. Over 1,000 applications have been received and as these applications are subject to a verification and assessment process, which is currently ongoing, the final number of eligible applications is yet to be determined. Organisations approved for funding from the Stability Fund will be informed shortly.
786. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the estimated amount it would cost in 2021 if the capital budget for library developments within his Department increased by 12%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12426/20]
View answerMy Department funds a Libraries Capital Programme that will invest some €29 million in 18 projects, and the My Open Library service between 2016 and 2022. The Programme has six completed library projects with five projects at construction stage. There are also 15 libraries providing the My Open Library service with a further 12 expected to open by year-end.
The capital allocation under the libraries subhead for 2020 is €7.049m, an increase of 12% would result in an allocation of c.€7.9m.
