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Tuesday, 5 Apr 2022

Written Answers Nos. 83-101

Refugee Resettlement Programme

Questions (83)

Paul Donnelly

Question:

83. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her views on the use of community centres to accommodate Ukrainian refugees and the impact that this will have on service users and on communities at large; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17921/22]

View answer

Written answers

My Department is contributing to the effort by linking with key stakeholders at community level, providing information, assisting the co-ordination of supports through the community sector, and enabling flexibility in programme delivery to shift focus on the Ukraine response.

My Department also held a webinar recently with relevant stakeholders and organisations involved in the Ukraine response. The aim of the webinar was to provide as much information as possible to stakeholders on the national response and encourage and support co-ordination of responses being provided by stakeholders, while also seeking to ensure complementarity with relevant national and local government initiatives and provide central Department contact points for issues and queries.

New Community Response Fora are also being repurposed in each local authority area. These will enable all those involved at a local level to work together to support the integration of Ukrainian refugees. The role of each Forum will be to coordinate the community-led response in the provision of assistance and support to Ukrainian refugees as they are accommodated around the country.

Ukrainian arrivals in to the country who are seeking accommodation are being accommodated through the International Protection Accommodation Service. My Department will continue to liaise with them and offer any assistance we can – this is a fluid situation which will require a flexible approach.

The response to COVID-19 showed what we can achieve by working together: national government, local government, and community, voluntary and local development sectors. My Department is coordinating with all our stakeholders, including Local Development Companies, LCDCs, Volunteer Centres, Community Volunteers, and Public Participation Networks, to maximise the effectiveness of the response.

Offshore Islands

Questions (84)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

84. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 5 of 17 February 2022, the status of the new policy for the islands; if the draft policy has been finalised to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17840/22]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy will be aware, the Government is committed to publishing a 10 year policy on island development with associated three year action plans. Work on the policy is underway and my Department has now completed bilateral meetings with all relevant Government Departments. These bilateral meetings have provided an opportunity for detailed discussion of the issues raised by island communities and for Departments to assess how they might help address the various issues raised.

A number of islands have requested that a consultation meeting be held in person on the island in order for the community to have an opportunity to have an input into the policy. Due to Covid-19 it was not possible for officials to visit islands and these islands did not wish to engage with on-line meetings. The Department has now agreed to these meetings and I understand that they will be held after Easter.

At the most recent meeting of the Interdepartmental Committee for the Islands, participating Departments reviewed progress on the policy development and agreed the next steps to be taken. It was agreed that the various Departments would submit a list of action points that they could undertake to further enhance the future development and sustainability of communities on our offshore islands.

Work has begun on an initial draft of the policy document and I understand that, based on the development work to date, a draft is expected to be ready for my consideration by the middle of this year.

Regeneration Projects

Questions (85)

Paul McAuliffe

Question:

85. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the Government measures to address dereliction in rural towns and the creation of work hubs; and if these schemes are available to urban villages such as those in Dublin city. [17842/22]

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Written answers

The Government recently published Town Centre First - A Policy Approach for Irish Towns. This represents a whole of Government policy and aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres. It contains 33 actions, which will give our towns the tools and resources required to become viable, vibrant and attractive places to live, work, and socialise.

The policy is underpinned by significant levels of public investment spread across major Government schemes such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), Croí Conaithe (Towns) Fund and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS).

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme prioritises the renovation of derelict and vacant buildings in our rural towns and villages, with a view to bringing these buildings back into use as remote working hubs, multi-purpose community spaces, and/or for residential occupancy. I increased the maximum grant available through the Scheme last year to €500,000 and I will be announcing the details of the 2022 scheme shortly.

The RRDF is also now open for applications until the 29th April 2022 for Category One projects i.e. those that have full planning and other consents in place and are ready to commence at the date of application. This call has a strong focus on supporting projects that will assist in revitalising our rural towns and villages through planned, sustainable regeneration and development including addressing vacancy and the re-use of heritage and other existing buildings.

Neither of these scheme funds projects located in metropolitan areas. Supports for such areas are available through the URDF operated by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Telecommunications Services

Questions (86, 89)

Colm Burke

Question:

86. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the work that has been carried out to date by the mobile phone and broadband task force, which was reconvened in December 2021; if the task force has met in 2022; if not, when the next meeting is scheduled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17938/22]

View answer

Kieran O'Donnell

Question:

89. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if an update will be provided on the work of the mobile phone and broadband task force, which was re-established in December 2021; the action plan of the task force.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17899/22]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 89 together.

In December 2021, Minister of State Smyth and I reconvened the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce. We set out our priorities for the Taskforce in 2022 and beyond, and we made it clear that the new Taskforce will be expected to tackle some of the more complex and longer-term issues that are standing in the way of better mobile and fixed connectivity.

On foot of that meeting, Minister of State Smyth and I tasked our officials with engaging with all Taskforce members bilaterally to produce a proposed work programme for 2022, to include multi-year actions. These actions will, by their nature, require multiple bodies to work together in cooperation in order to resolve them.

To date, senior officials from our two departments have met with 11 organisations, including representatives of industry, local and central government. These meetings have resulted in a draft work programme that draws together multiple members working on shared actions to deliver real, lasting impacts on the way we roll-out communications infrastructure in Ireland.

The date for the next meeting of the Taskforce has been provisionally set for the end of April. At this meeting we will finalise the terms of reference and work programme for the Taskforce. A key outcome of the meeting will also the assigning the bodies that will take lead role responsibility, or a supporting role, for each of the work programmes actions.

Regeneration Projects

Questions (87)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

87. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the locations in Cork that will benefit from the town centre first plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17889/22]

View answer

Written answers

The Government recently published Town Centre First - A Policy Approach for Irish Towns. This publication represents a major new policy that aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres.

The policy contains 33 actions which will give our towns the tools and resources they need to become more viable and attractive places in which to live, work, socialise and run a business. It will support Town Teams to develop their own Town Centre First Plans to chart the future direction of their towns and to address issues of vacancy and dereliction. Some 26 towns have already been allocated funding of €100,000 to produce their Town Centre First Plans, including Skibbereen in Cork. Additional towns in Cork and across the country will be supported to also develop plans as the policy is rolled out.

The implementation of the actions in these plans will be underpinned by significant levels of public investment spread across major Government schemes such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), the Croí Conaithe (Towns) Fund and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. This will include funding through these schemes to address the regeneration of vacant and derelict buildings as identified in the Town Centre First plans.

The local Town Team drawn from local community and business representatives will work with local stakeholders to progress drafting of the plans and to identify challenges, actions and integrated responses across a number of key themes

The policy also includes funding for new Town Regeneration Officers, who will support Town Teams and local stakeholders to implement Town Centre First, tackle vacancy and dereliction challenges, and bring vibrancy back into our town centres.

Community Development Projects

Questions (88)

Patrick Costello

Question:

88. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department has engaged with Dublin City Council on the reconstruction of a community centre (details supplied); and if her Department will provide funding for this project. [17890/22]

View answer

Written answers

My Department has not had an approach from Dublin City Council in relation to the reconstruction of a community centre in the area mentioned by the Deputy, although I am informed that there were meetings between the residents and Dublin City Council in the past on the matter.

The Community Centres Investment Fund recently announced by Minister Humphreys will be launched shortly. This fund will support community groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with the upgrade and development of their existing community centre facilities. This fund is not intended for the construction of new buildings.

My Department also runs a number of smaller capital schemes such as the Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) which provides small grants to enhance facilities in disadvantaged areas. Funding is allocated by my Department to each Local Authority area. Further details of the programme can be found on my Department's website at www.gov.ie/drcd.

The Urban Regeneration fund, covering areas with larger populations, is available within the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and further details are available from that Department.

Question No. 89 answered with Question No. 86.

Departmental Budgets

Questions (90)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

90. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the allocated budget for her Department in each of the years since 2017; and the actual expenditure of her Department in each of the years since 2017, in tabular form. [17982/22]

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Written answers

The allocated gross budget and actual gross expenditure for the Department is provided below in tabular format for each of the years since 2017.

While the Department of Rural and Community Development was established in July 2017, the figures for 2017 reflect the full budget and expenditure for that year, for the functions transferred at that time.

It is also worth noting that since the establishment of the Department in 2017, additional functions have transferred under its remit. Notably, the Community Services Programme transferred in 2018 and the Islands function transferred in 2020. A full year of budget and expenditure is reflected in the below table for those functions for those years onwards.

The table shows where unspent capital appropriations in certain years were added to the estimate in the following year to produce the total budget available, as allowed for under Section 91 of the Finance Act 2004. This is most notable for 2021 and 2022 where the impact of COVID-19 on activity within the construction sector was a significant factor in the level of unspent capital funding brought forward into those years. It is also important to note that the 2020 allocation included €37 million in once off funding for COVID-19 Supports, with a further €10 million in once off funding provided in 2021 for that purpose.

The Department’s gross allocation has increased substantially from €163 million in 2017 to €379 million in 2022, which has allowed greatly increased support for communities across Ireland, in both urban and rural settings.

(€, 000)

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

Estimate (Gross)

162,628

231,532

291,202

374,832

351,027

378,548

Unspent capital funding brought forward from previous year

-

7,700

-

-

13,180

16,860

Total budget (i.e. estimate plus unspent capital funding brought forward from previous year)

162,628

239,232

291,202

374,832

364,207

395,408

Expenditure at year end (Gross)

136,004

237,483

290,683

359,418

344,450

n/a

Community Development Projects

Questions (91)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

Question:

91. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the steps that have been taken by her Department to ensure there is cross-departmental collaboration, so that new community-led projects can work efficiently to achieve the ambition of communities, particularly in coastal and island communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18046/22]

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Written answers

Whole-of-government collaboration requires us all to work together across our organisations to develop better co-ordinated public services and policy which enables delivery of the Programme for Government. This is a key element not just of national policies, such as the National Planning Framework, but also in the achievement of sectoral strategies, for example the rural development policy, Our Rural Future and Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities, a five-year strategy to support the community and voluntary sector.

Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) have been established in all local authority areas to bring about a more integrated approach to local and community development including on our islands and in our coastal areas. They provide a local forum where strategic, multi-agency approaches are implemented. LCDCs bring together representatives from the community, local government, State agencies and local development bodies to develop and agree coordinated responses to locally agreed priorities. Local Economic and Community Plans are used by LCDCs to facilitate a more joined-up approach. These plans are being implemented across the country with local authorities and LCDCs now positioned as key drivers of local economic and community development.

It is important that we continue to support the LCDC structures as the primary vehicle for collaboration between all national public service providers at local level. For example, LCDCs and the Local Economic and Community Plans (LECP) provide a governance, planning and evidence based framework for the co-ordination and management of local funding including EU supported community-led local development funding to 2027. The Public Participation Network (PPN) also augments the LCDC and Local Authority supports for community led projects around the country.

In relation to energy generation projects, the Climate Action Plan 2021 sets a clear goal of having at least 500 MW renewables delivered through local community-based projects. These projects will be delivered through the dedicated Community category in the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) as well as through the forthcoming Microgeneration & Small-Scale Generation schemes. My colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, through the SEAI, has provided initial seed funding of €200k to support the establishment of the Community Enabling Framework under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS). A further €2m in capital funding has been allocated to support the development of Community projects in 2022. The funding allocation this year will allow SEAI to rollout a trusted advisory service and enabling grants that are vital supports to enable the growth of the nascent community renewable electricity generation sector.

In addition to these measures, through Ireland’s participation in the Clean Energy for EU Islands initiative, our rural island communities can be part of the clean energy transition of the more than 2,200 inhabited European islands. We also currently have 12 of Ireland’s offshore islands as member communities across the Sustainable Energy Communities Network.

Foreshore Issues

Questions (92)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

92. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if an update will be provided on the plans her Department has to address problems with the sandblocks at Céibh an Chóra, Inis Meáin, which are known to interfere with the freight service, especially during summer months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18036/22]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy is aware, Galway County Council is the responsible authority for the maintenance and development of infrastructure on the Aran islands, including Céibh an Chóra in Inis Meáin.

Galway County Council has been in contact with my Department and a meeting was held between officials from my Department and Galway County Council on 29 March 2022 to discuss various issues, including the issue the Deputy has highlighted.

In order to remove any material from the area around the pier, Galway County Council need to obtain a foreshore licence. They have been advised that a number of marine studies will need to be carried out as part of the licence application for dredging at the site.

I understand that Galway County Council will now undertake the required procurement process for these studies before making an application for funding to the Department.

Rural Schemes

Questions (93)

Joe Carey

Question:

93. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will report on her discussions regarding a proposal put forward by this Deputy for a reformed and revamped local improvement scheme involving funding from her Department, the Department of Transport and local authorities; the investment proposed by both Departments; when the scheme will be launched and open for applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17917/22]

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Written answers

As part of Our Rural Future, the Government is committed to ensuring that the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) is funded into the future. The LIS supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. The scheme makes an important contribution to connectivity in rural Ireland.

The Scheme was reintroduced in 2017 following a number of years with no dedicated funding. Since then, my Department has allocated €80 million towards improvement works on over 3,000 non-public roads and lanes. These works have benefited over 13,300 landowners and residents in these rural areas.

I launched the 2021 Scheme with an initial budget of €10.5 million and I allocated additional funding last year from savings within my Department's vote, effectively doubling investment to bring the total expended under the Scheme in 2021 to €21 million.

I was pleased, as part of Budget 2022, to announce an increase in the base funding for LIS from €10.5 million to €11 million this year. I announced details of the 2022 Local Improvement Scheme earlier today, including the allocations to each individual county.

I have also recently written again to my colleague, Minister Eamon Ryan, T.D., to explore whether funding may be available from the Department of Transport to support the scheme. I believe a cross-Government approach might reap dividends in dealing with the backlog of applications on hand and I will continue to keep all options open in this regard.

Rural Schemes

Questions (94)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

94. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the level of funding drawn down for local improvement schemes in County Cork for 2021; if all funding allocated to Cork County Council under the scheme for 2021 was drawn down; if not, if these moneys will be available to draw down as additional to the 2022 allocation to Cork County Council; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17926/22]

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Written answers

As part of Our Rural Future, the Government is committed to ensuring that the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) is funded into the future. The LIS supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. The scheme makes an important contribution to connectivity in rural Ireland.

I launched the 2021 scheme with an initial budget of €10.5 million. Cork was allocated €920,000, primarily based on the physical area of the County. This amount represented the maximum level of funding allocated to any individual county.

I sourced additional funding last year from savings within my Department's vote, effectively doubling investment to bring the total for 2021 to €21 million. This additional funding was allocated based on each local authority's view as to their capacity to deliver improvement works by year-end.

Cork County Council submitted a request for funding of €700,000 under this second tranche, which was over-subscribed. It was determined each county would be allocated just over 70% of the amount requested. As a result, Cork County Council was awarded €492,738 in this second tranche. Thus, last year the total allocation to Cork amounted to €1,412,738

Local authorities were advised that their 2022 allocation would be impacted by any shortfall in delivery of funding in 2021. The total funding utilised for the delivery of roads in Cork in 2021 was €1,315,172, leading to a shortfall of €97,566.

My Department permitted Cork County Council to drawdown €95,000 of this shortfall in 2021 and to carry it over to spend on roads in 2022. An equivalent amount was then deducted from their allocation in 2022.

I announced earlier today details of an €11 million allocation for LIS in 2022. The allocation for Cork in 2022, excluding the funding carried over from 2021, is €879,099.

Harbours and Piers

Questions (95)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

95. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 12 of 17 February 2022, the status of the development of the pier on Inis Oírr; the engagement that her Department has had with Galway County Council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to date in 2022 in relation to moving forward with the development of the pier; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17841/22]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy is aware, Galway County Council is the responsible authority for the maintenance and development of infrastructure on the Aran islands.

The development of the pier on Inis Oírr is listed amongst the strategic objectives set out in Project Ireland 2040. A steering committee consisting of representatives from my Department, Galway County Council and the Consulting Engineers has been meeting generally every two weeks to monitor progress.

The Department has approved the business case for the development of the pier and Galway County Council is now in the process of resolving a number of pre-construction issues prior to issuing a request for tenders for the development. These issues include: preparing CPO applications, development of bye-laws for the regulation of the pier and the application for a foreshore licence.

The Council has published a draft of the bye-laws and has collated submissions received from the public and is currently preparing a report based on those submissions. The CPO applications are also being finalised.

It is the Sponsoring Agency, Galway County Council in this case, rather than my Department, that engages with the Foreshore Unit in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

I understand that following the application for a foreshore licence and consultation with the Foreshore Unit, Galway County Council is undertaking a gap analysis study to ascertain the additional information needed from the original environmental reports that were submitted a number of years ago and to bring those reports up to current requirements. It is estimated that this will be completed in early May.

Departmental Funding

Questions (96)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

96. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the forthcoming timelines for the funding streams under her remit, specifically the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, CLÁR, town and village and other funds that may be forthcoming; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17920/22]

View answer

Written answers

My Department recently published opening and closing dates, which are decided upon for DRCD investment programmes for 2022, at the following link assets.gov.ie/218465/a39f6b0f-38ef-4917-8c1a-4e17e4a3c676.pdf.

In addition:

- The proposed PEACE PLUS Programme 2021-2027 is awaiting approval by the EU Commission. It is anticipated that the programme will be launched during 2022 and managed by the Special EU Programmes body, with a total value of over €1 billion.

- A call for proposals to support the continued roll-out of the My Open Library service is expected to issue from my Department to local authorities in Quarter 2 2022.

- LEADER is a multi-annual programme which is delivered through 29 Local Action Groups (LAGs) around the country. The Transitional LEADER Programme came into effect from 1 April 2021 and will run to the end of 2022.

- The Community Centres Investment Fund is now scheduled to open this month (April).

Visit www.gov.ie/drcd for further information on DRCD programme opening dates, as they become available.

Rural Schemes

Questions (97)

Brendan Smith

Question:

97. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the next Leader programme will become operational; the total funding in place for the programme; the funding that will be allocated for the programme in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17950/22]

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Written answers

The LEADER Programme is one of the key interventions of Our Rural Future, the Government’s Policy for rural development launched last year.

An indicative budget of €180 million is allocated for the LEADER programme for the period 2023-2027. With the €70 million already provided for 2021 and 2022 under the Transitional LEADER Programme, a total of €250 million will be made available for the 2021 - 2027 period, thus maintaining the level of funding provided for the 2014-2020 programming period.

The draft CAP Strategic Plan, which includes LEADER, was submitted to the EU Commission by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine at the end of December 2021. This is in line with the timelines set by the EU Commission.

The process of negotiating and agreeing the plan with the EU Commission has thus commenced. The timeline for implementation of the new LEADER Programme is closely linked to this process.

Accordingly, my officials will continue to work closely with colleagues from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine and the EU Commission over the coming months with a view to obtaining approval for the CAP Strategic Plan, as a matter of priority.

Preparations for the design and delivery of the next LEADER programme from 2023-2027 are underway and my officials are also engaging with stakeholders in this regard. Decisions relating to all aspects of the programme including the distribution of funding at county level, will form part of the new programme design phase.

The ongoing engagement and consultation combined with the funding allocation ensures that the LEADER programme from 2023 will continue to support and further develop our rural communities and businesses.

Refugee Resettlement Programme

Questions (98, 111, 119, 125)

Steven Matthews

Question:

98. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the steps that she is taking to ensure Ukrainian citizens fleeing conflict who are accommodated in rural areas have access to vital services to support their integration into the community (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17934/22]

View answer

Brian Leddin

Question:

111. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the steps that have been taken to help support the integration of Ukrainian refugees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17957/22]

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Brian Leddin

Question:

119. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her views on the best way that her Department can support Ukrainian refugees, particularly in relation to access to local services and mobility; the measures that have already been taken by her Department in relation to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17958/22]

View answer

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

Question:

125. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the position regarding the measures taken by her Department to support the community integration of persons fleeing from Ukraine as a result of the Russian invasion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18045/22]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 98, 111, 119 and 125 together.

As the Deputies will be aware, Government is working to ensure that local capacity, resources and knowledge are brought to bear on the overall humanitarian response to people fleeing Ukraine and seeking protection in Ireland.

My Department is contributing to the effort by linking with key stakeholders at community level, providing information, assisting the co-ordination of supports through the community sector, and enabling flexibility in programme delivery to shift focus on the Ukraine response. In this regard, my Department has offered every flexibility to Local Development Companies, freeing around 600 Community Development Workers to help support arrivals from Ukraine into their locality. In addition, organisations supported under the Community Services Programme can include Ukrainian arrivals in the target groups for their services. In some cases, exceptional additional funding for staff resources is being provided by my Department to organisations providing volunteer support in frontline reception hubs.

My Department has committed to meeting regularly with key national stakeholders from the Community and Voluntary sector and recently hosted an information webinar attended by over 160 participants from organisations involved in the Ukraine response effort. The webinar provided information, disseminated key messages and encouraged communication and co-ordination.

I recognise that the capacity, willingness and expertise exists at local level to co-ordinate responses, signpost services, and link voluntary and statutory efforts. Huge efforts were made by volunteers during the pandemic, and dedicated volunteers across the country are already working again to help people from Ukraine arriving in Ireland. Government is working to ensure that local capacity, resources and knowledge are brought to bear on the overall humanitarian response and will work closely with Local Authorities to ensure a well-co-ordinated and seamless approach.

Building on structures developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Community Response Fora are being repurposed in each local authority area. The role of each Forum will be to coordinate the community-led response in the provision of assistance and support to Ukrainian refugees as they are accommodated around the country.

In this regard, my Department, together with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, has prepared a Community Response Framework to guide that work. It sets out a national template for arrangements to be put in place in each area to enable all involved at a local level to work together to support the integration of Ukrainian refugees to our communities, under the stewardship of the local authorities.

Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) are strategically well-placed to assist with the local responses, linking in with state bodies represented on the LCDCs and with other local authority services and initiatives. In this regard, both the Chair and the Chief Officer of the LCDC are members of the relevant Community Response Forum.

Public Participation Networks (PPNs) in many local authority areas are serving as networking and information hubs for community and local member groups in their area. PPNs are providing information and resources on how people can assist or donate aid, and coordinating information from those responding to the crisis.

Our volunteer support programme, which includes Volunteer Ireland and the network of volunteer centres, is heavily engaged in sourcing volunteers to address the many requests for specific volunteer roles emerging across the country. These include reception centres, provision of basic supplies, integration services, access to information, etc. The Community Volunteers pilot programme is also providing a way for local communities to offer support to those in need. Developed based on lessons learned about volunteering during COVID-19, the programme is funded by my Department, coordinated by Volunteer Ireland and Volunteer Centres, and supported by the Local Authority in each area.

The response to COVID-19 showed what we can achieve by working together: national government, local government, and community, voluntary and local development sectors. My Department is coordinating with all our stakeholders, including LCDCs, Volunteer Centres, Community Volunteers, and Public Participation Networks, to maximise the effectiveness of the response.

Local Development Companies

Questions (99)

Thomas Gould

Question:

99. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to a statement by An Taoiseach in November 2021 (details supplied), if she will provide an update on the proposed actions arising from this work; her plans to have such actions implemented; and if she will provide an update of the first meeting of the strategic implementation group her Department is supplying to the secretariat. [17932/22]

View answer

Written answers

My Department supports Local Development Companies (sometimes referred to as 'area partnerships') via SICAP, the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme.

SICAP aims to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion and equality by supporting communities and individuals using community development approaches, engagement and collaboration. SICAP actions are delivered by 46 local development companies nationwide.

It should be noted that the first meeting of the Strategic Implementation Group (4) of Reducing Harm and Supporting Recovery took place on the 25th of February. This group comprises sectoral, agency and Departmental officials. This introductory meeting was an information sharing exercise, identifying the members' areas of work and scoping relevant actions. These actions will be built upon and an implementation plan will be produced. A further three meetings are scheduled for later this year.

Local and regional drug and alcohol task forces fall under the remit of the Department of Health.

Parking Provision

Questions (100)

Brian Stanley

Question:

100. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding that is currently available for carpark facilities at amenities in rural areas such as a facility (details supplied) in County Laois. [17930/22]

View answer

Written answers

My Department provides a wide range of investment programmes to support the development of rural areas, including through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, the LEADER Programme, the Town & Village Renewal Scheme, the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme and the CLÁR programme. I would encourage potential applicants to engage with their local authority or LEADER Local Action Group to discuss the investment programme that is most suitable to their needs.

As regards the specific project referred to by the Deputy, the 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. Applications are currently being accepted via local authorities for funding up to a maximum of €50,000 for community facilities, including car parking, under Measure 1 of the CLÁR programme. However, I understand that the location referred to by the Deputy may not be located in a CLÁR area.

The 2022 Outdoor Recreation Scheme was launched on 18th February last and provides funding to support access to outdoor infrastructure. Funding for car park access may be considered under that scheme where it improves access to recreational infrastructure and where it is part of the wider development of the linked outdoor amenity.

Funding may also be available through the LEADER Programme for the type of project referred to by the Deputy. LEADER is a multi-annual programme which is delivered through 29 Local Action Groups (LAGs) around the country.

Support under the LEADER programme is provided under a broad range of themes, including Economic Development, Enterprise Development and Job Creation. This theme focuses on driving continued local economic development, including diversification of the rural economy, and the creation of employment opportunities for the local community.

In order for a project to be eligible for LEADER funding, it must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved Local Development Strategy for the relevant LEADER area, and it must comply with the Operating Rules and EU Regulations in place for the programme. Prospective applicants should, in the first instance, contact their relevant LAG, through its Implementing Partner, to discuss the eligibility of the project and the funding that may be available. The list of all Local Action Groups, their Implementing Partners and their contact details, is available on the Gov.ie website at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/c45498-local-action-groups.

Digital Hubs

Questions (101, 958, 964)

David Stanton

Question:

101. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department is exploring the possibility of establishing longer-term agreements between businesses and remote working hubs to enable more structured remote working schedules; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17959/22]

View answer

Charles Flanagan

Question:

958. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department will examine the option of longer-term agreements between businesses and hubs which will allow more structured remote working; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18023/22]

View answer

Colm Burke

Question:

964. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department is exploring the possibility of longer-term agreements between businesses and hubs to enable more structured remote working, particularly in rural communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18079/22]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 101, 958 and 964 together.

The National Hub Network currently comprises 223 remote and co-working facilities across the State. These facilities have been onboarded to connectedhubs.ie, the shared online platform that handles bookings and payments for member hubs and their users.

It is expected that, in time, the National Hub Network and the connectedhubs.ie platform will include more than 400 facilities.

I have been clear throughout my tenure as Minister for Rural and Community Development that balanced regional development, sustainable and thriving communities, and indeed the wider national economy will all benefit from workers and employers embracing the remote working revolution.

At this stage of the development of the hub sector, particularly in rural areas, there is still a strong focus on the individual remote worker. Pricing plans are constructed with affordability for the worker in mind and bookings are, in general, made by the individual.

However, and as the Deputy will be aware, there are significant opportunities for employers of all sizes to leverage the National Hub Network directly. More workers than ever are expressing a preference for remote work and more employers, noting the strong professional performance of so many remote workers, see their own interests reflected in the those of their employees.

The connectedhubs.ie team have for some time been developing a corporate service to engage with and support corporate clients interested in using our nationwide network to accommodate their employees, but also to gain access to the vast pool of talent that Ireland has to offer, whether those talented people live in our cities, towns, villages or rural parishes.

I will monitor the development of the corporate service with interest, as I believe this represents another great step forward for the National hub Network.

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