Written Answers Nos. 480-499
480. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of new markets identified for Irish food and food products in the wake of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38959/21]
View answer481. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which alternative third-country markets are being established for Irish agricultural produce given the impact of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38960/21]
View answer482. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for the establishment of new markets for dairy, beef and pigmeat in the wake of Brexit with particular reference to addressing the issues of greatest or most pressing need at the earliest possible date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38961/21]
View answer483. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which his Department has identified new EU or non-EU markets for Irish quality product in the dairy, beef and or pigmeat sectors with a view to ensuring sustainability and viability in the future for family farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38962/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 480 to 483, inclusive, together.
Developing increased trade opportunities continues to be an integral part of the Department’s response to the challenges posed by Brexit. The key challenge here is to continue to maximise the volume and value of Irish agri-food exports to all destinations, and to anticipate and, as best we can, mitigate the potential impact of adverse developments in trading patterns.
This requires a two-handed approach, comprised of support for our existing and potential future UK trade, as well as further development and diversification in EU and third country markets.
The Department and its agencies have invested hugely in this work. Encouragingly, and despite an extremely challenging year in 2020, exports totalled €14.1 billion compared with exports of €12.6 billion in 2016, the year the UK voted to leave the EU. In 2020, 37% of agri-food exports went to the UK, which was down from 40% in 2016. Remaining agri-food exports in 2020 were split between the EU-27 market (31%) and other third country markets (32%).
The Department continues to be very active in the development of EU and third country markets through Trade Missions and key customer engagements. These were carried out virtually in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are also continuing to work on the opportunities provided by recent EU Free Trade Agreements with third countries, and to press for the removal of technical market access barriers across a range of third country markets.
Recent budgets have provided additional funding to Bord Bia to support increased market diversification and promotional campaigns. Bord Bia continues to assist companies to establish a presence overseas through its network of offices and the Department's expanded network of agriculture attachés actively supports Bord Bia and exporters in this regard.
484. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a response will issue in relation to queries raised by an organisation (details supplied) in respect of the treatment of potato crops; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39053/21]
View answerThe queries referred to, concerning the treatment of potato crops, are currently being considered. A response to the queries will be issued shortly.
The Department recognises that there are challenges for the potato industry and that, in particular, there are challenges relating to procedures for the effective desiccation of crops. A number of actions have been taken to support growers. These actions include support for haulm toppers under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme and wide-ranging engagement by Teagasc to provide growers with detailed information on how best to manage crops.
Teagasc will continue their research and advisory work in this area and will continue to work closely with industry representatives and with growers.
485. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of staff by location and function in each office of her Department nationally by location; if the property is State owned or leased; and the detail of these leases in the case of those properties on a lease in terms of cost, term and next break date. [38849/21]
View answerMy Department was established in July 2017 and currently occupies office space at two locations - Trinity Point, Dublin 2, and Government Buildings, Ballina, Co. Mayo. The offices occupied in Ballina are in the ownership of the Office of Public Works (OPW), while the lease arrangements in relation to Trinity Point are managed on our behalf by the OPW. In both cases, no costs are directly incurred by my Department.
Both the Dublin and Mayo offices contain staff working for both the Rural and Community Development functions of the department. Both locations also contain staff who work within the Corporate and Strategic Development function of the Department.
My department also has responsibility for the Islands, whereby staff are based in an office in Na Forbatha, Galway whereby the lease or ownership of the office is a matter for the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. DRCD also has 7 regional staff who have no fixed location.
The number of staff in each location as of the 12th July 2021 is outlined below:
|
Location |
Number of Staff |
|
Trinity Point, Dublin 2 |
80 |
|
Government Buildings, Ballina, Co. Mayo |
76 |
|
Regional Staff |
7 |
|
Islands Staff |
9 |
486. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding allocated to date through the various schemes controlled by her Department by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38963/21]
View answer487. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding allocated to date through the various schemes controlled by her Department in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38964/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 486 and 487 together.
My Department was established in 2017 and 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, €133 million in 2017, €251 million in 2018, €315 million in 2019, €314 million in 2020, and €209 million to date in 2021.
Kildare was allocated, €2.9 million in 2017, €4.2 million in 2018, €10.9 million in 2019, €7.6 million in 2020 and €2.2 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.
Details of funding allocations under specific schemes provided by my Department are available online at www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-rural-and-community-development/
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, 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.
488. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the degree to which her Department continues to target urban or rural deprivation by way of specifically designed assistance in financial terms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38965/21]
View answer491. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of projects throughout the country in urban or rural areas currently in place through her Department aimed at addressing issues of social or economic disadvantage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38968/21]
View answer492. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the degree to which she and her Department continue to liaise with urban and rural communities with a view to identifying the most appropriate means of offering support to meet their specific concerns particularly in the aftermath of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38969/21]
View answer493. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the success to date of the various initiatives introduced by her Department to address issues of social or economic deprivation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38970/21]
View answer494. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her medium to long-term objectives to ensure that economic progress is spread evenly throughout the country in a sustainable way; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38971/21]
View answer495. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which her Department continues to be in contact with urban or rural based groups seeking to improve opportunities for employment and social development within the communities; the success of such schemes to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38972/21]
View answer504. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of persons in urban and rural areas likely to benefit from initiatives taken by her and her Department through the aegis of the various schemes in place; if any new schemes or extension to existing schemes are proposed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38982/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 488, 491 to 495, inclusive, and 504 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 assessed 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.
My Department continues to provide COVID-19 supports to communities right across the country. On 6th May I launched the 2021 Stability Fund, with an allocation of €10m, targeting organisations which deliver critical services to vulnerable people within their community but which now face closure or loss of service due to the impact of the pandemic. This €10 million investment builds on the €45 million Stability Fund 2020, which supported almost 600 organisations across the country.
The application process for the 2021 Stability Fund has now closed, with applications appraised and assessed in batches to facilitate timely drawdowns. Decisions will be released on an ongoing basis. I was pleased to announce Tranche One of successful grantees under the 2021 Stability Fund on 9th July 2021, supporting 180 organisations with close to €4.5m in allocations. Further tranches will follow in due course.
The recently launched €4.5 million 2021 Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) 2021 will also 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.
The COVID-19 pandemic has put a spotlight on the invaluable role played by Social Enterprises in their communities. Across Ireland throughout this pandemic Social Enterprises have made an important contribution in areas such as mental health, social inclusion and the circular economy.
In February, I announced a €800,000 call for proposals from Local Development Companies to provide supports to assist Social Enterprises in their recovery from COVID-19. given the high level of interest and quality of the applications, on 8 July I increased this allocation to €945,000.
The programme, which is funded through my Department’s Dormant Accounts Fund, will provide free training and mentoring to social enterprise managers, directors and staff across the country. It is estimated that over 550 social enterprises will benefit from these supports over the next year, which will build their capacity in areas such as strategic planning, digital innovation, capacity building and governance.
The COVID-19 Social Enterprise Regeneration Programme builds on successful schemes for Social Enterprises funded by my Department in recent years, such as the Training and Mentoring Scheme and the Small Capital Grants Scheme for Social Enterprises. This announcement underscores my commitment to supporting Social Enterprises and to delivering the National Social Enterprise Policy 2019-2022 which was published by my Department in 2019 and is part of a suite of policy initiatives from the Department of Rural and Community Development to support those who work with communities and disadvantaged groups.
The programme will be delivered by the Local Development Companies on a regional basis and will be managed on the Department’s behalf by the Irish Local Development Network (ILDN). The regional rollout of the scheme contributes positively to the commitment under Our Rural Future to deliver a suite of new measures to support the development of Social Enterprises in rural and to contribute to job creation locally.
Other supports provided by my Department for communities impacted by COVID include:
- €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.
- €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.
- 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.
Groups or organisations qualify for support schemes or programmes provided by my Department where they meet the requisite eligibility criteria. Some examples of key supports, interventions and funding provided by my Department for communities throughout the country are as follows:
- €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.
- 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.
- Since the establishment of the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, 164 projects have been approved for funding of €249 million for projects costing €328 million.
- The projects approved for funding are large scale, ambitious projects that have the potential to allow rural communities to transform and reshape their towns and villages and position them to take advantage of the opportunities arising from the pandemic in terms of remote working and of people returning to rural areas to live and work.
- I announced the third call for Category 2 applications to the Fund on 12th May with a closing date of 30th July. I am seeking large scale projects that will drive economic growth, combat dereliction and breathe new life into town centres.
- 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.
489. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which her Department has progressed the concept of digital hubs in order to minimise long commutes to work while at the same time replicating a work place environment both from the point of view of the employer and employee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38966/21]
View answer490. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of digital hubs envisaged by her Department throughout the country with a view to enabling persons to remain in their own communities while in a work place environment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38967/21]
View answer499. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of persons currently benefitting from the use of urban or rural digital hubs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38976/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 489 to 499, inclusive, together.
The increased shift to remote working as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic has given us the opportunity for a greater regional distribution of jobs and to support a better quality of life for many people who previously spent many hours in long commutes. This is a key focus of the Government's new rural development policy Our Rural Future.
Remote working, supported by appropriate infrastructure and facilities, has the potential to encourage more people to live in rural areas while working in good quality jobs, no matter where their employer is based. It can also help revitalise our rural towns if remote working hubs are developed in their centres.
The National Hub Network expanded from a €1m scheme that was funded under the 2019 Dormant Accounts Fund Action Plan. This project was originally scoped to develop a hub network, supported by a shared online platform for remote working facilities in the Atlantic Economic Corridor. However, in light of the clear demand for such a network across the county, this was expanded to a national project that would support both Our Rural Future and the National Remote Working strategy.
I launched the National Hub Network, connectedhubs.ie, on 31 May in the Swinford Digiwest Hub in Co. Mayo. Since the launch, 113 hubs have signed on and are now using the platform, with an additional 49 hubs in the process of being onboarded. Furthermore, the number of hubs identified through the Western Development Commission's hub discovery process has increased to 505. These are in the process of being verified before they are mapped on connectedhubs.ie/nationalhubsmap.html. This interactive map provides useful information in relation to each of the hubs and the services that are available at each site.
My Department does not record definitive figures of the number of people currently using the facilities across the range of hubs at this time. Due to current public health restrictions, some hubs are catering for essential workers only and many have not fully reopened. In all, there are approximately 15,000 desk spaces across the hubs nationally that can be utilised.
The National Hub Network and connectedhubs.ie platform will play an important role in allowing us to develop datasets, including usage datasets, which in turn will help to inform future policy and investment decisions.
This represents significant progress and demonstrates the value of the network. I am confident that the ambitious targets that I set for the development of the network will be exceeded by year end.
496. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the expenditure to date under the town and village renewal scheme by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38973/21]
View answerThe Town & Village Renewal Scheme is designed to assist with the rejuvenation of rural towns and villages throughout Ireland, making them more attractive places to live, work, and socialise.
The Scheme has supported or is currently supporting 1,340 projects in towns and villages the length and breadth of rural Ireland. Grant funding is released at various stages as the project progresses, with the final funding being released on completion. Projects funded under the scheme typically take between 12 to 18 months to complete, although flexibility is provided on timelines where that is required to facilitate project delivery.
I have set out in the following table the level of expenditure under the Scheme on a county basis up to 9 July 2021.
|
County |
TVRS expenditure to 9 July 2021 |
|
Carlow |
€2,163,319 |
|
Cavan |
€2,434,207 |
|
Clare |
€2,288,747 |
|
Cork |
€3,281,148 |
|
Donegal |
€2,233,718 |
|
Dublin |
€1,309,984 |
|
Galway |
€2,635,434 |
|
Kerry |
€1,827,510 |
|
Kildare |
€1,362,898 |
|
Kilkenny |
€1,946,703 |
|
Laois |
€2,601,948 |
|
Leitrim |
€2,417,333 |
|
Limerick |
€2,626,022 |
|
Longford |
€1,833,951 |
|
Louth |
€2,125,891 |
|
Mayo |
€3,038,072 |
|
Meath |
€2,261,915 |
|
Monaghan |
€2,164,793 |
|
Offaly |
€2,551,302 |
|
Roscommon |
€2,206,054 |
|
Sligo |
€3,110,973 |
|
Tipperary |
€2,212,494 |
|
Waterford |
€2,081,929 |
|
Westmeath |
€1,734,644 |
|
Wexford |
€2,859,391 |
|
Wicklow |
€1,367,958 |
|
Total TVRS Expenditure |
€58,678,341 |
497. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the expenditure to date under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund; the extent to which the fund has attracted local indigenous support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38974/21]
View answer498. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of participants currently benefitting from or likely to benefit from awards made by her Department under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38975/21]
View answer502. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to build on the success of her rural regeneration plans in all areas throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38980/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 497, 498 and 502 together.
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) forms part of the wider rural regeneration and development programme which also includes the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.
In terms of both RRDF Category 1 (Major Projects) and Category 2 (Seed Funding), funding of €249 million has been approved to date for 164 projects worth a total of €338 million. The total spend to date in relation to these projects is €70.74 million.
The projects supported by the RRDF are coordinated and integrated projects which involve co-operation between public bodies and communities, philanthropic funders or the private sector. The recently completed third call for Category 1 projects provided funding up to a maximum of 90% of the total project cost with at least 10% provided in matching contributions by the applicants. Matched funding may be in the form of a combination of wider Exchequer and/or State sector expenditure, Local Authority investment and/or land, community investment, philanthropic contributions, private sector investment (where appropriate), or other asset contributions. Match funding of €89 million has been committed to RRDF projects to date, bringing the total investment in rural towns and villages to €338 million.
The projects funded under the RRDF are key to delivering on the objectives of Our Rural Future – the Governments five year strategy to revitalise rural Ireland. The most recent announcement in relation to the Fund was the completion of the third call for Category 1 applications in April 2021, with 25 projects emerging as successful and funding of €81 million allocated. These large scale ambitious projects will deliver local and regional benefits, supporting sustainable communities, economic development and job creation. I announced the third call for Category 2 applications in May 2021. The closing date for applications is the 30th July 2021 at 12 pm. An application and guidance document is available on my Department's website.
