Robert Troy
Question:874. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will extend the street and shop front grant past November 2021 (details supplied). [46364/21]
View answerCommunity Development Projects
Questions (874)
Written answers
The €7 million Streetscape Enhancement Initiative, which is a commitment in Our Rural Future, is designed to make 124 of our rural towns and villages more attractive and welcoming places for locals and visitors alike. Property owners will be part funded to improve the facades of buildings, carry out artwork and install features such as canopies and street furniture.
The initiative is being delivered by the Local Authorities on behalf of my Department. The maximum level of funding that can be provided to individual properties is set at a national level, with considerable discretion provided to Local Authorities to design the scheme locally to meet their individual needs.
The funding is being made available from savings elsewhere in my Department's vote and will not be available for use next year. As such, the works must be delivered by November and all grant funding fully utilised before the end of the year. My Department is working very closely with local authorities to ensure that as much flexibility as possible is being provided in the delivery of the scheme and to facilitate quick delivery on the ground.
I understand that there has been a good level of demand for the funding and I look forward to seeing the impact of this initiative on our towns and villages in the coming months.
Community Development Projects
Questions (875)
Emer Higgins
Question:875. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the streetscape enhancement initiative of her Department was open to applicants living in local authorities in rural areas of County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46565/21]
View answerWritten answers
The €7 million Streetscape Enhancement Initiative, which is a commitment in Our Rural Future, is designed to make 124 of our rural towns and villages more attractive and welcoming places for locals and visitors alike. Property owners will be part funded to improve the facades of buildings, carry out artwork and install features such as canopies and street furniture.
The initiative is being delivered by the Local Authorities on behalf of my Department. Given the focus of the scheme, Local Authorities in Dublin, with the exception of Fingal, and the city councils in Cork and Galway are not eligible under the streetscape initiative.
Local Authorities throughout the country selected the individual towns and villages that would be targeted with this funding. In Dublin, this included Rush, Lusk, Donabate, Skerries, and Oldtown as selected by Fingal County Council.
Departmental Projects
Questions (876)
Alan Dillon
Question:876. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of upgrading a helipad (details supplied); the stage it is currently at; when it is likely to go to tender; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46590/21]
View answerWritten answers
The construction of a new helipad referred to by the Deputy is a project being undertaken by Mayo County Council, with financial assistance from my Department.
My Department provided funding for the purchase of land for this project in late 2020. Mayo County Council submitted an initial design however the Department required amendments to the original design and I understand that a revised design has now been agreed.
Mayo County Council are currently working with my Department in preparing tender documents for the helipad's construction and it is hoped that the tender process can commence shortly with a view to having the construction completed in 2022.
Community Development Projects
Questions (877)
Christopher O'Sullivan
Question:877. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the external review of the walks scheme will be published (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46676/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Walks Scheme, which is funded by my Department, contracts landholders to undertake maintenance work on National Waymarked Ways and other priority trails that traverse their lands. The landholders receive modest payments for maintenance work undertaken in line with agreed work plans.
My Department commissioned an external review of the Walks Scheme to examine the delivery and strategic development of the Scheme, and assess the role and resourcing of the Rural Recreation Officer (RRO) posts throughout the country. The reviewers were also required to consider the level of funding provided to the Local Development Companies to deliver the scheme. The recommendations contained in the review will inform decisions on the further strategic expansion of the scheme, including the resourcing of Local Development Companies and RRO posts in particular.
The reviewer's final Report was received by my Department in July. I expect to publish the Report shortly and to outline the next steps in implementing the findings outlined in the Report, including steps to address the type of issues identified by the Deputy. I am committed to working with all of the stakeholders to ensure that the scheme can continue to function effectively.