Written Answers Nos. 413-416
413. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when a company (details supplied) that is in receipt of funding under the social enterprise small capital grants scheme 2021 will receive its designated funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13636/22]
View answerSocial Enterprises are businesses for social good which operate across a wide range of sectors, from social services to the circular economy. They are businesses which trade on an ongoing basis, but any profits are reinvested to support the core social or environmental purpose. The National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland (2019 – 2022) aims to develop social enterprises both in terms of scale and impact.
The Dormant Accounts Funded Social Enterprise Capital Grants Pilot Scheme is one of a number of schemes developed by my Department in 2021 that are funding social enterprises directly, and it supports one of the key policy commitments in the National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland – “Growing and Strengthening Social Enterprise”.
Grants under the scheme will enable social enterprises to cover small capital expenditure such as minor repairs, upgrades or additional equipment to help them to deliver their services and achieve their social, environmental or economic objectives.
The Social Enterprise Capital Grants Scheme is being administered on behalf of my Department by the network of 31 Local Community Development Committee’s (LCDCs) nationwide.
My officials have been in contact with the LCDC in South Dublin that is administering the grant of €15,000 to ACE Enterprise Park. I understand that,all the Social Enterprise Capital Grants are currently being processed by the LCDC and payments under the scheme are expected to be made by the end of March 2022. I also understand that the LCDC will be in touch with each of the awardees under the scheme in the coming days to update them on their progress.
414. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans for an e-hub in Athea, County Limerick; the way that the community could arrange for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13663/22]
View answerOur Rural Future, Ireland’s Rural Development Policy 2021-2025, recognises the potential of remote working hubs as key economic assets for our rural towns and villages. Notwithstanding the clear benefits to individuals and families in terms of quality of life indicators, remote working from hubs will also support local economies, reduce carbon emissions and may arrest or reverse the depopulation of certain areas.
Last May I launched the National Connected Hubs network together with the connectedhubs.ie platform. The platform offers a suite of booking and hub management applications to members of the network. There are currently 216 hubs live on the platform, with this number increasing on an ongoing basis. Twelve of these hubs are located in County Limerick, while a further 12 hubs throughout County Limerick have been mapped for invitation to join the network.
Details for the onboarded hub facilities can be obtained via the Connected hubs platform, www.connectedhubs.ie.
My Department also continues to fund the establishment and development of remote working hubs under a number of funding streams. The establishment of new hubs is funded under schemes such as the Rural Regeneration Development Fund, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and LEADER. Proposals for new hubs are brought forward via bodies such as local authorities and LEADER Local Action Groups for consideration under the schemes funded by my Department. For example, I recently announced funding of €18.5m under the 2021 Town and Village Renewal Scheme for a range of projects including a number of remote working hub projects. It is expected that the 2022 Town and Village Renewal Scheme will be open for applications in the coming weeks. Similarly there is currently a Category 1 Call open under the Rural Regeneration Development Fund, with a Category 2 Call expected later this year.
The development of a National Hubs Network is a key commitment in Our Rural Future and I am committed to continuing my Department's support for the ongoing development of a comprehensive and integrated network of remote working hubs in recognition of the vital role that they can play in our post-Covid recovery.
415. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail an mbeadh sí sásta i bprionsabal deontas a chur ar fáil ó chistí oileánda na Roinne le haghaidh halla scoile ar oileán amach ón gcósta ó tharla go bhfuil ráite ag an Aire Oideachais nach bhfuil aon mhaoiniú ag a Roinn do thionscadail dá leithéid faoi láthair; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [13685/22]
View answerIs iad an tAonad Pleanála agus Tógála sa Roinn Oideachais atá freagrach as tógáil nó athchóiriú foirgnimh scoile, bíodh siad ar oileáin nó ar an mhórthír. Ní bheadh foirgnimh scoile cáilithe do mhaoiniú faoi aon scéim a riarann mo Roinn.
416. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the response of her Department to the Ukrainian war crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13729/22]
View answerThe response to the plight of the Ukrainian people must be an EU and global one and Ireland has its part to play on a cross departmental basis. We have already lifted Visa requirements to allow Ukrainian people who want to seek safety here to do so as quickly and easily as possible. The EU has imposed three packages of unprecedented sanctions against Russia; hitting the web of companies, financial institutions, state institutions and agencies, oligarchs, government members and media interests that surround President Putin.
Given the potential implications for a wide range of Departments, the Department of the Taoiseach has convened interdepartmental meetings to further assess the implications of the activation of a temporary protection measure. The Secretary General of my Department attends these meetings.
My Department continues to offer support to communities across the country through various programmes, and these will also assist the Ukrainian refugees as they arrive in Ireland to seek sanctuary. Included in the range of supports is SICAP, the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme. The current programme began on 1 January 2018 and will run until the end of 2022 with a budget of €190m over the 5 years. SICAP aims to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion and equality. It does this through Programme Implementers, agencies and companies, who work with the most disadvantaged and the hardest to reach in communities.
The Scheme to Support National Organisations, SSNO, in the community and voluntary sector is a key element of the Department's support for the role of the sector in contributing to the development of a strong and vibrant civil society and improving outcomes for those most disadvantaged. A large majority of the organisations under SSNO will work in areas of social inclusion.
The Community Services Programme (CSP) currently supports community based organisations to provide local social, economic and environmental services through a social enterprise model and create employment opportunities for disadvantaged people. It offers financial support to assist with the cost of hiring staff to community companies and co-operatives.
I can assure the Deputy that Ireland, with support of the House, will continue to work as part of the international community and in particular through the European Union and the United Nations, including as members of the Security Council, to bring maximum pressure to bear on Russia and to support the Ukrainian people.
