Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 May 2022
856. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the degree to which she and her Department continue to monitor the requirements of community-based groups throughout County Kildare with a view to offering assistance with particular reference to the post-Covid era; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28217/22]
View answer857. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she expects to be in a position to offer assistance to various voluntary community groups throughout the country in the current year in order to address matters arising from or associated with Covid or other issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28218/22]
View answer858. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the degree to which she expects to be in a position to assist various youth groups throughout County Kildare and the country in general in order to encourage their development and if required, provide financial assistance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28219/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 856 to 858, inclusive, together.
My Department's mission is to support vibrant and sustainable communities across this country, including in Kildare, and in doing so to deliver on a wide range of strategic interventions, funding programmes and policies to support urban and rural communities including youth groups and voluntary and community groups.
Groups or organisations qualify for support schemes or programmes provided by my Department where they meet the requisite eligibility criteria. Funding includes the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), the Community Services Programme, the CLÁR Programme, the Community Enhancement Programme, and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. To date in 2022 my Department has provided over €2.8m in supports to Co. Kildare through various schemes.
The Covid-19 Stability Fund has also provided support over the last 2 years and while this fund has now closed, other funding streams, such as the Community Activities Fund recently announced by my Department and administered through Local Community Development Committees, continue to provide support to community and voluntary organisations.
My Department is also responsible for a number of national policies containing measures to improve the lives of people throughout the country. These include the National Policy on Social Enterprise, and Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities: 5 Year Strategy to Support the Community and Voluntary Sector 2019-2024.
Last year I launched Our Rural Future, a new whole-of-Government rural development policy. The policy is an ambitious blueprint for the social and economic development of rural Ireland over the next five years. It has the potential to have a transformative effect on rural communities and positive impacts on the lives of people living and working in rural areas. The policy is supported by 150 commitments across Government, which will address the challenges facing communities and deliver new opportunities for people living in rural areas.
All my Department’s policies are underpinned by extensive consultation with a wide range of stakeholders including rural and urban stakeholder groups, community groups, young people, women’s groups, Government Departments and State Agencies. This engagement process provides important insights into issues impacting on rural and urban communities, and in identifying areas for response relevant to the work of my Department.
I will continue to collaborate with my Government colleagues and to monitor the issues which impact our urban and rural communities in order to respond to emerging needs.
