Written Answers Nos. 21-40
22. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to further encourage the establishment of remote working hubs in rural communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50049/21]
View answer49. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the level of support to be provided by her Department in 2021 for the development of remote working hubs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50048/21]
View answer57. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the number of remote working hubs now up and running and available for use of the initial 400 that were identified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49833/21]
View answer58. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the level of funding for remote digital hubs provided for in Budget 2021 that has been disbursed; if additional remote working hubs will be considered going forward in view of the fact that these facilities are vital for both urban and rural communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50014/21]
View answer70. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the level of support for remote working hubs; the amount of 2021 funding that has been disbursed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49949/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 22, 49, 57, 58 and 70 together.
Our Rural Future, Ireland’s Rural Development Policy 2021-2025, recognises the opportunity which remote working presents and also the potential of remote working hubs as key economic assets for our rural towns and villages.
My Department operates a number of funding schemes that focus on projects supporting remote working and that add to remote working infrastructure in every region. The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme both support the establishment of new digital hubs. In April, I announced funding of €81m for 25 landmark projects under the RRDF. Many of the successful projects involve the regeneration of historic town centre buildings as Enterprise and Co-Working Hubs. Support for new remote working hubs is also one of the areas being prioritised under my Department's €15m 2021 Town and Village Renewal Scheme. The focus is on establishing new remote working facilities in town and village centres where properties are currently vacant or where existing community/ publicly owned buildings can be repurposed. This call closed to applications on 16 July 2021 and the assessment process is currently underway, with successful projects set to be announced by the end of the year.
In May I launched the National Connected Hubs network together with the connectedhubs.ie platform. This platform will offer a suite of booking, hub management and e-commerce applications to members of the Network. The National Hub Network Working Group initially identified and mapped over 400 remote working hubs. To date, approximately 146 hubs have joined the Connected Hubs Network and been on boarded onto the platform, with this number rising on an ongoing basis.
A significant number of initiatives will be developed through the Network including: supporting collective engagement between Connected Hubs and large scale employers; supporting collective engagement between Connected Hubs and Government agencies; and helping to identify the benefits Connected Hubs deliver for their local communities and the wider economy.
In July this year, through the Connected Hubs funding stream, I awarded €8.8 million in funding to over 100 successful applicants. This funding supports the addition of capacity to existing remote working infrastructure in digital hubs and broadband connection points throughout the country.
I am committed to continuing my Department's support for the development of remote working hubs in recognition of the vital role that they can play in our post-Covid recovery.
23. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the actions that are being considered to simplify the process for small projects to apply for small amounts of funding in view of assurances given to review the process. [49981/21]
View answerMy Department operates a number of schemes providing small-scale financial supports and grants to community groups and organisations, including the Community Enhancement Programme and CLÁR Programme. The application processes are reviewed before each call for applications to ensure they are user friendly and fit for purpose.
Following a review of the criteria for the CLÁR Programme, my Department initiated a process whereby local authorities further assist communities by verifying information for applicants and ensuring that all required permissions, match-funding, etc., are in place so applications fulfil all scheme requirements.
The Community Enhancement Programme is also the result of a review of the Communities Facilities Scheme and RAPID programme and provides a more flexible, and targeted approach to providing small scale infrastructure funding to enhance facilities in disadvantaged communities.
My Department offers information sessions and workshops for communities and groups on its funding programmes and schemes. This helps applicants understand the schemes, criteria which apply and with completing the application process.
The LEADER programme, under the remit of my Department, is delivered through Local Action Groups (LAGs) in each of the 28 sub-regional areas. I am committed to making the application process for LEADER as efficient as possible for all applicants.
My Department engages regularly with the Local Action Groups (LAGs) delivering LEADER to identify potential areas for programme improvement. Following a forum with the LAGs, I have implemented a series of 31 improvements to streamline the LEADER programme. I will continue to closely monitor the implementation of LEADER to ensure the process is as streamlined as possible while being mindful of the governing EU Regulations.
I believe these efforts will see administrative barriers reduced in order that our funding has the broadest possible reach and that all eligible groups have the opportunity to access available supports.
In addition, my Department is committed to keeping under review the administration of all our funding programmes and schemes to ensure they remain fit for purpose, targeted, can be accessed by those who need the supports most and are delivering benefits for communities across the country. I welcome feedback on our programmes and schemes from communities so we can continue to do this.
24. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will consider providing funding of the development of Schull town park; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50134/21]
View answerThe Town and Village Renewal Scheme is one of a number of measures that supports the revitalisation of Ireland's rural towns and villages. The scheme is administered through the Local Authorities.
This year, in line with Our Rural Future, a key focus of the scheme is to renovate derelict and vacant buildings in our town centres to bring them back into use as multipurpose spaces, remote working hubs or as residential accommodation.
The 2021 Scheme will also support projects to develop parks, green space and recreational amenities in town centres to make them vibrant hubs for community enjoyment and to increase footfall for local businesses.
An application for funding under this scheme was not received by my Department this year in respect of Schull Town Park. The Deputy may wish to explore, with Cork County Council, the works that are required in Schull Town Park, whether such works are eligible under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, and the potential for an application under this or other schemes in future years.
25. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the roll-out of broadband connection points; the number that have been connected to date by county; the number planned to be connected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50013/21]
View answer34. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the roll-out of broadband connection points across Ireland. [50160/21]
View answer76. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the roll-out of broadband connection points in north central areas of Cork city; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50121/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 25, 34 and 76 together.
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are among the first premises for delivery under the National Broadband Plan. They are publicly accessible sites that serve areas without reliable high-speed broadband, including isolated communities in rural areas and on many of our offshore islands. Sites are provided with a high-speed broadband connection which they make available for onsite community use, including remote work and study.
The Nationwide BCP Network will include approximately 300 sites. To date, 214 BCPs have been completed and are open and serving their local communities. Of these, 16 are in Cork County, with a further 8 planned. Cork City has donated its allowance of 12 BCPs to the County and, as such, there are no BCPs planned for the North Central area of the city at this time. Cork County has the highest number of BCPs of any local authority area.
It is estimated that the current build phase of the BCP network will be achieved in the next 3 months. However, it should be noted that global component shortages may impact the delivery of some sites.
Once this phase of the BCP project has completed, my department will begin to scale up the numerous development activities that it has recently begun trialling. These pilot projects include supports for remote workers and students, a suite of digital skills training courses, arts and culture activities including musical instruction and access to national cultural resources, and a range of eHealth and telemedicine programmes.
I have made available funding of €10,000 per participating local authority to support BCP development activities. This is in addition to significant awards made to BCPs for capital works and equipment purchases under the recent €8.8M Connected Hubs Call.
The locations of planned and completed BCPs may be found at myconnectedcommunity.ie/.
26. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department has plans to support rural information support services and assist those in rural communities to access supports they are entitled to. [50088/21]
View answerMy Department's mission is “To promote rural and community development and to support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland". A key part of achieving this mission is ensuring that those most in need are able to access services and supports and that we deliver outcomes that positively impact the quality of life of those living and working in our communities. This has been of particular importance during the COVID-19 pandemic, where ongoing communication has assisted us in identifying supports or funding needs and the most appropriate remedial or proactive measures that can be taken in response.
One example of proactive interaction with communities was the delivery in 2019, in conjunction with Pobal, of a series of 'Helping Hands' events nationwide, to engage with communities and create awareness and understanding of our funding programmes. Feedback from these interactions was very positive, and it is hoped that similar events can be scheduled again the future based on the public health advice going forward.
My Department has also commissioned Pobal to commence work on a scoping exercise for a centralised grantee database which could be a useful mechanism to increase visibility of funding being provided across Government.
In respect of wider entitlements or supports available to individuals in rural communities across other Government Departments, the Citizens Information Service plays an important role in providing free advisory and information services to citizens, while information on individual schemes is also available on the www.gov.ie portal.
27. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the walks scheme in respect of new projects in County Mayo; the funding that has been allocated to these projects; the likely timeline for the development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50111/21]
View answerThe 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.
In March 2019, my Department invited Expression of Interests (EOIs) for qualifying trails to be added to the Walks Scheme. In all, 66 EOIs were submitted for consideration to join the Scheme.
Of the EOIs received, 10 trails were accepted onto the Scheme under phase one of the expansion in December 2019.
On 29 September this year, I announced the 'approval in principle' of an additional 31 trails to join the Walks Scheme under phase 2 of the expansion. This fulfils the commitment in the Programme for Government and Our Rural Future to double the number of trails on the Scheme to 80 trails.
The trails selected for inclusion in the scheme under Phase 2 was informed by the recommendations of an Independent Evaluation Committee comprising of representatives from Fáilte Ireland, Sport Ireland and Mountaineering Ireland.
Three of the EOIs from Mayo were not eligible for inclusion as they were located on greenways. The fourth EOI from Mayo was not on Sport Ireland’s Trail Register and was therefore also not eligible for inclusion.
A new expression of interest process will be opened for new trails in advance of any further expansion of the scheme.
28. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will report on plans for a new location for the Limerick city centre library. [50086/21]
View answerMy Department funds a Libraries Capital Programme that is investing a total of €29m in 17 projects, as well as the My Open Library service and a Small Scale Capital Works programme, over the period between 2016 and 2022. This programme was developed on the basis of priority proposals submitted by local authorities. Limerick City Library was submitted as a priority by Limerick City and County Council and was allocated €2m under the Libraries Capital Programme.
My Department issued a Stage 1 Approval under its Four Stage Capital Management Process to Limerick City and County Council in February 2019 for the development of the new city library as part of the Opera Site development at One Opera Square. My Department met with Limerick City and County Council in April 2021 to discuss plans for the project and I am aware that they are currently working towards submitting a Stage 2 application.
The delivery of public library services, including the provision of library premises, is primarily a matter for local authorities in their capacity as library authorities under the Local Government Act, 2001. Accordingly, the delivery of library services in Limerick City is primarily a matter for Limerick City and County Council. However, my Department will continue to work with and support Limerick City and County Council to progress this project.
29. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the specific funds available from his Department to provide for the delivery of public greenspace, public parks and playgrounds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45843/21]
View answer80. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to ensure the development of sustainable communities with adequate provision and prioritisation of public greenspace, public parks and playgrounds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45842/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 80 together.
My Department's Mission is to promote rural and community development and to support vibrant , inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland. In delivering on that Mission my Department has a range of policies and programme interventions delivered throughout the country. In relation specifically to public greenspace, public parks and playgrounds, the following supports are relevant:
The Community Enhancement Programme in my Department provides small grants to community groups to enhance facilities, including playgrounds, in disadvantaged areas. Funding is allocated by my Department to each Local Authority area, and the Local Community Development Committee, with support from their Local Authority, administers the funding in that area. There is total funding of €4.5m in 2021, with €156,299 allocated to the Cork County Council area.
The CLÁR programme provides funding for small scale projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population over a defined period. Measure 2 of the 2021 CLÁR Programme which supports Outdoor Community Recreation Facilities provides support for the enhancement of existing and/or the development of new accessible outdoor community recreation facilities including playgrounds, skateboard parks and Multi Use Games Areas (MUGAs). The closing date for receipt of applications has now passed. The assessment of the applications received is ongoing and I expect to make an announcement on the approved projects in the coming weeks.
Funding for the type of project referred to by the Deputy may be available through the LEADER Transitional Programme.
In line with the Government’s ambitious policy for the development of rural Ireland, Our Rural Future, which was launched earlier this year, I announced an increased allocation of €70 million for the Transitional LEADER programme, which is now EU co-financed. This funding will support locally-led projects which focus on many of the key themes of Our Rural Future such as building capacity and empowering local communities, embracing opportunities in the green economy, supporting remote working and the digital transformation, developing our outdoor amenities and creating jobs in rural areas
This programme, which will cover the period 2021-2022, came into effect on the 1 April 2021 for new project applications. The programme will be 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.
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 project and the funding that may be available. The list of all LAGs, their Implementing Partners and their contact details, is available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/c45498-local-action-groups.
30. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce is set to meet; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48282/21]
View answer35. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the date of the last meeting of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48281/21]
View answer36. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the expected timeframe for the establishment and operation of the mobile and broadband taskforce; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50164/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 30, 35 and 36 together.
On foot of the initial scoping work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce, 40 actions were identified and assigned to the Taskforce’s Implementation Group to pursue. Over the course of the 2016-2019 work programme, the Taskforce delivered more than 70 targeted actions. Among these were the addition of more than 1,000km of ducting along our national roads, the introduction of ComReg’s outdoor mobile coverage map and a range of consumer protection and advice measures.
The last formal meeting of the Taskforce was the 2019 Annual Stakeholder Forum, 11 October 2019. In the interim, I and my officials have continued to engage closely with all Taskforce members and interested stakeholders to ensure that the good work of the Taskforce continues and is built upon, for example via the continued operation of the Joint Utilities Local Authority User Forum which is the primary means of addressing issues between local authorities, utilities and industry. The lines of communication between former Taskforce members remain open and productive and good progress has been made on a number of fronts.
Notwithstanding this, it is my preference that the Taskforce would reconvene at the earliest possible opportunity. Given the scope of opportunity presented by several recent developments, including the publication of Our Rural Future, it is now the right time to formally re-establish the Taskforce and progress those issues that will have most impact.
Officials from my Department and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications are thus currently finalising proposals to guide the future direction and work programme of the Taskforce and engagement with industry has also commenced in this regard.
31. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she is satisfied with the uptake of the rural regeneration scheme; the number of the schemes that have been completed; and when she expects to have the next round of the rural regeneration scheme. [50031/21]
View answerThe Rural Regeneration and Development Fund provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns and villages and rural areas across Ireland.
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 smaller grant funding to enable the development of project proposals suitable for future calls for Category 1 applications
Three calls for Category 1 and 2 applications have been undertaken so far. To date, 164 projects have been approved for funding of €252m for projects costing over €343m.
In April this year, I announced funding of €81 million for 25 landmark projects costing almost €100 million from the third call for Category 1 applications.
The third call for Category 2 applications closed on the 30th July 2021. My Department received 53 applications to this call. The application process for the Fund is competitive in nature. Applications are currently being 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 will prepare a report setting out recommended projects and my role as Minister will be to consider that report and make final decisions in relation to the allocation of funding. I expect to announce the successful projects before the end of 2021.
I expect to announce the fourth call for Category 1 applications in the coming weeks.
32. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the promised €2 million scheme to fund the development of town masterplans; the details of the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50136/21]
View answerA pilot scheme on supporting Town Centre Living, funded by my Department, sought to explore how to encourage increased residential occupancy in rural towns and villages and how to address the issue of vacant properties
An independent report on the pilot, published last year, highlighted the value of developing a shared vision or masterplan for individual towns. This was as part of the process to counteract vacancy and dereliction, and to make these town centres more attractive places in which to live. The importance of such plans is also being emphasised in discussions on the Town Centre First approach.
An additional €2 million has been allocated, as part of the expanded Town and Village Renewal Scheme, to underpin the preparation of such masterplans and to guide the strategic development of rural towns and villages.
I anticipate that individual masterplans will include actions tailored to address the vacancy and town centre living issues specific to the towns in question. These will be developed in collaboration between the local government sector, local community organisations, business interests, residents, and other stakeholders.
The approach to delivering these plans has been discussed with the local government sector and is being informed by, and aligned with, the outcome of the forthcoming Town Centre First Policy. The details of the €2 million funding package is currently being finalised in line with the finalisation of the Town Centre First Policy.
33. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the measures being taken to ensure that Leader funding will be maintained at the current level as part of Ireland’s Common Agriculture Policy Strategic Plan. [50157/21]
View answerThe LEADER programme is a key intervention implemented by my Department which will help to underpin the Government's rural development goals as outlined in Our Rural Future.
The programme is co-funded by the EU under Pillar II the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is Ireland's Managing Authority for the CAP and thus has lead responsibility for negotiations of the new CAP which is to be introduced from 2023. My officials are engaging extensively with DAFM on the new LEADER programme, including the funding element, to form part of the new CAP Strategic Plan .
It is important to me to maintain a significant level of funding for the LEADER Programme, to ensure it can continue to deliver for rural Ireland. In this regard, I secured an additional €70 million in funding for a Transitional LEADER Programme, which will cover the period to the end of 2022 to ensure that there was no gap between the end of the current Programme and start of the next one.
The allocations of funding across all the new CAP schemes are currently being finalised, and my Department is in ongoing communication with DAFM in relation to this process. It is expected that indicative scheme allocations, including for the next LEADER Programme, will be announced shortly and will form the basis for the next stage of stakeholder consultation.
37. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the capital scheme for the rejuvenation of community centres as announced in the National Development Plan will be available to each local authority; the total sum of the scheme’s allocation; when applications for the scheme will open; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50109/21]
View answerUnder the National Development Plan, the Department of Rural and Community Development will see an increase in its overall funding. Some of this increase will be used to establish a new funding scheme for community centres.
This is consistent with the Programme for Government commitment to establishing a small capital grants scheme for the maintenance, improvement and upkeep of community centres.
The details of this capital scheme are currently being developed within my Department. It is anticipated that the new scheme will be launched in early 2022 and further details will be announced in due course.
38. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of supports provided to community-based organisations in counties Louth and Meath that provide vital services such as cancer care transport services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50155/21]
View answerThe CLÁR Programme provides funding under a number of different Measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population over a defined period. My Department reviews the type of initiatives to be funded under the Programme each year.
I launched the CLÁR 2021 Programme in March. Measure 3 of this year's programme provided support for Community Wellbeing Supports, including a sub-Measure for Mobility and Cancer Care Transport vehicles.
Funding for mobility and cancer care transport vehicles was first introduced under the CLÁR programme in 2018 and since then funding of over €4.3 million has been approved for almost 90 projects. On 2nd September, I approved funding of over €105,000 for two projects in Co Meath under this Measure. This involved €55,654 for the Irish Wheelchair Association and €50,000 in respect of the Moylagh JFK 50 Mile Challenge. No applications were received in 2021 under this Measure from any organisations in County Louth.
The full list of successful CLÁR 2021 projects and the successful projects from previous years are available on my Department's website at www.gov.ie/drcd.
39. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the work of the interdepartmental committee for the development of the islands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50161/21]
View answer61. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the new policy for the islands; when she expects to publish the policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50135/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 61 together.
Work is continuing on the development of the new Islands Policy. My Department is currently engaging bilaterally with relevant Government Departments and Agencies to discuss the issues raised by island communities through the public consultation process and to assess how they might be addressed. It is hoped that this element of the process will conclude shortly.
It is expected that the Interdepartmental Committee will convene again in the coming weeks to review progress and to continue its work in overseeing the development of the policy.
Whilst work has begun on preparing an initial draft of the policy, the draft is still at an early stage of development. It was initially envisaged that the new Islands Policy would be published this year, however I am conscious that getting the policy right is the real priority and this will be the guiding principle going forward. At the most recent bilateral meeting with the representative group for the islands, Comhdháil Oileán na hÉireann, members of that group stressed this point also. I expect the policy will be published during 2022.
40. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when she expects to announce the next round of allocations from the rural regeneration development fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49404/21]
View answer64. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department plans to make funding available under the rural regeneration development fund for the installation of municipal waste water treatment plants in towns and villages in which no such services exist and development cannot progress; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49401/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 64 together.
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns and villages and rural areas across Ireland. To date, 164 projects have been approved for funding of €252m for projects costing over €343m.
A guidance document detailing the Fund's objectives is issued before each call for applications. Subject to those objectives, applicants can subject proposals for projects which meet the needs of a particular town, village or area. In that regard, projects allocated funding to date range across sectors, including town and village regeneration, enterprise development, tourism development, digital and co-working initiatives, libraries, arts and cultural facilities and sports and recreation facilities. Projects are often a combination of a number of these elements.
It would be open to a local authority or other State-funded body eligible under the rules of the Fund to make an application in relation to a wastewater treatment project if that were identified as a priority.
The third call for Category 2 applications - relating to funding sought to develop capital projects to full readiness - closed on the 30th July 2021. My Department received 53 applications to this call.
The application process for the Fund is competitive in nature. Applications are currently being 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 will prepare a report setting out recommended projects and my role as Minister will be to consider that report and make final decisions in relation to the allocation of funding. I expect to announce the successful projects before the end of the year.
