Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022
2055. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount spent on consultancy services by her Department in 2021; the reason for each consultancy; and the name of the consultancy in tabular form. [1724/22]
View answerMy Department spent €288,860 on consultancy services in 2021. I have provided the details requested by the Deputy in the table.
|
Name of Consultancy |
Reason for Consultancy |
Amount Spent 2021 |
|
Public Participation Networks Structural Review |
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to review PPNs "to ensure they are fit for purpose for climate action and community development".
In addition PPNs were set up on foot of the 2014 Report of the Working Group on Citizen Engagement with Local Government. Given the length of time since their establishment, a broader review of the PPN structures was considered timely. |
€71,155.50 |
|
Review of the Landscape of Philanthropy in Ireland - Indecon |
The Department of Rural and Community Development identified the development of a National Philanthropy Strategy as part of Goal 4 of the DRCD Statement of Strategy 2021-2023. To assist the development of the proposed National Philanthropy Strategy, Indecon was appointed by the Department to conduct an independent overview examination of the landscape of philanthropic giving in Ireland. |
€78,554.60 |
|
Independent Review of LEADER Delivery Models for the 2014-2020 LEADER Programme |
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to “support a LEADER programme and deliver a Rural Development Programme that is led by independent Local Action Groups and supported by Local Community Development Committees.”
The overall aim of the review exercise is to gauge the effectiveness of the 2014-2020 LEADER programme and explore how the delivery mechanisms for LEADER 2023-2027 programme could be implemented, building upon the partnership approach adopted in the 2014-2020 programme, while having regard to the PfG Commitments and the locally led partnership approach, together with EU regulatory requirements. |
€21,817.14 |
|
Islands Transport: Re-instating the PSO status for the air service to the Aran Islands - North Point Aviation Services |
The Department of Rural and Community Development subsidises air, cargo and ferry services to the off-shore Islands. These services provide reliable, affordable year round mainland connectivity for the Island communities The air service to the Aran Islands is one such service. The PSO status for this route lapsed in 2019 and the Department have engaged professional aviation consultants, Northpoint Aviation Services, in drafting a updated tender document for the new PSO contract. The tender document will be published shortly with the new contract coming into effect in June 2022. |
€5,472.98 |
|
Review of the CLÁR Programme - Research Contract Agreement with Maynooth University |
In 2020 the Department engaged NUI Maynooth to undertake a review of the CLÁR Programme area designations. |
€9,960.42 |
|
Review of the REDZ Scheme |
Venture International Ltd were engaged to review the Pilot Rural Economic Development Zones (REDZ) scheme (funded 2015/6) |
€35,354.25 |
|
Review of the Walks Scheme |
Outdoor Recreation Northern Ireland (ORNI) were engaged to undertake an external review of the Walks Scheme to examine the delivery and strategic development of the Scheme. |
€66,545 |
