Written Answers Nos. 1144-1156
1144. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when decisions will be made on amending the areas which are designated as CLÁR following the review of CLÁR areas nationally that was undertaken in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37167/22]
View answer1145. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will make the defective block issue in Inishowen and other areas in County Donegal as a determining factor in deciding which electoral divisions are designated as her Department considers the review of CLÁR areas nationally undertaken in 2021, given that there is precedent for same given that the original CLÁR included the Cooley peninsula on the basis of contemporaneous serious difficulties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37168/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1144 and 1145 together.
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 depopulation over a defined period.
A review of CLÁR areas nationally was undertaken in 2021 using the 2016 Census of Population data. The review examined the most recent changes in population patterns throughout the country on the basis of 2016 Census data. It also examined the approach to developing the existing CLÁR designations, which is based on 2002 data and it considered how changes in population since then impacted on designations. Many areas will have seen population growth in the relevant period, and indeed the most recent census data published by the Central Statistics Office point to population growth across all counties since 2016. The details of the review are being considered by my Department before any decisions are made in relation to areas which are designated as eligible for CLÁR.
The CLÁR Programme has closed for 2022. In advance of the launch of CLÁR next year I will review the supports under the programme.
1146. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her attention has been drawn to Cork City Council being unable to locate burial records for a person (details supplied); if she will assist in the search; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37756/22]
View answer1147. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her attention has been drawn to Cork City Council being unable to locate burial records for a person (details supplied); if she will assist in the search; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37757/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1146 and 1147 together.
While my Department has legislative responsibility regarding local authority burial grounds, this responsibility does not extend to the management of burial records. This is a matter for each local authority in respect of the cemeteries and burial grounds they provide.
That said, enquiries have been made with Cork City Council, which has indicated that all relevant records regarding the former Bessborough Mother and Baby Home were transferred to the Health Services Executive (HSE) in St Stephen’s Hospital, Glanmire, Co Cork. Further information may be available from that authority in Glanmire.
1148. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she can assist a group (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38050/22]
View answerMy Department's Community Services Programme (CSP) supports over 420 community-based organisations to provide local services through a social enterprise model, by providing an annual contribution of €19,033 for each full-time equivalent (FTE) position being supported, and, where warranted, €32,000 towards the cost of employing a manager.
The CSP contribution is not aligned to the minimum wage and does not meet the full salary cost of supported posts. The contribution must be co-funded by the organisation concerned from other sources, for example, from income received from the public use of their facilities and services.
There are currently over 1,700 FTE positions supported under the CSP. It should be noted that there are a number of CSP supported organisations currently in a position to pay their staff the living wage rate of €12.90 per hour.
An independent review of the CSP was undertaken by Indecon International Economic Consultants, on behalf of my Department, with the final report published in September 2020. Since the publication of the review report, my Department and Pobal, who administer the programme on behalf of my Department, have been working on a restructuring of the programme, in conjunction with a Consultative Group that is representative of stakeholders. As part of this ongoing work, the rates of funding under the scheme are being reviewed.
My Department have recently met on two occasions with the Consultative Group and have provided them with a detailed proposal on a revised funding rate allocation model and proposed new funding rates, followed by a detailed response to the queries raised by the group. The submission received from the organisation, along with all of the feedback received from the Consultative Group will be considered in preparing my Department's budget requirements for the CSP Programme in 2023.
1149. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to develop and or enhance the connected hubs In Leixlip, Celbridge and Maynooth in 2022 and into 2023; if she has engaged with the national hub network in respect of the provision of services and facilities in the mentioned towns and in north Kildare [37195/22]
View answerOur Rural Future, Ireland’s Rural Development Policy was launched in early 2021. The policy recognises the opportunity for rural rejuvenation that remote working presents and commits to establishing a comprehensive and integrated national network of 400 remote working hubs by 2025.
In furtherance of this commitment, my Department’s focus to date has been on strategically developing a national hubs network, adding capacity to Ireland's existing remote working infrastructure and supporting the establishment of new hubs.
Over €100m has been invested by my department in the development of remote working facilities through programmes such as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, and the Connected Hubs Call. Successful projects are developed in collaboration with local authorities and communities with many projects seeing vacant and derelict buildings in rural towns and villages converted into remote working hubs.
Last year I launched ConnectedHubs.ie, a shared online booking and payments platform for member hubs and their users. The network includes a diverse range of hubs, services and facilities, thus facilitating companies of different sizes. There are currently 249 remote and co-working facilities across the State on-boarded to the platform. This number is growing all the time meaning we are well on track to meet our target of 400 remote working hubs nationwide by 2025. This includes 8 hubs in county Kildare, which are as follow:
- National Equine Innovation Centre (NEIC) (Kildare),
- ACDAL Remote Working Hub (Allenwood),
- Newbridge Business Centre (Newbridge),
- The Hub at Ballymore Eustace (Ballymore Eustace),
- Premier Business Centres @ The Osprey (Naas),
- MERITS (Naas),
- Venture House (Ballitore),
- County Kildare Chamber iHub (Naas).
A further 5 hubs in Kildare have also been invited to join the National network, as follows:
- Monasterevin Community Centre (Monasterevin),
- Athy Community Enterprise Centre (Athy),
- AgTechUCD Innovation Centre (Celbridge),
- Clane Project Centre (Clane),
- Business Barn (Leixlip).
In February of this year, I launched the 2022 Connected Hubs Call, allocating €5 million in funding to add additional capacity to the existing remote working infrastructure in remote working hubs and Broadband Connection Points throughout the country.
On Wednesday 8 June, I announced that 81 projects across the country were successful in securing funding via the Connected Hubs 2022 scheme. This included approximately €250,000 being awarded to the following 5 hubs/BCPs in county Kildare - Kildare Chamber I Hub, Merits, Athy Community Enterprise Centre, the National Equine Innovation Centre and Venture House.
Details of the successful projects can be found on my Department website at:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/49822-2021-connected-hubs-fund-successful-applicants/.
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.
I am committed to ensuring that the National Hub Network will continue to make a central contribution to the achievement of the Government's vision for rural Ireland, as set out in Our Rural Future.
1150. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will list the applications that were made per county under the local improvement scheme in 2021 and 2022, respectively; the applications that were approved by her Department; the amount allocated to each successful application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37215/22]
View answerThe Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. As part of Our Rural Future, the Government is committed to ensuring that the LIS is funded into the future. 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. From 2017 to 2021, my Department allocated €80 million towards improvement works on over 3,000 non-public roads and lanes benefiting over 13,300 landowners and residents in these rural areas.
I launched the 2021 scheme with an initial budget of €10.5 million. Additional funding was sourced last year from savings within my Department's vote, effectively doubling investment in LIS to bring the total investment last year 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 am continuing to closely monitor expenditure patterns this year. Should savings emerge, I will give consideration to again allocating additional funding to the scheme.
The prioritisation and selection of eligible LIS roads is a matter for each relevant local authority within broad parameters set down by my Department. Each year following the launch of the Scheme and the announcement of individual county allocations, each local authority submits a priority list of roads, as well as a reserve list to my Department before works commence locally.
660 LIS roads were delivered under the 2021 scheme from the total allocation of €21 million. Details are set out in the following table. In addition, some 309 LIS roads have been submitted by local authorities to date in respect of the 2022 Scheme . These roads these have been approved and works are ongoing.
|
County |
2021 Allocation |
2021 Roads Submitted & Approved |
2022 Allocation |
2022 Roads Submitted & Approved |
|
Carlow |
€463,931 |
25 |
€351,880 |
18 |
|
Cavan |
€1,119,389 |
22 |
€371,140 |
8 |
|
Clare |
€828,528 |
20 |
€582,690 |
14 |
|
Cork |
€1,412,738 |
29 |
€879,099 |
15 |
|
Donegal |
€1,188,403 |
67 |
€716,560 |
31 |
|
Galway |
€1,580,871 |
49 |
€958,831 |
28 |
|
Kerry |
€1,187,099 |
18 |
€704,030 |
14 |
|
Kildare |
€495,586 |
8 |
€351,880 |
8 |
|
Kilkenny |
€778,682 |
19 |
€390,790 |
7 |
|
Laois |
€554,259 |
13 |
€351,880 |
9 |
|
Leitrim |
€503,830 |
17 |
€351,880 |
10 |
|
Limerick |
€1,504,659 |
42 |
€485,970 |
21 |
|
Longford |
€393,041 |
14 |
€351,880 |
12 |
|
Louth |
€417,821 |
10 |
€351,880 |
7 |
|
Mayo |
€1,361,625 |
91 |
€0 |
0 |
|
Meath |
€803,937 |
17 |
€340,500 |
6 |
|
Monaghan |
€1,326,223 |
26 |
€351,880 |
6 |
|
Offaly |
€545,240 |
29 |
€380,760 |
18 |
|
Roscommon |
€445,495 |
30 |
€456,990 |
17 |
|
Sligo |
€470,542 |
15 |
€358,030 |
10 |
|
Tipperary |
€721,531 |
25 |
€644,070 |
17 |
|
Waterford |
€872,759 |
14 |
€92,910 |
5 |
|
Westmeath |
€628,389 |
24 |
€358,320 |
9 |
|
Wexford |
€653,786 |
22 |
€431,760 |
13 |
|
Wicklow |
€741,635 |
14 |
€384,390 |
6 |
|
Totals |
€21,000,000 |
660 |
€11,000,000 |
309 |
1151. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department and bodies under the aegis of her Department have engaged the services of two organisations (details supplied) at any point from 1 January 2020 to date; the costs associated with or incurred by the provision of services from these organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37289/22]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has not engaged the services of the first referenced organisation at any point from 1 January 2020 to date.
My Department did engage the services of the second referenced organisation. The overall costs associated with or incurred for the provision of services from that organisation was €4,982 from 1 January 2020 to date.
Please note, for the four agencies under the aegis of my Department (Pobal, Water Safety Ireland, the Charities Regulatory Authority and the Western Development Commission), engagement of services from companies is a matter for the relevant boards and management of those agencies as they are independent entities.
1152. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there is a process by which a town can be classified autism friendly; if so, if there is a funding stream available for such classifications; and if not, if she will work with Ministerial colleagues to create a process. [37317/22]
View answerMy colleague, Ms. Anne Rabbitte T.D., Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Disability at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, has responsibility for the development of the Autism Innovation Strategy.
I understand that the designation of autism friendly towns is part of an initiative carried out by 'As I Am', a charity operating in the area. This process operates independently of Government and does not come under my remit.
My Department funds 'As I Am' through the Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO). The SSNO provides core costs for national organisations and is not provided for programme or regional costs such as referenced in the question.
Local authorities are currently developing their new Local Economic and Community Plans and there may be potential for including local autism initiatives, at their own discretion.
While my Department does not have a funding stream process by which a town can be classified autism friendly, there are funding streams available to enhance facilities and amenities in towns and villages. Such programmes and schemes include the following:
Town and Village Renewal
- The Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) was introduced in 2016 and supports small to medium capital projects which enhance the environment of town or village centres. Since its introduction, almost €113 million has been allocated to more than 1,400 projects across Ireland.
- This year’s scheme includes, under Priority category A2 , funding for projects to develop parks, plazas, public outdoor dining spaces, green spaces (including allotments) and recreational spaces/amenities in town centres to make them vibrant hubs for community enjoyment, and to increase footfall for local businesses.
LEADER
- Funding may 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, one of which is Social Inclusion.
- 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 Local Action Group, 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.
Libraries
- My Department has policy responsibility for Public Libraries, and provides funding to supplement investment by local authorities in their public library services. The current public libraries strategy, ‘Our Public Libraries 2022 - Inspiring, Connecting and Empowering Communities’ includes a specific focus on communities and individuals at risk of being socially excluded, marginalised or disadvantaged.
- In 2019 my Department approved funding of almost €700,000 to support the provision of sensory facilities and equipment in Public Libraries which included equipment such as a Sensory Pod in Carrigaline and sensory play equipment in all the Cork City library branches.
- Since 2019 my Department has provided funding through the Dormant Accounts Fund which supports marginalised, socially excluded and disadvantaged communities. This has included funding for library staff training to support certain library branches in becoming Autism Friendly spaces e.g. Scarriff, Co Clare and a number of library branches in Fingal County Council. In 2021 and 2022, Dormant Accounts funding has also been provided to support the provision of modern equipment in public libraries which improves accessibility for people with a disability and those with autism and sensory needs. Funding under this programme includes sensory walls, sensory toys, sensory gardens and sensory pods.
The Autism Innovation Strategy, which is in development, will take a whole-of-government approach to advance the rights of people with autism in Irish society and will play an important role in shaping future policies and strategies across government to address challenges and barriers faced by the community of neurodiverse people in Ireland.
1153. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the total number of applications approved for Cork County Council through the town and village renewal scheme by year, project title, location, total amount approved since its introduction in 2016, in tabular form; the money that was subsequently returned from Cork County Council to her Department; the reason for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37731/22]
View answerThe Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) was introduced in 2016 and is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. The Scheme is administered through local authorities, who work closely with local communities and businesses to develop proposals that can make a lasting impact in revitalising rural towns and villages across the country.
Since the launch of the Scheme in 2016, almost €113 million has been allocated to more than 1,400 projects across Ireland.
In May this year, I launched the Town and Village Renewal Scheme for 2022. This years Scheme will place particular emphasis on projects that bring vacant and derelict buildings and sites back into use as multipurpose spaces in line with the objectives of “Our Rural Future –Ireland’s Rural Development Policy 2021-2025”.
The following table outlines the funding provided through the TVRS for Cork County Council since 2016. In relation to funding that was subsequently returned from Cork County Council to my Department, I can confirm that an amount of €9,062.28 which was claimed for an ineligible project element (the installation of glazing) for the Kinsale 2017 project was returned.
|
Scheme |
Town or Village |
Amount approved |
Description of Project |
|
TVRS 2016 |
Bandon |
€47,500 |
Commemorative space to celebrate 1916 |
|
TVRS 2016 |
Blarney |
€47,500 |
Tourism - Interactive sculpture of Chieftain McCarthy |
|
TVRS 2016 |
Boherbue |
€47,500 |
Footpath, Landscaping & Ducting for Public Lighting |
|
TVRS 2016 |
Carrigtwohill |
€47,500 |
Carrigtwohill Development Plan |
|
TVRS 2016 |
Dunmanway |
€47,500 |
Tourism - Sam Maguire Trail |
|
TVRS 2016 |
Fermoy |
€47,500 |
Redevelopment of Abbey Street |
|
TVRS 2016 |
Ladysbridge |
€47,500 |
Tourism - development of walking trail, |
|
TVRS 2016 |
Passage West |
€47,500 |
Health Check, capital investment for Town Centre. |
|
TVRS17 |
Millsteet |
€100,000 |
Blueway Development, Pontoon, Slipway and Carpark |
|
TVRS17 |
Fermoy |
€100,000 |
Blueway Development |
|
TVRS17 |
Castletownbere |
€100,000 |
Carpark and Street enhancement |
|
TVRS17 |
Schull |
€100,000 |
New Pontoon facilities - commercial and leisure vessels |
|
TVRS17 |
Skibbereen |
€152,627 |
Ludgate Hub Innovation cluster |
|
TVRS17 |
Macroom |
€100,000 |
Revamp Middle Square |
|
TVRS17 |
Passage West |
€100,000 |
Maritime History Museum |
|
TVRS17 |
Buttevant |
€100,000 |
Buttevant medieval heritage trail & river walk |
|
TVRS17 |
Clonakilty |
€100,000 |
Cycleway and Pedestrian Access route |
|
TVRS17 |
Drinagh |
€80,000 |
Plaza, public lightening, footpath etc. |
|
TVRS17 |
Kinsale |
€80,000 |
Renovate local museum |
|
TVRS17 |
Youghal |
€78,400 |
Renovate Youghal Lighthouse |
|
TVRS17 |
Bantry |
€76,800 |
Develop and brand Bantry Market |
|
TVRS17 |
Glengarriff |
€48,000 |
Life size bronze to commemorate Maureen O Hara |
|
TVRS17 |
Bandon |
€32,000 |
Allin Institute renovations |
|
TVRS 2018 |
Passage West |
€100,000 |
Improvements to harbour area |
|
TVRS 2018 |
Charleville |
€100,000 |
Enhancement of town centre |
|
TVRS 2018 |
Cloyne |
€50,000 |
Village enhancement including Litton Fountain and environs |
|
TVRS 2018 |
Youghal |
€95,000 |
Town enhancement including footpath replacement and maritime sculpture |
|
TVRS 2018 |
Bantry |
€96,000 |
Enhancement of Main Street |
|
TVRS 2018 |
Inchigeelagh |
€100,000 |
Village enhancements |
|
TVRS 2018 |
Mitchelstown |
€164,800 |
Develop age friendly features for town |
|
TVRS 2018 |
Carrigtwohill |
€100,000 |
Develop community campus |
|
TVRS 2018 |
Dunmanway |
€96,000 |
Refurbish car park, incorporate pedestrian link to Dunmanway |
|
TVRS 2018 |
Coachford |
€100,000 |
Village enhancements |
|
TVRS 2019 |
Ballydesmond |
€150,000 |
The renewal and upgrade of the public realm area of Ballydesmond Village. |
|
TVRS 2019 |
Doneraile |
€145,000 |
Public realm works, improve village centre amenities, provide public Wi-Fi and tackle dereliction. |
|
TVRS 2019 |
Dromahane |
€142,500 |
Public realm works and village enhancements. |
|
TVRS 2019 |
Durras |
€60,000 |
Public realm improvements in Durras Village. |
|
TVRS 2019 |
East Cork |
€40,000 |
The installation of bike racks and lockers in car parks across east Cork |
|
TVRS 2019 |
Glengarriff |
€100,000 |
Installing a new riverside walk, eradicating invasive species while planting native ones, and upgrading existing walks. |
|
TVRS 2019 |
Ringaskiddy |
€100,000 |
The restoration of the community hall. |
|
TVRS 2020 |
Coolagown |
€165,000 |
Development of car parking and pedestrian access; signage and information boards. |
|
TVRS 2020 |
Countywide (various areas) |
€57,690 |
To provide ICT equipment & furniture in 17 villages with broadband connection points. |
|
TVRS 2020 |
Kanturk |
€162,000 |
Urban walkway: Enhanced pedestrian access and connectivity between Kanturk Town centre, Kanturk Castle and the local business district. |
|
TVRS 2020 |
Killeagh |
€54,000 |
Replacement of three wooden bridges at Glenbower Wood and development of a set of trail maps. |
|
TVRS 2020 |
Leap |
€85,000 |
Amenity park overlooking the estuary, including a viewing platform, landscaping, wild flower garden, walkways & raised seating area. |
|
TVRS 2020 |
Liscarroll |
€160,000 |
Public realm improvements, including landscaping, pedestrian access improvements, safety enhancements and signage. |
|
2020 Acc Measure 1 |
Killard |
€40,000 |
Restore pedestrian access along the partially blocked footpath between Killard and Blarney. |
|
2020 Acc Measure 1 |
Youghal |
€36,000 |
To create an accessible community garden in a protected structure in Youghal. |
|
2020 Acc Measure 1 |
Rathcormac |
€25,000 |
To enhance a public amenity area in Rathcormac by providing seating and picnic benches in a community space improving pedestrian access and infrastructure enhancements |
|
2020 Acc Measure 1 |
Macroom |
€25,000 |
Revamp of Macroom to include refreshment painting, deep clean, installation of street canopies, street furniture, adaption of streets, refurbishment of exterior of Town Hall, public toilets and Castle gates. |
|
2020 Acc Measure 1 |
West Cork |
€18,000 |
Purchase of equipment to facilitate the holding of all weather community events in the West Cork area. |
|
2020 Acc Measure 2 |
Kanturk |
€40,000 |
Renewal of Town Park including widening of footpaths and provision of seating and benches |
|
2020 Acc Measure 2 |
Crosshaven |
€22,500 |
Public Realm and accessibility improvements and marquee hire |
|
2020 Acc Measure 2 |
West Cork |
€18,000 |
Purchase of equipment system to allow for the holding of medium scale community events & concerts across West Cork |
|
2020 Acc Measure 2 |
Liscarroll |
€25,000 |
Village enhancements comprising of painting, signage for local visitor and heritage attractions, planting and footpath repairs to enhance safety |
|
2020 Acc Measure 2 |
Passage West |
€24,750 |
Provision of covered outdoor community space |
|
TVAC20 RD3 |
Carrigaline |
€36,000 |
Installation of a festival canopy and an awning for the community centre |
|
TVAC20 RD3 |
Castlemartyr |
€25,000 |
Develop a linear walkway from Castlemartyr village to Castlemartyr Resort Hotel |
|
TVAC20 RD3 |
Cobh |
€39,600 |
Enhancements to existing park to include a ‘smart bench’ and pavement improvements in town |
|
TVAC20 RD3 |
Crossbarry |
€36,000 |
Creation of an amenity Memorial Park |
|
TVAC20 RD3 |
Mallow |
€40,000 |
Purchase of marquees for outdoor events, painting scheme and extension of parklet projects. |
|
TVAC20 RD3 |
Midleton |
€36,000 |
Installation of a pedestrian bridge & connecting pathways between three existing parks |
|
TVAC20 RD3 |
Millstreet |
€40,000 |
Revamp of Millstreet Town, including deep-clean, provision of canopies, street furniture & shop front painting scheme. |
|
TVRS 2021 |
Castletownbere |
€98,001 |
To development of a vertical ‘pocket park’ using an underused site in the town centre of Castletownbere, Co Cork. Transforming an underused site into a safe and universally accessible area |
|
TVRS 2021 |
Cobh |
€250,000 |
To develop a Community and Enterprise Hub |
|
TVRS 2021 |
Kiskeam |
€45,000 |
To develop a remote working hub. |
|
TVRS 2021 |
Mitchelstown |
€500,000 |
To develop an Enterprise Hub. |
|
TVRS 2021 PDM |
Castletownbere |
€39,852 |
To obtain a professional report in respect of the refurbishment and redevelopment of St Peter’s Church, Castletownbere with a view to developing a fishing museum and community hub in the former Church of Ireland building. |
|
Total Funding |
€5,610,520 |
1154. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the approvals to date by the local action groups of funding for projects under the LEADER programme by County Cork local action groups; the amount of expenditure to date on projects by County Cork local action groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37732/22]
View answerThe 2014-2020 LEADER programme for Ireland had an allocation of €250 million. €225 million of this budget was allocated to Local Action Groups (LAGs) who delivered the programme and approve projects at local level. This allocation covered both core project expenditure and the administration costs of the LAG.
For the purposes of the LEADER Programme, County Cork was divided into 3 sub-regional areas, with a LAG in each area delivering separate Local Development Strategies.
The deadline for project commitments under the 2014-2020 programme was extended to the end of March 2021 to facilitate the full allocation of the funds available to the LAGs.
The amount allocated to Co. Cork for that period was €14.4 million.
In line with the ‘Our Rural Future’ – the Government’s Rural Development Policy for 2021-2025, I announced an increased allocation of €70 million for the Transitional LEADER Programme which came into effect in April 2021 and will cover the period 2021-2022, with a successor programme to commence in 2023.
€65 million of this budget is available to Local Action Groups (LAGs) who deliver the programme and approve projects at local level. This allocation covers both core project expenditure and the administration costs of the LAGs.
A further €3 million of the funding was allocated to support Co-operation projects and innovation between LAGs, while the remaining €2 million will be provided to provide preparatory support for the next LEADER programme. Funds allocated under the LEADER Food Initiative budget are exhausted since December 2021.
The amount allocated to Co. Cork under the transitional programme is €4.1 million. This allocation is provided on a pro-rata basis, commensurate with the allocations made at the start of the 2014-2020 LEADER programme. Project approvals are ongoing under the Transitional Programme and final claims for payment must be submitted to the Department no later than 30 June 2024.
Table 1 below shows the overall LEADER allocation by LAG, number and value of projects approved, together with project expenditure, broken-down by LAG area in County Cork up to 4th July 2022.
|
LAG Area |
Full Allocation 2014-2022 |
Count of Projects Approved |
LEADER Grant Amount Approved |
Project Amounts Paid |
|
Cork North |
€7,096,255 |
153 |
€5,945,012 |
€4,684,462 |
|
Cork South |
€4,963,279 |
98 |
€4,566,398 |
€2,497,942 |
|
Cork West |
€6,497,578 |
97 |
€5,480,523 |
€2,693,066 |
|
Grand Total |
€18,557,112 |
348 |
€15,991,933 |
€9,875,470 |
1155. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount that has been budgeted for the local improvement scheme in 2022 for County Cork; the demand for the scheme in County Cork; the financial allocations that have been made to date by local authorities in the county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37733/22]
View answerThe Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. As part of Our Rural Future, the Government is committed to ensuring that the LIS is funded into the future. 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. From 2017 to 2021, my Department allocated €80 million towards improvement works on over 3,000 non-public roads and lanes benefiting over 13,300 landowners and residents in these rural areas.
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 LIS in early April, which included €879,099 for County Cork.
Since the scheme was reintroduced in 2017, County Cork has been allocated a total of €6.94 million. This represents the third largest allocation at a national level.
Last year, I was in a position to double the initial LIS allocation to €21 million following the identification of savings in other capital areas. This year, I am continuing to closely monitor expenditure patterns. Should savings emerge, I will give consideration to again allocating additional funding to the scheme.
1156. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her views on a matter (details supplied). [38046/22]
View answerThe Connected Hubs Voucher Scheme, which I launched in June, will give remote workers free use of hot desks at participating digital hubs nationwide. These hubs are all members of the National Hub Network and voucher bookings may be made via the Network's online booking platform connectedhubs.ie
Connectedhubs.ie is a shared online booking engine that provides a 'one stop shop' for users to find their nearest hub and for hubs to advertise their services and take bookings. This service is currently provided free of charge to both the user and the member hubs.
Under the Connected Hubs Voucher Scheme, at least 10,000 hot desk working days will be provided for free. The scheme is aimed at both existing hub users and those accessing hub facilities for the first time. Each registered user has been allocated 3 vouchers to use at participating hubs.
Vouchers first became available on 27th June and are redeemable until 31st August 2022. A second phase of the Scheme will launch in September. This second phase will allow more hubs to sign up to the Network and to take part in the voucher scheme. Any hubs who are interested in taking part should contact info@connectedhubs.ie to register their hub on the connectedhubs.ie platform.
As more hubs are added to the Network, more hot desks will become available to book online, including via the voucher scheme.
With regards to the area highlighted by the Deputy, the Connected Hubs team have spoken to and engaged with representatives from a number of hubs in the area since early this year. These hubs have been invited to join the National Hub Network and to be onboarded to connectedhubs.ie.
It should be noted that there are a number of other hubs in Cork City and county that are members of the Network and are participating in the Voucher Scheme. Locations of these hubs may be found at www.connectedhubs.ie.
