Written Answers Nos. 1166-1184
1166. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a 2020 GLAS payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22232/21]
View answerThe person named was approved into GLAS 2 with a contract commencement date of 1st January 2016 and has received all payments in respect of scheme years 2016 - 2019.
Administrative checks involving several sections within the Department take place on all GLAS claims. All cases must clear validation checks before payment can issue.
An issue arose in relation to the dual claim of land parcels which has delayed the processing of GLAS payments for this contract. Department officials are currently working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible so that outstanding payments can be processed.
GLAS payments are continuing on a weekly basis as applications pass all validation checks.
1167. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount spent by his Department on public relations advice and media advice since January 2020 to date in 2021; and the companies engaged for this advice in tabular form. [22267/21]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has not incurred expenditure for public relations advice or media advice during the period January 2020 to date in 2021.
1168. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount spent by his Department on advertising and public messaging in print, broadcast and online since January 2020 to date in 2021; and the companies engaged to assist with placing the advertisements and the companies advertised with in tabular form. [22285/21]
View answerMy Department provides public information about the Department's wide range of schemes, services and policies.
This includes the publication of Statutory Notices that are required to comply with various national and EU legislative requirements.
In the time available, it has not been possible for my officials to compile all of the information requested by the Deputy. Once the available information is collated, I will arrange for it to be forwarded to the Deputy.
|
Period |
Print Total (incl.VAT) |
Broadcast Total (incl. VAT) |
Online Total (incl. VAT) |
|
01 January 2020 to 23 April 2021 |
241,996.69 |
78,749.52 |
36,431.40 |
|
List of Media outlets advertised with |
||
|
Agri Insider |
Horticulture Connected |
Michael O’Brien Media Ltd |
|
Agricultural Advice Alliance |
Horticulture Society of Ireland |
Midland & Tullamore Tribune |
|
Agriland |
Inshore Ireland |
Munster Express |
|
Anglo Celt |
Ireland-China Business Magazine |
Nationalist Series |
|
Carlow Nationalist |
Iris Oifigiuil |
Northern Standard |
|
City Tribune |
Irish Examiner |
Offaly Independent |
|
Clare Champion |
Irish Farmers Monthly |
Old Moore’s Almanac |
|
Clonmel Nationalist |
Irish Field |
Online advertising (includes digital programmatic) |
|
Connacht Tribune |
Irish Food Magazine |
PHD Media |
|
Connaught Telegraph |
Irish Independent |
Public Service Magazine |
|
Corkman |
Irish Org Farmers & Growers |
Roscommon Herald |
|
Country Living |
Irish Timber Growers Association |
RTE |
|
Crann |
Irish Times |
Select Media Ltd |
|
Dawn Media Ltd |
IRS+ |
Sligo Champion |
|
Donedeal.ie |
Kerryman |
Southern Star |
|
Donegal Democrat |
Kildare Nationalist |
Sunday Business Post |
|
Donegal News |
Kilkenny People |
The Agricultural Trust |
|
Dundalk Democrat |
Leinster Express |
The Organic Centre Ltd |
|
Dundalk Leader |
Leinster Leader |
Tipperary Star |
|
Echo |
Leitrim Observer |
|
|
Evening Herald |
Limerick Leader |
Urban Media |
|
|
Livestock Live Limited (LSL) |
Veterinary Ireland Magazine |
|
Farm Channel Ltd |
Longford Leader |
Waterford News and Star |
|
Farming Examiner |
Marine Times |
Western People |
|
Farming Independent |
Mart Eye |
Westmeath Independent |
|
Fingal Independent |
Meath Chronicle |
Wexford People |
|
Forestry and Energy Review |
MediaCentral |
Wicklow People |
|
Forestry Yearbook |
1172. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated cost of replacing State vehicles which are owned by his Department or agencies under his remit with hybrid or electric models; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22560/21]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the Department owns a range of vehicles, including specialised agriculture vehicles, for which there are no alternative electric or hybrid equivalents currently available.
My Department ensures that there is an appropriate focus on good practice in procurement and that procedures are in place to ensure compliance with relevant guidelines and legislation, and delivers value for money. The purchase of all vehicles by the Department is through an Office of Government Procurement Framework Agreement. The cost of replacing existing Department vehicles, where suitable alternative hybrid or electric models are available, is estimated to be €1,454,000.
As regards the twelve State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue within 10 days.
1173. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding available to non-profit organisations that run residential and refuge services to convert buildings to make them accessible for disabled persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21281/21]
View answerFunding for the type of project referred to by the Deputy may be available through the LEADER Transitional Programme.
This programme, which will cover the period 2021-2022, came into effect on the 1 April 2021 for new project applications. The programme is delivered through Local Action Groups (LAGs) in each of the 28 LEADER sub-regional areas around the country.
Funding is provided under a broad range of themes, including enterprise development and social inclusion. In order for a project to be eligible for LEADER funding, it must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved Local Development Strategy for the relevant LEADER area, and it must comply with the Operating Rules and EU Regulations in place for the programme.
The decision to approve a project, or otherwise, is a matter for the LAG which administers the programme in each LEADER area. Interested applicants should, in the first instance, contact the relevant LAG through its Implementing Partner to discuss the eligibility of the proposed application, the related project and the funding that may be available.
The list of all Local Action Groups, their Implementing Partners and their contact details, is available on my Department's website at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c45498-local-action-groups.
The Community Enhancement Programme provides small capital grants to community groups to enhance facilities.Typical projects funded can include the renovation of community centres, community amenities, disability access projects, improvements to town parks, common areas and spaces. It is intended to announce details of the 2021 Community Enhancement Programme in Q2, 2021. It will then be advertised in each Local Authority area by the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) who administer the grant on behalf of this Department.
1174. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the Covid-19 supports available to local community centres such as a centre (details supplied) in County Meath which have suffered a significant loss of income during the Covid-19 pandemic while expenses, insurance costs for example, have continued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21317/21]
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. To that end, Government and my Department have introduced a number of supports to assist sectors in dealing with the impact of COVID-19 and social restriction necessary in the interests of public health.
In 2020, my Department supported 600 organisations to continue to deliver vital services to the most vulnerable in our communities, through the COVID-19 Stability Fund for community and voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises.
I am pleased to say that a further €10M has been allocated to the Stability Fund for 2021 as part of the revised Resilience and Recovery plan announced on Tuesday 23rd February by the Taoiseach. Further details on how eligible organisations can apply for this funding will be available shortly.
My Department also administers the Community Enhancement Programme, which provides small capital grants to community groups to enhance facilities. Typical projects funded can include the renovation of community centers, community amenities, disability access projects, improvements to town parks, common areas and spaces. It is intended to announce details of the 2021 Community Enhancement Programme in Q2, 2021. It will then be advertised in each Local Authority area by the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) who administer the grant on behalf of this Department.
I would encourage the organisation in question to continue to engage with their Local Authority and Local Development Company, and to check on the Gov.ie website in order to be aware of funding opportunities as they become available.
1175. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she has engaged with the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide funding for and or otherwise ensure access to fibre optic broadband and consistent phone signal for Gaeltacht communities and in particular the communities of Seanphobal and An Rinn in the interest of local development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21360/21]
View answerIt should be noted that responsibility for broadband and mobile phone services rests with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications. While I do not have a specific role with regard to broadband or mobile network coverage, as Minister for Rural and Community Development I regularly discuss these matters with my Cabinet colleagues, including the Ministers at the Departments referred to.
The Government is fully committed to improving connectivity in rural and Gaeltacht areas, as is evidenced by the National Broadband Plan and a suite of measures to improve and make best use of connectivity contained in the new Rural Development Policy: Our Rural Future.
Through the Broadband Connection Points (BCP) initiative, my department is establishing a national network of approximately 300 community hubs in some of the most remote parts of the country, including areas in Waterford. These hubs will support remote working, skills and education training, eHealth services, and arts and culture and events, depending on the needs and desires of the host communities. More than 160 BCPs are already connected and operational.
Broadband Connection Points are among the first premises to be connected under the National Broadband Plan and represent a collaboration between my Department, the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, 28 of the 31 Local Authorities and the c.300 communities that will host these services.
Aside from the BCP project, my Department is leading on a number of initiatives to assist rural and isolated areas to access digital services. These include the WiFi4EU program and the National Hub Network, a key deliverable under the Programme for Government and the Remote Working Policy: Making Remote Work.
In furtherance of the latter, my Department has been allocated an additional €5m to support the development of the National Hub Network and BCPs. This Fund will support small capital projects that will add remote working capacity. I anticipate making an announcement in respect of the Fund's launch in the very near future.
I recently announced €75million for 24 landmark projects under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. Many of the successful projects involve the regeneration of historic town centre buildings as Enterprise and Co-Working Hubs. This funding will support connectivity by enabling historic or underused buildings to be utilised as hot-desking facilities, remote working hubs, e-learning or enterprise spaces.
Údarás na Gaeltachta is also involved in rolling out a network of innovation and digital hubs on 6 Gaeltacht Islands with high speed broadband connectivity - one of the policy measures outlined in Our Rural Future.
1176. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if properties in County Carlow were proposed for inclusion in the landmark rural regeneration projects funding programme; if so, the properties; the reason they were not selected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21454/21]
View answerThe third call for Category 1 applications to the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund closed on 1st December.
Category 1 relates to ambitious, large scale projects capital projects which have all the necessary planning and other development consents in place at the closing date for applications. However, as part of this call for applications the date for the confirmation of planning and other consents was extended to 26th February 2021, in order to take account of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications that did not have planning and consents in place by this date were deemed ineligible.
My Department received 66 applications to this call and two applications were received relating to projects in Co. Carlow, both led by Carlow County Council. One application was withdrawn from consideration by the Council itself and it was identified that the second application did not have the necessary permissions in place, as required, on 26th February 2021.
1177. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the process in respect of an application for funding (details supplied). [21671/21]
View answerThe Rural Regeneration and Development Fund was established to deliver on the National Strategic Objective in the National Development Plan 2018-2027 of Strengthened Rural Economies and Communities. The Fund provides investment to support suitable projects in towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000, and outlying areas.
Calls for applications to the Fund are sought under two categories – Category 1 and Category 2. Category 1 relates to large scale ambitious capital projects with all necessary planning and other consents in place and which are ready to proceed. Category 2 provides funding to enable the development of project proposals suitable for future calls for Category 1 applications.
The application process for the Fund is competitive in nature and applications can be made by State-funded bodies i.e. Local Authorities, Local Development Companies, State agencies, other Government Departments etc. Lead parties to applications are encouraged to partner with other organisations, including communities, to put forward proposals.
Applications for the Fund are assessed by my Department under the oversight of the Project Advisory Board, comprised of representatives from key Government Departments and independent experts. Once that process is complete, my Department prepares a report setting out recommended projects and my role as Minister is to consider that report and make final decisions in relation to the allocation of funding.
On 19th April, I announced funding for 24 projects, including Youghal Public Library, which were successful under a Category 1 call for applications which closed in December 2020. Today, the Taoiseach and I announced that Phase 2 of the Ulster Canal was the final project to emerge as successful from that call for applications. In total, the 25 successful projects under this call will receive funding of €81 million from the Fund and provide total investment in rural areas of just under €100 million. To date, the Fund has provided €249 million for 164 projects across the country, worth a total of €338 million.
In terms of future plans, I will be announcing a call for Category 2 applications in the coming weeks and a further call for Category 1 applications will be announced later in 2021. Following each announcement, an application form and guidance document will be made available on my Department’s website. My Department will also liaise directly with prospective applicants to provide further guidance as necessary.
1178. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the legislation required to underpin the recently published policy on rural development Our Rural Future; the timetable for the introduction of such legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21782/21]
View answerOur Rural Future, Ireland's new Rural Development Policy, is an ambitious framework for the sustainable development of rural Ireland for the next five years. The vision of the policy is for a thriving rural Ireland which is integral to our national economic, social, cultural and environmental wellbeing and development.
Our Rural Future contains over 150 commitments to be delivered right across Government, for both the short-term recovery and longer-term, sustainable development of rural areas.
Amongst these commitments is the introduction of legislation to provide employees with the right to request to work remotely and that will be brought before the Oireachtas by my colleague, the Tánaiste, in due course.
In line with the Programme for Government, there will also be legislation enacted implementing revised Nursing Home Support Scheme (Fair Deal Scheme) provisions in respect of family-owned and operated farms and businesses.
There is also a commitment to examine the feasibility of introducing 'meanwhile use' legislation to allow short-term use of empty buildings and shopfronts in towns, as pop-up shops or exhibition spaces, for example.
In each of these cases, and where other legislation may be required in order to fulfil commitments in the policy, it will be a matter for the relevant Department assigned lead responsibility for those specific measures to progress.
Finally, in order to ensure that current and emerging priorities under Our Rural Future are fully addressed, consideration will need to be given to the future resourcing needs as part of discussions in the preparation of Budget 2022 and those decisions will of course need to be duly reflected in the relevant accompanying legislation.
1179. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the budget required for each year of the programme to underpin the recently published policy on rural development Our Rural Future; the sources of the budget; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21783/21]
View answerOur Rural Future, Ireland's new Rural Development Policy, is an ambitious framework for the sustainable development of rural Ireland for the next five years. The vision of the policy is for a thriving rural Ireland which is integral to our national economic, social, cultural and environmental wellbeing and development.
Our Rural Future demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring the short-term recovery and long-term sustainable development of rural areas. It contains over 150 measures, covering the full spectrum of public policy activity, and delivery of these will see an unprecedented level of investment in rural Ireland, building on the excellent progress currently being made.
Some examples of ongoing investment include my recent announcement of €75 million in funding for projects under the €1 billion Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, the largest tranche of funding approved under the Fund to date, and the launch of the €70 million Transitional LEADER Programme. Last week I also launched a call for €14 million in funding for outdoor recreation projects under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.
Other Government investments in rural Ireland include the €2.7 billion National Broadband Plan, €108 million for the Bord na Mona Peat Restoration Project and other huge commitments towards transport infrastructure such as roads, rail, and walking and cycling amenities.
The breadth of public policy measures included in Our Rural Future means that investment will be provided by programmes delivered by colleagues across the full spectrum of Governmental responsibility including in areas such as communications, transport, enterprise support, healthcare and education.
Strong levels of existing funding will be supplemented by support for new and emerging priorities, which will be considered both in the review of the National Development Plan and discussions in the preparation of Budget 2022.
1180. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she has received an application from a group (details supplied) for funding to support its programme; the extent to which she expects to be in a position to respond positively in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21785/21]
View answerMy Department has received an application from the organisation in question for the Community Development Pilot Programme.
The closing date for receipt of applications was Wednesday 31st March and a large number of high quality applications was received. A two stage assessment is underway to examine the applications against the criteria set out. It is expected that sucessful applicants will be notified at the end of May.
All applicants have been informed of the timeline.
1181. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the way in which her Department and agencies under her remit facilitate persons wishing to engage with their services through the Irish language; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21909/21]
View answer1182. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if all forms issued by her Department and agencies under her remit are available in both the Irish and English languages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21927/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1181 and 1182 together.
My Department's first Irish Language Scheme came into effect on 8 April 2019 and shall remain in force for the period of three years from 2019 to 2022. It has been prepared in accordance with the Guidelines outlined under Section 12 of the Official Languages Act 2003. In accordance with regulations made pursuant to the provisions of section 9(1) of this Act, my Department continues to comply with its statutory obligations.
My Department’s Customer Charter and Action Plan includes our commitments in relation to the provision of services through Irish. All written correspondence (letters and email) will continue to be responded to in the language in which it was received. If a member of the public wishes to conduct their business through Irish by telephone, an official in my Department will be available to provide such a service. Our most important corporate documents, such as our Annual Report and Statement of Strategy have been published on our website in both Irish and English and where the Department produces information leaflets and application forms of general public interest, these will be produced bilingually. My Department continues to provide services through Irish to members of the public in Gaeltacht areas as the need arises.
In terms of services provided through the Irish language for the agencies which come under my remit, I can confirm that Water Safety Ireland forms are available in Irish upon request.
The Charities Regulator is reviewing all forms for charities and the public on the Charities Regulator website with a view to having them available in Irish and English as soon as possible. There is a small number of legal forms specific to the Charity Services function of the Regulator that are provided to solicitors in English unless otherwise requested.
Pobal is strongly committed to complying with its obligations under the Official Languages Act 2003. Organisations applying to Pobal for funding are free to complete English language forms in Irish or in English.
The Western Development Commission (WDC) makes all financial statements, annual reports and Public Appointments Services adverts available in both Irish and English. WDC believes in the promotion of the Irish language and notes the ability to speak the Irish language, by applicants, in all current job applications. Any form drawn up by the WDC can be requested in either Irish or English and will be provided within a reasonable timeframe. The WDC has a number of fluent Irish speakers working within the agency and is happy to deal with Irish language verbal queries as they arise.
My Department's Irish Language Scheme has been formulated with the intention of ensuring that all relevant obligations under the Official Languages Act, 2003, relating to my Department, are being fully addressed on an incremental basis, through this and future schemes.
1183. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the financial supports available for churches that on the instruction of the Government have closed and have moved services online at significant cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22101/21]
View answerThe Government is aware of the challenges facing many sectors across the country in light of the current pandemic and is committed to working closely with sectors in managing through these challenges, recognising that it will require a whole of Government approach. To that end, my Department has introduced a number of supports to assist those, in the community and voluntary sectors in particular, in dealing with the impact of COVID-19.
However, the Department of Rural and Community Development has no funding stream available for the funding of religious services or the provision of equipment for churches.
1184. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the cost of each contract entered into by her Department and the agencies under her remit to deal with Covid-19 management and reaction; and the name of the contractor in each case. [22145/21]
View answerIt is not possible, in the time available, to compile the detailed information requested by the Deputy.
My officials are collating the information requested and a deferred reply will be issued to the Deputy shortly.
|
Agencies under the aegis of DRCD Cost on Covid 19 management and Reaction |
|||||
|
Agency |
Cost Incurred € |
Description |
Purpose of Contract |
Name of Supplier |
Contractor |
|
Pobal |
31573 |
Cleaning |
Additional cleaning of offices where there was a staff presence |
Allpro Services - Galway |
N/A |
|
Pobal |
13,883 |
Office Sanitisation Units & Signage |
Purchase of office sanitisation units and signage for 11 Pobal offices |
Conaty Supplies - Navan |
N/A |
|
Pobal |
9,225 |
PPE |
Purchase of PPE for staff working in the Better Start and Compliance units whose role involves visiting Childcare Facilities |
Codex - Dublin |
N/A |
|
Western Development Commission |
6,934 |
Deep Clean & Sanitize |
Office Sanitisation Units & Signage, ICT Hardware & Licencing, Cleaning. |
Halycon |
N/A |
|
Charities Regulator |
3,055 |
Health & Safety |
Ergonomic assessments for staff working remotely |
Chris Mee Safety |
N/A |
|
Charities Regulator |
1,560 |
Premises Costs |
Deep cleaning of office |
Emerald Facility Services |
N/A |
|
Charities Regulator |
7,523 |
Furniture and Fittings |
Perspex dividers between office work stations |
Farrell Brothers Ardee Ltd |
N/A |
|
Charities Regulator |
1,850 |
Health & Safety |
H&S assessments |
Safety Squad Ltd |
N/A |
|
Charities Regulator |
940 |
Premises Costs |
Non-buttons at office doors for H&S reasons |
G45 Security (Ire) Ltd |
N/A |
|
Charities Regulator |
1,745 |
Transportation Costs |
Office equipment delivered to employee homes for remote working. |
Pelko Ltd |
N/A |
