Written Answers Nos. 575-594
575. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the degree to which her Department continues to assess the emerging needs of urban and rural communities throughout the country with a view to responding specifically as required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8308/21]
View answer576. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the degree to which she continues to monitor the needs in urban and rural communities throughout the country as accentuated by Covid-19 or other issues; the extent to which her response to specific deficiencies is guided by information; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8309/21]
View answer586. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which her Department has ongoing dialogue with the relevant authorities and bodies to ensure the appropriate response in terms of investment by her Department in such areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28274/21]
View answer587. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she continues to examine progress in addressing the issues threatening urban or rural communities for whatever reason; her response to date and proposals in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28275/21]
View answer589. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which her Department continues to address towns and villages and communities throughout urban and rural Ireland with a view to dealing with economic deficiencies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28277/21]
View answer590. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the steps she continues to take to encourage economic investment in social supports to encourage investment in jobs and services nationwide leading to increased economic activity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28278/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 575, 576, 586, 587, 589 and 590 together.
My Department delivers a wide range of policies and measures to support urban and rural communities. All policy is underpinned by broad consultation with a wide range of stakeholders including rural and urban stakeholder groups, young people and the wider public, Government Departments and State Agencies. This engagement process provides important insights into issues impacting on rural and urban communities and in identifying areas for response relevant to the work of my Department.
My Department introduced specific supports, interventions and funding packages, having accessed the emerging needs of urban and rural communities impacted by COVID-19. A range of COVID-19 related supports were introduced to support the response and recovery from the pandemic in 2020 including; COVID-19 Stability Fund; Broadened Community Enhancement Programme; Town & Village Renewal – Accelerated Measure; Philanthropy Fund ‘Innovate Together’; Broadened CLÁR Programme; Comic Relief match funding; Libraries Development- Small Scale Capital Works Programme ; Community Services Programme (CSP) Support Fund; Social Enterprise Funding; Volunteer Support Programme and the COVID-19 Emergency Fund.
The 2021 COVID-19 Stability Fund, launched on Thursday 6th May last is targeted at organisations which deliver critical services to vulnerable people within their community but which now face closure or a loss of service due to the impact of the pandemic. The application window is open, closing on 27th May 2021.
The recently launched € 4.5 million 2021 Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) 2021 will support local groups to re-open their facilities post COVID-19. The application window is open, groups should contact their LCDC for information on making applications.
Groups or organisations qualify for support schemes or programmes provided by my Department where they meet the requisite eligibility criteria. Examples where my Department has provided specific supports, interventions and funding packages for communities throughout the country are as follows:
- €50 million 2020 support package for the Community and Voluntary Sector, Charities and Social Enterprises launched by Government and administered by my Department. This funding was made available from the Dormant Accounts Fund through the COVID-19 Stability Fund and the Innovate Together Fund.
- €4.2 million for 2 rounds of the 2020 COVID-19 Emergency Fund which was focused on groups participating in the Government’s “Community Call” initiative.
- €7 million was provided in funding for the Community Enhancement Programme in 2020. This comprised of €2 million in June and a further €5 million in August under the Government July Stimulus package.
- 4.75m Community Services Programme, or CSP, 2020 additional support fund, developed by my Department in response to the difficulties being experienced by organisations due to COVID-19, to continue to retain their CSP supported employees on their payroll, regardless of whether the organisations are in a position to continue to provide normal activities or whether they have had to close their facilities/services as a result of the COVID restrictions. The programme currently supports over 420 community organisations under the Community Services Programme, or CSP, to provide local services through a social enterprise model, in both urban and rural communities. Our 2020 allocation is €46.89m and we achieved full spend in 2020. We have an additional €2m for 2021. Some €49m is available to support community organisations under the programme in 2021.
- My Department worked with Pobal to put in place guidelines for the community and voluntary sector for reopening or operating their premises safely, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- My Department worked to support the Community Call initiative which was an unprecedented mobilisation of both state and voluntary resources to combat the effects of COVID-19. This included providing funding for a COVID-19 Community Outreach initiative implemented by the Wheel and Irish Rural link, which supported the voluntary sector.
- My Department provided flexibility under the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP 2020, €39.1 million) to allow Local Development Companies work to support initiatives put in place to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other key supports provided by my Department include:
- €6.5 million funding towards the regeneration of Dublin’s North East Inner City (NEIC) support in 2020, and the same amount will be available in 2021.
- €340,000 under the CLÁR 2020 programme through the addition of a new funding measure - Meals on Wheels and Linked Services which placed a particular focus on supporting CLÁR communities to deal with the impact of COVID-19 in their areas.
- €5.8 million in funding was approved under CLÁR 2020 for 186 projects. The CLÁR 2021 budget is increased by 10% to €5.5 million.
- €1.3 million support for voluntary organisations who provide transport for service users in rural areas under the 2020 Mobility and Cancer Care Measure.
- €25 million under the 2020 Town and Village Renewal Scheme focused on interventions to support the economic and social recovery of our rural towns and villages and assist them in responding to the challenges presented by COVID-19.
- I have secured an additional €2 million in Budget 2021 as part of the expanded Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
- €20 million, initial allocation in December 2020 for Transitional LEADER Programme which will come into effect from 1st. April 2021. A key focus of the Transitional Programme will be on building capacity within communities which have not received LEADER funding to date. The programme will also support job creation, foster and encourage entrepreneurship, and support projects which address the climate agenda, digital transformation and the Smart Villages approach to building on local strengths and assets. Under the Transitional Programme, the grant rate for enterprises and commercially-focused community projects will be increased from a maximum of 50% to a maximum of 75%. This will further help to support enterprise development and job creation in rural areas in a post COVID and Brexit environment.
- Based on an analysis of the challenges faced by rural communities and ongoing discussions with stakeholders, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, third call for Category 1 applications to the Fund which closed in December 2020 had a dual focus - to deliver planned and sustainable regeneration in towns and villages, and to channel investment towards economic recovery in the post Covid-19 environment, providing an immediate stimulus to support the recovery and further development of rural economies and communities. For similar reasons, changes were also made in relation to the intensity of funding which could be sought from the Fund under this call, with the Fund providing up to 90% of the total project value for successful projects under this call.
- The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme, or SICAP, is our country’s primary social inclusion intervention. It is a national programme delivered with funding of €190 million over a five-year period from 2018 to 2022. The work in each area differs to support local structures and needs rather than imposing general solutions. It will include work to combat isolation experienced by disadvantaged individuals. SICAP supports a range of groups in society which are disadvantaged and marginalised.
- My Department provides support to Local Authorities towards the cost of additional staff to support the community function in Local Authorities. These are key posts which continue to support the coordinated Local Community Development Committee arrangements and the implementation of Local Economic and Community Plans in particular monitoring the emerging needs of urban and rural communities throughout the country with a view to responding specifically as required.
In addition my Department has published a number of important policies which will bring tangible benefits to communities throughout the country, including:
- The recently launched Our Rural Future , a new whole-of-Government Rural Development Policy for the next five years, which sets out a range of measures to strengthen the resilience of our rural communities and economies, including addressing the impacts of challenges experienced by people living and working in rural Ireland and maximising opportunities for rural areas.
- The development of the National Volunteering Strategy provided an opportunity to engage with the sector and the establishment of a National Advisory Group representative of all stakeholders and chaired by the Minister of State, including engagement with our young people through a consultation event with Foróige. €5.1m is allocated in 2021 to provide support to Volunteer Centres, Volunteering Organisation and to assist with the implementation of the new National Volunteering Strategy 2021-2025. Supporting the role of volunteers in our society is an important element of my Department’s work.
Ongoing dialogue is maintained by my Department with rural and urban stakeholders, in order to identify and respond to issues impacting on individuals and communities. I will also continue to collaborate with my Government colleagues and will monitor the issues which impact our urban and rural communities in order to respond to emerging needs.
577. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the timescale for decisions on the 2021 community development pilot programme applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26239/21]
View answerThe closing date for receipt of applications for the 2021 Pilot Community Development Programme was Wednesday 31st March. Due to the large number of high quality applications received, my Department is undertaking a two stage assessment process to examine the applications against the criteria set out. It is expected that successful applicants will be notified at the end of May.
All applicants are being kept informed of timelines.
578. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the level of funding provided for the community development programme in 2021; the range of activities and community development that will be supported under the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26240/21]
View answerFunding of €1m will be provided for a pilot Community Development Programme in 2021. It is expected that the programme will continue for three years. The pilot programme will support up to eight projects engaged in community development work with marginalised communities. An allocation of €120,000 - €140,000 per organisation is anticipated.
The overall aim is to trial community development initiatives that address poverty, social exclusion and inequality, and promote human rights. The focus will be on community development organisations working or seeking to work at local level to address issues in areas such as racism (including Travellers and Roma), domestic or sexual violence, migration, gender, people living in direct provision or seeking international protection, climate action and Just Transition.
The Pilot Programme has attracted a large amount of high quality applications from a range of organisations who work with marginalised groups the length and breadth of the country and it is expected that successful applicants will be notified at the end of May.
579. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her views on the Ballymun a Brighter Future Report (details supplied) published in March 2021; and if she will meet stakeholders involved in the report. [17151/21]
View answer580. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her progress to date on the commitment on page 85 of the Programme for Government to Expand the Dublin North East Inner City Model to other comparative areas experiencing disadvantage; and if the Ballymun - A Brighter Future report can be included in this model. [18419/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 579 and 580 together.
Ballymun is one of the many areas across Ireland that could benefit from a community development approach, and it is important that reports such as 'A Brighter Future' referenced by the Deputy feed into policy and decision making at Government and local level. I would be happy to meet with the stakeholders involved to hear directly from them about the challenges faced in the Ballymun area.
The Deputy references the Dublin North East Inner City (NEIC) Initiative, where my Department is providing €6.5m towards the regeneration of the area in 2021, to help ensure that the recommendations of the Mulvey Report and the actions contained in the NEIC Strategic Plan 2020 - 2022 are implemented.
The Dublin North East Inner City area and the Ballymun area also receive other supports from my Department, consistent with what is provided across the country. For example, my Department also funds SICAP, a five year €190m national programme, delivered locally, to help those in the greatest need. SICAP will provide some €9.9m to the Dublin area in 2021 giving vital support to those community groups and individuals most in need.
In addition, under the Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) my Department is providing €4.5m in 2021 so that community groups can avail of small grants, with approximately €675,000 allocated to the Dublin area.
For both SICAP and the CEP, the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) in each area manages the programme at a local level to ensure the funding is used to address disadvantage.
LCDCs play a key role in tackling issues in disadvantaged areas, bringing a more coordinated, whole-of-Government approach to local and community development. The LCDC structure provides a useful mechanism to ensure that local knowledge is used to target funding to where it is needed most in a particular area. They are best placed to ensure that state funding is channelled to those areas and communities most in need.
I am conscious of the Programme for Government commitment to expand the Dublin North East Inner City Model and my officials are currently working to consider how this can best be achieved, while considering the important role that LCDCs can play in this regard.
581. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 745 of 18 May 2021, if she will outline the differential in the guide price for this service versus all other island services funded by her Department; the reason the guide price for this contract is so low; her views on whether the low guide price is prohibitive to companies putting on more than the minimum outlined service; if her attention has been drawn to the restrictions to island living as a consequence of this minimum outlined service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28094/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, this relates to a procurement matter, which is currently underway. This process is being undertaken in keeping with the standard approach taken for ferry services subsidised by my Department.
When preparing a Request For Tender (RFT) for a ferry service, my Department includes an estimate cost. This is based on the contract that is in operation, allowing for inflation, and serves to act as an indicative cost. When submitting a tender, prospective operators are required to set out their indicative subsidy requirement based on their costs and the service they are proposing. This can be influenced by the number of sailings being proposed, and should also take account of expected income from ticket sales.
The subsidy required for ferry services varies from island to island, contingent on competition for/on the route, the costs arising for the operators themselves, the location of the island, the number of passengers/tourists etc.
When developing an RFT, the frequency of the sailings requested is a minimum level required. Distance from the mainland and the availability of shops, schools and local services all contribute to the number of minimum sailings required. Prospective operators may offer additional sailings and services, and such additionality is encouraged and welcomed.
When scoring the proposals, marks are given for additional sailings, marketing etc, with operators being expected to develop the business and the service. The RFT does not limit the number of sailings in any way.
582. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there is a policy of data back-up in the operations of her Department and all agencies under her remit. [28124/21]
View answerMy Department's ICT services are provided by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO). For operational security reasons, neither my Department nor the OGCIO will provide any details of its data security systems or those of the bodies under its aegis, as it would be inappropriate to disclose information that may in any way assist those with malicious intent.
583. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 2097 of 24 March 2021, if her Department has made recent introductions between local authority broadband officers and satellite companies in relation to broadband connectivity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28229/21]
View answerMy Department continues to pursue a number of different projects to further broadband connectivity across rural Ireland and, although there have been no further introductions between local authority broadband officers and satellite companies since the Deputy’s previous question, there has been good progress in broadband connectivity in a number of areas and across several projects run by my Department.
There are now 178 Broadband Connection Points (BCP) live, with that number growing every month. My Department is working with these sites to support initiatives in the BCPs under various themes, including: remote working, skills and education training, eHealth services, and arts and culture events. Programmes will be run throughout the BCP network over the rest of the year.
The WiFi4EU project started in 2018 and aims to provide free public Wi-Fi connectivity for citizens and visitors in communities across the EU. Each Local Authority applied for vouchers from the EU with my Department matching this funding up to a maximum of €15,000 per voucher. These vouchers can be used for the installation of Wi-Fi equipment to enable free Wi-Fi access in public spaces including parks, squares, public buildings, libraries, health centres and museums. Six Local Authorities have already officially launched and, once completed, the WiFi4EU project will see circa 2,000 public Wi-Fi hotspots connected across Ireland.
Microsoft's Airband Television White Space Technology has also been deployed in County Carlow, an example of the kind of innovative solutions that can be explored when Government, Local Government and industry work collaboratively to address connectivity and other barriers experienced by disadvantaged communities across rural Ireland.
The Local Authority Broadband Officers continue to meet as a network with my Department on a monthly basis. Most recently, the meeting included a presentation from my Department on the €5M Connected Hubs Call. This initiative will provide funding to support small scale capital works in existing hubs, both public and private, and Broadband Connection Points.
584. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount allocated by her Department for urban and rural development and renewal purposes in the past three years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28272/21]
View answer585. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount allocated by her Department for urban and rural development and renewal purposes in the past three years to date in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28273/21]
View answer588. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the beneficial impact to date arising from financial support allocated by her Department to statutory and or voluntary groups throughout the country in cases in which communities might experience social and or economic deprivation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28276/21]
View answer592. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which her Department continues to revitalise all parts of the country urban and rural with a view to enhancing the ability to contribute to an evenly spread development in terms of jobs and investment nationwide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28280/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 584, 585, 588 and 592 together.
A 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, including in County Kildare.
My Department provides strategic interventions, funding programmes and supports which target and address 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.
My Department funds a range of programmes and schemes to assist in rural and community development which are available to eligible community groups and organisations throughout the country.
My Department was allocated €341 million in the 2021 Revised Estimates, this ensures that we are in a position to further assist communities seeking funding and other supports for important local activities and projects.
The amount allocated by my Department for urban and rural development and renewal purposes in the past three years to-date is €251 million in 2018, €315 million in 2019, €314 million in 2020, and €106 million to date in 2021. Kildare was allocated €4.2 million in 2018, €10.9 million in 2019, €7.6 million in 2020 and €2.8 million to date in 2021.
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, and the Strategy to Support the Community & Voluntary Sector in Ireland.
The new national rural development policy Our Rural Future, which I launched in March last, sets out a blueprint for the development of rural Ireland over the next five years. The policy is supported by 150 commitments across Government, which will address the challenges facing communities and deliver new opportunities for people living in rural areas.
Delivery of the measures contained in the policy will help rural Ireland to recover from the impacts of COVID-19, enable long-term development of rural areas, and create more resilient rural economies and communities for the future. The policy highlights the interdependence of rural and urban areas, and the integral role of rural Ireland in contributing to balanced regional development in terms of jobs and investment.
The policy will be underpinned by investment across Government in areas such as the roll out of high-speed broadband, remote working facilities, job creation, town centre regeneration, community development, improvements in regional and local roads, new cycling and walking infrastructure, expanded rural transport services, funding for tourism, culture and heritage projects, and a just transition to a climate-neutral society.
Ongoing dialogue over the course of the five year policy timeframe will ensure that rural communities are at the heart of designing and delivering responses that meet local needs.
I am confident that the funding supports and policies provided by my Department are delivering, and will continue to deliver, tangible benefits for both urban and rural communities, supporting economic development, and enabling the local and community development sectors to continue to provide valuable much needed services and supports to all communities throughout the country.
591. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she has engaged with the various communities nationwide to address deficiencies in infrastructure or services with a view to enhancing the potential of all parts of the country to make a contribution in terms of economic activity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28279/21]
View answerMy Department's mission is “To promote rural and community development and to support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland". A key component of delivering on this mission is regular, ongoing and meaningful engagement with rural and community stakeholders and other organisations working to enhance the quality of life for all of our people.
This continuous engagement allows us to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to have their voices heard, that those most in need are able to access services and supports and that funding available under our programmes delivers most effectively for communities.
Consultation and engagement play a key role in policy development in my Department. The recently published ‘Our Rural Future’, the new Rural Development Policy, is a clear example of this approach. It is the most ambitious and transformational policy for rural development in Ireland for decades, focusing on sustainability and optimising opportunities for individuals, communities and businesses and it's priorities were directly shaped by the people of rural Ireland.
Its development was informed by an extensive consultation process, to identify the issues that matter most to people living and working in rural areas. As a result, the policy recognises the needs of rural communities with regards to infrastructure, such as digital connectivity and built environment, and access to services in rural areas.
These consultations included a range of formats and were held with key stakeholders, including Government Departments, State agencies, rural stakeholder groups, young people, and the wider public.
The Department undertook initial stakeholder engagement through three rural development seminars, and eight workshop events around the country (including on the offshore islands) which were well attended by a wide range of stakeholders including Local Authorities, community Gardaí, community and voluntary groups, education and training bodies, sectoral and representative groups and business interests. In addition, two events were held specifically to obtain the views of young people living in rural Ireland.
The Department held two further open public consultation events, and I hosted an online public engagement event comprising a panel discussion and a Q&A session. In addition, an online public survey invited participants to submit their opinions on the challenges and opportunities facing people living and working in rural Ireland. This survey received 1,733 responses, in which access to public services was identified as one of the major challenges facing rural communities.
All of this engagement was extremely important to inform the priorities contained in Our Rural Future.
The policy was published on 29 March 2021, with a key commitment in its implementation to produce Annual Work Programmes. These work programmes will detail the actions being undertaken across Government each year and associated timelines for delivery.
In order to maximise the impact of Our Rural Future and to maintain communication with rural communities, my Department will be rolling out a range of stakeholder engagement events in 2021, and on an ongoing basis thereafter, including Rural Ideas Fora, a new Rural Youth Assembly, and the establishment of the Higher Education and Research Network. These and other engagements will feed back into the consideration of future Work Programmes throughout the five-year lifespan of the Our Rural Future policy.
593. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent of moneys allocated under the town and village renewal scheme to County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28281/21]
View answerThe Town and Village Renewal Scheme was first introduced in 2016 and is one of a series of support measures designed to rejuvenate small rural towns and villages throughout Ireland under the Department of Rural & Community Development’s “Rural Development Investment Programme”. The funding is delivered through the local authorities.
On the 3rd May I launched the 2021 Scheme with an indicative budget of €15 million. In line with the commitments in "Our Rural Future", this year’s scheme will place particular emphasis on bringing vacant and derelict buildings and sites back into use as multi-purpose spaces, remote working hubs and/or for residential occupancy.
Since the launch of the Scheme in 2016, over €93 million of funding has been approved for more than 1,340 projects across Ireland. Funding is allocated based on a competitive assessment of project applications.
I have set out in the following table funding provided through the scheme to County Kildare since 2016:
|
Scheme Year |
Projects Supported |
Funding Allocated |
|
2016 |
6 |
€380,000 |
|
2017 |
5 |
€416,403 |
|
2018 |
8 |
€520,000 |
|
2019 |
4 |
€312,164 |
|
2020 (Accelerated Measure) |
14 |
€414,700 |
|
2020 (Main Scheme) |
4 |
€439,833 |
|
Total |
41 |
€2,483,100 |
594. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent of funding available through the LEADER programme nationwide and in County Kildare in particular in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28282/21]
View answerThe 2014-2020 LEADER programme for Ireland had an allocation of €250 million. €225 million of this budget was allocated at the outset of the programme to Local Action Groups (LAGs) who deliver the programme and approve projects at local level. This allocation covers both core project expenditure and the administration costs of the LAG.
The deadline for project commitments under the 2014-2020 programme was extended to the end of March 2021 to facilitate the full allocation of the funds available to the LAGs.
The amount allocated to Co. Kildare for that period was €5.2 million.
In line with the ‘Our Rural Future’ – the Government’s Rural Development Policy for 2021-2025, I announced details of a €70 million Transitional LEADER Programme which came into effect last month and will cover the period 2021-2022, with a successor programme to commence in early 2023.
€65 million of this budget is available to Local Action Groups (LAGs) who deliver the programme and approve projects at local level. This allocation covers both core project expenditure and the administration costs of the LAGs.
A further €3 million of the funding is being allocated to support Co-operation projects and innovation between LAGs, while the remaining €2 million is being provided to provide preparatory support for the next LEADER programme. Further funding opportunities under the LEADER Food Initiative remain in place until the entirety of funds are exhausted.
The amount allocated to Co. Kildare under the Transitional programme is €1.5 million. This allocation is provided on a pro-rata basis, commensurate with the allocations made at the start of the 2014-2020 LEADER programme.
The LAG in Co. Kildare is the Kildare Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) in partnership with Kildare County Council and Kildare County LEADER Partnership. All project approvals are made by the LAG.
Under the Transitional Programme, which began on 1st April 2021, 3 projects with a combined grant value of almost €190,000 have been approved for funding by the LAG to date. A further 2 projects, with a grant value of over €55,000, are at earlier stages of the approvals process.
Project payments in respect of these projects will be drawn down as approved works are completed and claims for payment are submitted by the project promoters.
