Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2021
1264. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding that is available to transition year groups in rural communities with regard to projects that support sustainability in their local area in County Roscommon particularly funding sources which are immediately available or currently open for applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53129/21]
View answerSupporting the development of resilient and sustainable communities is at the heart of my Department's mission and, as part of that, we are working with local communities to help Ireland's transition to a low carbon, sustainable and climate resilient society through the wide range of programmes, supports and initiatives we deliver.
While we do not provide direct funding to transition year groups in rural communities at present, my Department is increasing awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals through the Tidy Towns Competition with the alignment of categories in the 2021 Tidy Towns Competition to the Sustainable Development Goals, including those related to Climate Action.
My Department also provides relevant supports through the Dormant Accounts Fund, through the Social Enterprise and Social Innovation Fund measures, and the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme. Grants to applicants have included those for providing home insulation services, reducing our food waste, sustainable energy actions, bee-keeping and training in thermal insulation installation.
Additionally, programmes such as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme support the diversification of the rural economy and the effective use of communities' areas of natural heritage, creating employment opportunities associated with local tourism projects such as Greenways and Blueways and through funding for enterprise hubs and other projects.
My Department will continue to keep each of the schemes and programmes we administer under review, to ensure they complement the overall objectives of sustainability.
