Written Answers Nos. 693-704
693. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she and her Department have interacted with various community based groups in County Kildare with a view to easy access to LEADER or other support funds in 2020 having particular regard to the challenges of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43506/20]
View answer694. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the steps she has taken or plans to take to reach out to locally based community and voluntary organisations throughout the country with a view to ensuring access to available support from her Department in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43507/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 693 and 694 together.
My Department's mission is “To promote rural and community development and to support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland".
A key part of achieving this mission is regularly reaching out to organisations in the community and voluntary sector through consultation, engagement and outreach regarding the Department's policies and all of our programmes. This allows us to ensure that those most in need are able to access services and supports and that we deliver outcomes that positively impact the quality of life of those living and working in our communities. This has been of particular importance during the COVID-19 pandemic this year, where such communication has assisted us in identifying supports or funding needs and the most appropriate remedial or proactive measures that can be taken in response.
These engagements include groups involved in rural development, the community and voluntary sector and smaller local community groups and organisations, while we also collaborate and seek the views of other Government Departments and the statutory bodies under the aegis of the Department in regard to these issues.
One example of proactive interaction with communities was the delivery in 2019, in conjunction with Pobal, of a series of 'Helping Hands' events nationwide, to engage with communities and create awareness and understanding of funding programmes. Feedback from these interactions was very positive, and it is hoped that similar events could be scheduled in the future when permitted by public safety advice.
Several consultation processes sought submissions from community groups in 2020. These include my Department's new Statement of Strategy and the new Rural Development Policy, both of which I expect to publish in the near future, and the new National Volunteering Strategy, which was launched by my colleague, Minister of State Joe O'Brien, earlier this month.
My Department has continued to engage proactively with its stakeholders during the COVID-19 crisis through various on line means. This engagement has helped deliver solutions including additional funding to address challenges being faced by those in communities and their representative groups at this time, and I look forward to continuing these interactions moving forward.
695. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she and her Department have provided funds for rural and community groups throughout County Kildare to date in 2020 whether through Covid-19 support payment or otherwise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43508/20]
View answerMy Department’s mission is to promote rural and community development and support the creation of vibrant and sustainable communities across this country, including in Co Kildare, and I am committed to the successful delivery of a number of programmes which have provided financial and other supports to community groups and organisations.
These supports enable economic growth and development and also support communities to address gaps in meeting social needs, and these supports are more important than ever as we deal with the impacts of COVID-19 and Brexit.
The 2020 Revised Estimate allocated almost €375 million (gross) this year to my Department and I am delighted to report that spending is in on track as we approach year-end, allowing for increased supports to be provided this year to meet emerging needs.
In 2020 my Department has allocated over €6 million to programmes and schemes in County Kildare, including the allocation of €1.75 million under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund to the Kildare Town Renewal Plan. Other programmes are providing supports that assist communities in responding to economic and social challenges presented by COVID-19 and continue to support our communities to become and remain sustainable and desirable places to live, work and raise families.
Details of all these programmes, including eligibility criteria, how to apply, and other information, can be found on the Government's website, gov.ie.
696. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the cost value of supports made available by her Department to date in 2020 to rural community-based groups throughout the country in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43509/20]
View answerThe 2020 Revised Estimate provides almost €375 million in funding to my Department this year, with an allocation of €199.7 million for rural development and of €170.6 million for community development.
Many of my Department's funding programmes are open to rural community-based groups. The Community Services Programme is of particular importance, with funding of over €45 million supporting around 450 community-based organisations to provide local social, economic and environmental services through a social enterprise model and create employment opportunities for disadvantaged people. The Community Enhancement Programme channelled small grant supports of over €11 million to community groups throughout the country this year, with a particular focus on the community response to Covid-19. I would also note that the Covid-19 Stability Fund has provided €45 million in grant supports to C&V organisations, charities and social enterprises in 2020 - with around 600 organisations benefitting from these substantial supports. Finally, the LEADER programme is providing significant funding to rural areas and communities, with €45 million being spent on the programme this year supporting both rural enterprises and rural community groups.
The supports provided to community groups, in both rural and urban areas, are a vital part of the work of my Department and I am pleased with the level of funding, and the responsiveness of that funding, in 2020. Full information on programmes and lists of successful grantees are made available on the drcd.gov.ie website.
697. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which her Department has focused on specific areas of deprivation in urban or rural community sectors; the extent to which she has been in a position to offer assistance in one way or another to date in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43510/20]
View answerA vital part of the Department for Rural and Community Development's mission is to support the creation of vibrant and sustainable communities across this country.
My Department has developed strategic interventions, funding programmes and supports which target and address basic issues of social and or economic deprivation in rural and urban communities throughout the country. In the present COVID-19 environment the supports provided by my Department to assist vulnerable communities are more important than ever.
The 2020 Revised Estimate allocated almost €375 million (gross) to my Department this year and I am delighted to report that spending is in on track as we approach year-end, ensuring that substantial supports continue to be provided to communities in urban and rural areas. This funding includes the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), the Community Services Programme, the CLÁR Programme, the Community Enhancement Programme, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and funding for public libraries across the country.
My Department is also responsible for a number of national policies that provide, for both urban and rural areas nationwide, an integrated and strategic way of delivering supports, programmes and schemes, coordinating measures to address imbalances or lack of opportunity, making a real difference to people’s lives. These include the National Policy on Social Enterprise, the Strategy to Support the Community & Voluntary Sector in Ireland, and a new rural development policy which is currently being finalised and which I expect to be published in the near future.
698. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she and her Department have identified specific areas or instances of urban or rural isolation throughout the country in the past year; the efforts made to assist current or pending; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43511/20]
View answer703. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she and her Department have focused on rural isolation with a view to remedial measures; the extent of assistance offered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43516/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 698 and 703 together.
Addressing the issue of individual isolation in communities has become more important than ever before due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The issue of isolation in communities cut across the work of a number of Departments, and this is reflected in ongoing work on community policing, rural transport and social inclusion, among other areas.
Many of my Department's policies and funding programmes aim to address isolation issues in communities, and also deliver benefits by responding to the challenges facing vulnerable individuals due to COVID-19.
Physical and social isolation can have a significant impact on people living in rural areas. My Department is finalising a new rural development policy for the next five years, which will build on the progress achieved through the Action Plan for Rural Development, which concluded in 2019. The policy will seek to strengthen and build resilience in our rural communities and will identify policy measures for delivery in order to achieve these objectives.
Other key interventions include funding the Seniors Alert Scheme, which enables older people to live securely, with peace of mind, in their homes through the provision of personal monitored alarms, ensuring contact is maintained with those who are vulnerable.
As part of the Department’s COVID-19 Action Plan, increased support was provided for older people through our funding partnership with ALONE for their crisis telephone support line and follow-on practical supports for those who need it.
The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) is Ireland’s primary social inclusion funding intervention, delivered locally by Local Development Companies (LDCs) to help those in the greatest need access supports to enable participation in communities. SICAP workers have extensive local connections and in-depth knowledge of available resources and supports and are continuing to work to ensure the emerging needs of their localities are responded to.
Local Development Companies (LDCs) have put in place various measures to ensure SICAP supports continue to be delivered and that vulnerable people continue to be supported throughout the COVID-19 crises, examples as follows:
Online supports are delivered via telephone, email, Zoom, etc., with LDCs providing additional support to individuals with limited access to technology, in the form providing them with laptops/tablets and upskilling them in their usage.
- LDCs that operate a “friendly call” service to elderly people saw an increase in demand for the service with some LDCs mobilizing local community groups to become involved in making regular contact with older, vulnerable isolated people during COVID.
- LDCs supported an increase in demand for Meals on Wheels services and foodbanks, particularly for those not able to travel to shops and those experiencing food poverty.
- Other responses included Pharmacy & Shopping Services; Employment and Self-Employment Supports; Supports to Community Groups; Online Training; Health, Well-Being and Social Prescribing; Mental Health Supports.
- My Department offered every flexibility to the Local Development Companies (LDCs) which freed up SICAP workers to focus on a community response to the crisis. Given their presence in local communities, the LDC response to the crisis was rapid and widespread with many of their 170,000 service users reached in the early days and weeks of the crisis.
Volunteering is also very much at the forefront of initiatives of this nature and the Department will continue to support volunteering both by the provision of funding and other supports, and the implementation of the recently published National Volunteering Strategy.
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) funding will ensure that remote areas, particularly those that are likely to wait longest for connections, are provided with access to high-speed broadband in their communities while waiting for the National Broadband Plan roll-out to reach them.
The 2020 Town and Village Renewal Scheme (T&V) has been tailored to include projects which adapt outdoor spaces for hosting social gatherings/events to support the economic and social recovery of our rural towns and villages while living with COVID-19.
I will continue to work with my Government colleagues to monitor the adequacy of these supports to address isolation during the coming months.
699. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which her Department has identified specific local initiatives throughout the country worthy of support by her Department since its inception; her ongoing proposals in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43512/20]
View answer701. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which her Department has identified specific local initiatives in County Kildare worthy of support by her Department since its inception; her ongoing proposals in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43514/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 699 and 701 together.
A vital part of my Department's mission is to support the creation of vibrant and sustainable communities across this country, including in Co Kildare. In support of that mission there are a number of key objectives:
- creating conditions to support increased economic opportunities and local employment in all areas of the country
- delivering schemes and programmes that support the revitalisation of towns and villages
- improving access to services and social networks that ensure a high quality of life
- enabling communities disadvantaged by location or social issues to reach their full potential
- supporting communities to have a voice to shape their own future.
My Department is currently finalising a new Statement of Strategy in the context of the current challenging environment, and the Strategy will set out the ways in which we aim to deliver positive outcomes for rural Ireland and all communities in that context.
In respect of delivering enhanced opportunities throughout Ireland and supporting worthy local initiatives, I am satisfied that the various funding supports and policies delivered by my Department are having an important and positive impact across the country.
My Department is responsible for a number of key national policies that provide, for both urban and rural areas nationwide, an integrated and strategic way of delivering supports, programmes and schemes, coordinating measures to address imbalances or lack of opportunity, making a real difference to people’s lives. Those Policies include the National Policy on Social Enterprise, the Strategy to Support the Community & Voluntary Sector in Ireland and a new rural development policy which is currently being finalised and which I expect to be published shortly. In the present COVID environment the supports provided by my Department to assist vulnerable communities are more important than ever.
My Department also works closely with Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), who are responsible for preparing the community elements of 6-year Local Economic and Community Plans (LECPs). These plans focus on rejuvenation measures which will enhance the quality of life and wellbeing of communities in both urban and rural settings.
In addition, my Department continues to work with colleagues across Government to drive positive rural and community development and to deliver policies and initiatives that consider the economic and social recovery needs of all communities, regardless of location.
I am determined that the important work of my Department will continue to deliver available funding and supports that lead to positive visible impacts for all of our communities.
700. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of applications nationwide for various supports available to her Department received in the past six months; the extent to which she has been in a position to respond to such requests; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43513/20]
View answer702. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of applications from County Kildare for various supports available to her Department received in the past six months; the extent to which she has been in a position to respond to such requests; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43515/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 700 and 702 together.
My Department’s mission is to promote rural and community development and support the creation of vibrant and sustainable communities across this country, including in Co Kildare, and I am committed to the successful delivery of a number of programmes which have provided financial and other supports to community groups and organisations.
These supports enable economic growth and development and also support communities to address gaps in meeting social needs, and these supports are more important than ever as we deal with the impacts of COVID-19 and Brexit.
The 2020 Revised Estimate allocated almost €375 million (gross) this year to my Department and I am delighted to report that spending is in on track as we approach year-end, allowing for increased supports to be provided this year to meet emerging needs. The exact figures for applications received in the last six months will be forwarded separately to the Deputy, but I am happy to confirm that in excess of €6 million has so far been allocated to specific projects in Co Kildare in 2020.
My Department will continue to support our communities to become and remain sustainable and desirable places to live, work and raise families and we are committed to reviewing funding priorities on an ongoing basis to ensure supports remain targeted at those most in need.
Details of all these programmes, including eligibility criteria, how to apply, and other information, can be found on the Government's website, gov.ie.
704. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the roll out of the libraries programme; the progress to date in respect of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43519/20]
View answerMy Department's Libraries Capital Programme provides for an investment of some €29 million in 18 major projects, the My Open Library initiative, and a Small Scale Capital Works Programme, between 2016 and 2022.
Three major developments have already been completed under the programme with Kevin Street Library (Dublin) opening in 2018, Athy Library (Kildare) opening in 2019 and North Clondalkin Library (South Dublin) in December 2020. Construction is nearing completion on both Edgeworthstown Library and Wicklow Town Library and they are due to open in early 2021. Construction has also commenced on Ennis Library, Portlaoise Library and Monaghan Library.
Funding has been provided under the Programme for mobile libraries in Kerry and Wexford and for a new schools library van in Tipperary.
The My Open Library initiative continues to be rolled out with funding approved for the service in 59 public libraries. To date the service is operational, subject to COVID 19 restrictions, in 22 branches and it is expected to be available in 17 more in the coming months.
In September, I approved €3m for a Small Scale Capital Works Programme that is providing funding for upgrades and renovations in 113 libraries around the country.
To date, just over €17 million has been paid out under the Libraries Capital Programme and I expect local authorities to continue to make good progress in 2021.
