Written Answers Nos. 581-596
581. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress that is being made on the commitment in the Programme for Government to double ex-gratia grants to animal welfare organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38480/22]
View answerAnimal welfare is high on my agenda. We commit considerable resources as well as funding to address the issue.
The Programme for Government commitment to double the funding allocated to animal welfare organisations over a two year period was based on the 2020 budget allocation of €2.435m. Savings elsewhere in my Department's vote enabled the eventual awarding of €3.2 million to 101 organisations in 2020.
In December 2021, I announced the allocation of over €3.7 million in grants to 98 animal welfare charities throughout the country. In line with the Programme for Government commitment, this was the largest award of grant funding to animal welfare bodies ever made in Ireland.
It is my intention to fulfil the Programme for Government commitment to award funding that will double the 2020 €2.435 budget allocation, subject to my Department's policy objectives and financial resources being available.
The call for grant applications for this year's awards was launched last month and applications received are now being evaluated by my officals. The application process has been revised this year to reflect the importance of the provision of education on animal welfare by grant applicants to a broader range of citizens, with the goal of improving the understanding of animal welfare and responsible pet ownership by the public.
582. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason that farmers have to be part of the Bord Bia quality assured scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38486/22]
View answerThe management and operation of the sustainable beef and lamb assurance scheme (SBLAS), of which there are approximately 53,000 members. is an operational matter for Bord Bia.
A core element of the SBLAS is a sustainability audit which features a carbon footprint measurement. The primary objective of the carbon footprint measurement is to enable the quantification of all of the environmentally sustainable activity carried out by Irish farmers.
The SBLAS sustainability audit, including the Carbon Footprint measurement, is developed on an internationally verified quality assurance model. There is no direct cost to the farmer for participation in the SBLAS, as the costs of the audits are funded by my Department.
As the Deputy may be aware, the carbon footprint measurement is both an eligibility requirement and an integral element of the proposed Suckler Carbon Efficiency Scheme under the new CAP. In designing the scheme, in consultation with farming stakeholders, the Department gave detailed consideration to all aspects of the scheme design including potential mechanisms for delivery of the carbon foot-printing requirement. I am satisfied that the chosen scheme design is the most appropriate.
583. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the condition attached to the pig exceptional payment scheme, requiring breeding herds to be reduced by 10% will be reviewed given that it excludes producers who buy in pigs at a certain weight rather than owning breeding herds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38577/22]
View answerOn 13th June, I announced the opening of applications for the Pig Exceptional Payment Scheme 2 (PEPS2), funded from EU exceptional adjustment aid to producers in agricultural sectors which have been impacted by Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine
A total fund of €13 million is being made available for this voluntary scheme for pig farmers, to support the viability of this important sector. The scheme closed for applications on Monday 11th July.
A key condition of the scheme is to reduce breeding pig numbers by 10% as compared to the National Pig Census 2021 return and maintain that reduction for four subsequent and consecutive months. The objective of the reduction measure is to incentivise pig farmers to reduce their number of breeding sows in order to reduce their overall feed costs, and to contribute to food security by aiming to protect the viability of pig farmers. It also supports farmers who participate in animal health and husbandry measures which are seen as key drivers in productivity and feed efficiency.
I am satisfied that this condition is therefore a necessary requirement of this voluntary scheme.
584. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any compensation scheme, replanting scheme or emergency support is in place for cases in which a larch plantation has become diseased; if so, the details of such assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38578/22]
View answerThe causal agent for the dieback and death of Japanese larch is an organism named Phytophthora ramorum which was first detected on Japanese larch in Ireland in 2010. Since then my Department has inter alia conducted annual surveys for its presence in the private and public forest estate and is doing so again this year. A component of the annual survey is informed by reports from owners which Inspectors in my Department follow up directly.
Consideration is being given in my Department for the inclusion of a support scheme for forest owners of Japanese larch impacted by Phytophthora ramorum , this will be considered for inclusion as part of any Reconstitution measure in the new Forestry Programme 2023 to 2027.
585. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on providing fully accessible changing places and toilet facilities open to the public in all buildings which his Department owns and public bodies and agencies under his remit to offer people with disabilities and carers a network of equipped spaces to take care of personal hygiene, in safety and comfort. [38712/22]
View answerMy Department is fully committed to the protection of human rights and the promotion of equality for its employees, customers, external stakeholders and interested parties. It continues to promote and implement its strong commitment to diversity, inclusion and the fair and equal treatment of all as a core value stated in its latest Statement of Strategy for the period from 2021-2024.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) owns and/or leases the buildings that the Department currently occupies and the Department is a tenant of these buildings. The Department shares a number of these buildings with other Government Departments and Public Bodies.
My Department engages as required with the OPW, who are the lead agency with responsibility for implementing Universal Access infrastructure works across Government buildings. To ensure compliance with Section 25 of the Disability Act 2005, work on the installation of a Universal Access Toilet in the public reception area on the ground floor of my Department's main offices in Agriculture House, Kildare Street, was completed by the OPW in 2022.
As regards the 12 State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue within 10 days.
586. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way that his Department and public bodies and agencies under his remit are implementing action 32 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 (details supplied). [38730/22]
View answerMy Department is committed to the protection of human rights and the promotion of equality for its employees, customers, external stakeholders and interested parties. Our latest Statement of Strategy (2021-2024) sets out as a core value “A strong commitment to diversity, inclusion and the fair and equal treatment of all” and this applies both internally and externally.
My Department aims to ensure that the needs of all its customers, including people with disabilities are met and that the rights of equal treatment are upheld in the delivery of services. In accordance with Section 26(2) of the Disability Act 2005, two Access Officers are appointed who are responsible for providing or arranging for, assistance and guidance to persons with disabilities accessing services provided by the Department, when requested, and generally to act as a point of contact for people wishing to access such services.
In addition to the Access Officers, Department officials are available in all regions to provide assistance to applicants who have questions or concerns on any scheme operated by the Department. We have an Accessibility officer to facilitate contact with the Department and take suitable measures as necessary. For instance, my Department commissioned a digital recording of all our schemes and services to assist a customer with reading difficulties, supplied documents in Braille to assist a visually impaired customer and provided Irish Sign Language interpretation services for onsite meetings with our customers when requested.
My Department’s Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) fosters awareness of equality and disability issues among staff and provides support, advice and guidance to both staff and managers around reasonable accommodation requests to ensure employees with a disability have equal opportunities throughout their career in my Department.
We frequently engage with the National Disability Authority regarding policies relevant to persons with disabilities.
My Department is represented on a range on interdepartmental committees of relevance to the representation of people with disabilities. These include:
- Working Group on the development of a Well-being Framework for Ireland
- Oireachtas Disability Group
- Interdepartmental Committee on Human Rights
- Interdepartmental Committee on access to services by ‘off-line’ citizens
My Department supports the AHEAD (Association for Higher Education and Disability) Willing Able Mentoring (WAM) Programme which aims to promote access to the workplace for graduates with disabilities. During 2021 my Department facilitated four paid and mentored placements under the WAM programme for suitably qualified candidates. Many former WAM participants have gone on to secure permanent employment. It is planned to facilitate further placements on this programme during 2022.
The Oireachtas Work Learning Programme (OWL), which was launched by the Ceann Comhairle in September 2018 is an unpaid applied learning, development and socialisation programme for young adults with an intellectual disability. The Programme aims to support individuals in developing the skills and confidence which will lead them to access paid employment in the open labour market. My Department collaborated with the Houses of the Oireachtas in facilitating three trainee placements on the 2019/20 programme. Many graduates of this programme have now gone on to secure permanent employment in the Public sector and one of the graduates recently joined my Department in a permanent post.
The move of my Department’s website to the www.gov.ie portal enabled the redesign of this platform to comply with the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) and National Disability Authority (NDA) guidelines. This includes ensuring that content on the website is at a suitable reading comprehension level.
As regards the 12 State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue within 10 days.
587. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the regulations that exist with regard to the importation of animal manure into the State; if his attention has been drawn to an increased demand for same; the reason for such demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38797/22]
View answerRegulation (EC) No. 1069/2009 governs the use of animal by-products within the EU. In particular, Article 48 of this Regulation sets out the controls that must be in place for the dispatch of animal by-products, including animal manure, between Member States.
The latest available figures from the EU Trade Control and Expert System below do not indicate an increase in dispatches of animal manure to Ireland.
Dispatches of Animal Manure to Ireland (kg)
|
2020 |
2021 |
|
106,861,992 |
89,310,614 |
588. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the salary of four roles within her Department (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38302/22]
View answerThe Assistant Secretaries General and Secretary General in my Department are paid in line with Civil Service salary scales. These scales are most recently outlined in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 15/2022 available here: gov.ie - Circular 15-2022 - FEMPI Pay Restoration 1 July 2022 (www.gov.ie).
Salary details for Ministers and Ministers of State are outlined in the Pay of Oireachtas Members and Office Holders document, which is available here: gov.ie - Pay of Oireachtas Members and Office Holders (www.gov.ie). The salary of the Minister is paid by the Department of Employment and Social Protection.
589. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will advise on funding allocations for the local improvement scheme by year from 2017 to 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38364/22]
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 has allocated funding towards improvement works on over 3,000 non-public roads and lanes benefiting over 13,300 landowners and residents in these rural areas.
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. 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 bringing the total allocation since 2017 to over €90 million. 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.
The table below sets out the allocations to each county since the scheme was reintroduced in 2017.
|
LIS Allocations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
County |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
Total |
|
Carlow |
€440,460 |
€528,279 |
€250,000 |
€250,000 |
€463,931 |
€351,880 |
€2,284,550 |
|
Cavan |
€335,080 |
€636,680 |
€269,254 |
€269,254 |
€1,119,389 |
€371,140 |
€3,000,797 |
|
Clare |
€866,774 |
€1,038,844 |
€480,811 |
€480,811 |
€828,528 |
€582,690 |
€4,278,458 |
|
Cork |
€1,151,985 |
€1,700,000 |
€900,000 |
€900,000 |
€1,412,738 |
€879,099 |
€6,943,822 |
|
Donegal |
€3,384,000 |
€1,792,516 |
€677,456 |
€677,456 |
€1,188,403 |
€716,560 |
€8,436,391 |
|
Galway |
€1,368,651 |
€1,942,000 |
€856,959 |
€856,959 |
€1,580,871 |
€958,831 |
€7,564,271 |
|
Kerry |
€995,578 |
€1,209,990 |
€669,930 |
€669,930 |
€1,187,099 |
€704,030 |
€5,436,557 |
|
Kildare |
€0 |
€329,591 |
€250,000 |
€250,000 |
€495,586 |
€351,880 |
€1,677,057 |
|
Kilkenny |
€605,565 |
€679,683 |
€288,905 |
€288,905 |
€778,682 |
€390,790 |
€3,032,530 |
|
Laois |
€812,270 |
€568,255 |
€250,000 |
€250,000 |
€554,259 |
€351,880 |
€2,786,664 |
|
Leitrim |
€487,947 |
€550,120 |
€250,000 |
€250,000 |
€503,830 |
€351,880 |
€2,393,777 |
|
Limerick |
€544,861 |
€684,349 |
€384,092 |
€384,090 |
€1,504,659 |
€485,970 |
€3,988,021 |
|
Longford |
€302,443 |
€472,217 |
€250,000 |
€250,000 |
€393,041 |
€351,880 |
€2,019,581 |
|
Louth |
€250,000 |
€250,000 |
€250,000 |
€250,000 |
€417,821 |
€351,880 |
€1,769,701 |
|
Mayo |
€1,272,974 |
€1,843,235 |
€778,496 |
€778,496 |
€1,361,625 |
€0 |
€6,034,826 |
|
Meath |
€474,290 |
€773,404 |
€326,394 |
€326,394 |
€803,937 |
€340,500 |
€3,044,919 |
|
Monaghan |
€366,312 |
€540,841 |
€250,000 |
€250,000 |
€1,326,223 |
€351,880 |
€3,085,256 |
|
Offaly |
€676,155 |
€644,654 |
€278,871 |
€278,871 |
€545,240 |
€380,760 |
€2,804,551 |
|
Roscommon |
€421,258 |
€820,968 |
€355,104 |
€355,104 |
€445,495 |
€456,990 |
€2,854,919 |
|
Sligo |
€496,158 |
€606,870 |
€256,154 |
€256,154 |
€470,542 |
€358,030 |
€2,443,908 |
|
Tipperary |
€246,900 |
€794,400 |
€599,969 |
€599,969 |
€721,531 |
€644,070 |
€3,606,839 |
|
Waterford |
€718,689 |
€607,047 |
€258,802 |
€258,802 |
€872,759 |
€92,910 |
€2,809,009 |
|
Westmeath |
€516,324 |
€607,224 |
€256,433 |
€256,433 |
€628,389 |
€358,320 |
€2,623,123 |
|
Wexford |
€494,493 |
€511,410 |
€329,878 |
€329,878 |
€653,786 |
€431,760 |
€2,751,205 |
|
Wicklow |
€310,000 |
€668,135 |
€282,494 |
€282,494 |
€741,635 |
€384,390 |
€2,669,148 |
|
Total |
€17,539,167 |
€20,800,712 |
€10,000,002 |
€10,000,000 |
€20,999,999 |
€11,000,000 |
€90,339,880 |
590. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the actions that her Department and bodies under the aegis of her Department are taking to increase recruitment of members of the LGBTQIA+ communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38415/22]
View answerOpen recruitment for my Department is conducted through the Public Appointments Service (PAS) who have their own independent Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy 2021-2023. PAS has a central role to play in recruiting diverse talent to take up public service employment opportunities.
My Department recognises the importance of achieving a workforce that is responsive, accessible, resilient and reflective of the communities that it serves. This is in line with the Government’s own Civil Service Renewal Programme 2030, which has among its aims the creation of a workplace and organisation of the future by fostering workforce equality, diversity, inclusion and wellbeing. The Civil Service works to attract, engage and nurture a diverse and inclusive workforce in order to best serve and reflect Irish society and to empower staff to continue thriving in an environment that is representative of society and respects and promotes human rights. My Department is also in the process of finalising a new 'People Strategy' for the period to 2025, and I expect that it will have a clear focus on equality, diversity and inclusion.
There are four agencies under my Department's remit, Pobal, Water Safety Ireland, the Charities Regulatory Authority and the Western Development Commission. They are independent legal entities governed by a board of directors and the Department has no role in their staffing or recruitment. functions.
591. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund 1 funding application submitted by Clare County Council to her Department for the Inis Cealtra Holy Island visitor experience; when a decision will be made on the application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38422/22]
View answerThe Rural Regeneration and Development Fund provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns and villages and rural areas across Ireland. To date, 191 projects have been approved for funding of €278 million for projects costing €377 million.
Calls for applications to the Fund are sought under two categories – Category 1 and Category 2. Category 1 relates to large scale ambitious capital projects with all necessary planning and other consents in place, and which are ready to proceed. Category 2 provides smaller grant funding to enable the development of project proposals suitable for future calls for Category 1 applications
The fourth call for Category 1 applications to the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund closed on the 29th April 2022. My Department received 42 applications to this call, together seeking funding of over €149 million. I understand that an application was received from Clare County Council for the project referred to by the Deputy.
The application process for the Fund is competitive in nature. Applications are currently being assessed by my Department under the oversight of the Project Advisory Board, comprised of representatives from key Government Departments and independent experts. Once the assessment process is complete, my Department will prepare a report setting out recommended projects. My role as Minister will be to consider that report and make final decisions in relation to the allocation of funding.
I expect to be in a position to announce the successful projects in the coming months.
592. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department has examined the benefits of town councils when formulating the Our Rural Future 2021-2025; if their absence has had negative effects on rural towns since 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38579/22]
View answerOur Rural Future 2021-2025 is the most ambitious and transformational policy for rural development in Ireland for decades. The policy contains more than 150 measures for delivery across the whole of Government, with the underlying theme of economic, environmental and societal sustainability.
The policy has a vision of ensuring vibrant and thriving rural towns and villages, with a key objective to maximise opportunities for individuals, communities and businesses in rural areas. It recognises that rural areas play an integral role in the economic, social and cultural recovery and wellbeing of the country.
Our Rural Future was developed following an extensive period of consultation, which included engagement with Government departments, local authorities, rural stakeholders, and the general public amongst other groups. The issue of Town Councils did not emerge from those consultation processes as a key issue for those in rural areas. Rather, other issues such as the centrality of communities were cited more strongly as being key to sustainable and inclusive development of rural areas. Our Rural Future was developed accordingly, to prioritise investment in the facilities and infrastructure required to support those communities to maximise their potential.
I understand from my colleague the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage that there are currently no plans to re-introduce Town Councils. However, in line the with the commitments contained in the Programme for Government, the Minister has signalled his intent to consider the introduction of further measures to strengthen the system of municipal districts.
Meanwhile, my Department will continue to invest significantly in rural towns and villages, through programmes such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, each of which provide funding to support the development of rural towns and communities as more attractive places to live, work and raise a family.
593. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her views on providing fully accessible changing places and toilet facilities open to the public in all buildings which her Department owns and public bodies and agencies under her remit to offer people with disabilities and carers a network of equipped spaces to take care of personal hygiene, in safety and comfort. [38725/22]
View answerMy Department occupies offices in Trinity Point, Dublin 2 and Government Buildings in Ballina, Co. Mayo. While the offices are not generally open to the public other than by appointment, accessible facilities are provided at both locations for use by staff of the Department and by visitors.
In terms of the agencies under my Department’s aegis (Water Safety Ireland, Pobal, the Charities Regulator and the Western Development Commission), none have offices which are generally open to the public. However, accessible facilities are provided for the use of visitors and staff in all the offices concerned.
594. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the way that her Department and public bodies and agencies under her remit are implementing action 32 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 (details supplied). [38743/22]
View answerThe Department of Rural and Community Development was established on 19th July 2017 to provide a renewed and consolidated focus on rural and community development in Ireland. My Department implements Action 32 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017 – 2021 in a number of ways.
My Department has a Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) in place whose role is to assist and support staff with disabilities and their line managers by the provision of necessary information, appropriate contacts, guidance, suggestions and advice. The DLO also plays an important role in promoting awareness about disability across the department and liaising with the National Disability Authority (NDA).
In March 2021, the Department provided a Disability Awareness Information session delivered by 'Ability Focus' for all staff.
In June 2021, my Department organised Outdoor Recreation Disability Awareness sessions delivered by 'Cara Sport Inclusion Ireland' for our stakeholders and the Department's staff. This was with a view to ensuring that the needs of people with a disability are factored into the design and delivery of outdoor recreation infrastructure in Ireland, particularly that infrastructure funded by my Department.
There are four agencies under the aegis of my Department: Water Safety Ireland (WSI), Pobal, the Western Development Commission (WDC) and the Charities Regulatory Authority (CRA). Disability issues are a matter for those agencies themselves as independent legal entities, and commensurate with their corporate and legal obligations.
595. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the engagement that she has had with the stakeholders of Gearagh, County Cork the allocation of outdoor tourist investments under the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme for the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38775/22]
View answerThe Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding for the development and enhancement of outdoor recreational infrastructure such as trails, walkways, cycleways, blueways and bridleways in rural areas.
Earlier this year, I launched the 2022 Scheme with a budget of €15 million to support outdoor recreation projects nationwide.
The Measures being funded under this year’s Scheme are:
Measure 1: Small Scale Repair/Development/Promotion and Marketing (Grant Amounts: Up to €30,000.)
Measure 2: Medium Scale Repair/Upgrade and New Trail/Amenity Development (Grant Amounts: Up to €200,000)
Measure 3: Strategic Large Scale Repair/Upgrade and New Strategic Trail/Amenity Development (Grant amounts: Up to €500,000)
Project Development Measure: Development costs for Strategic large Scale Projects (Grant amounts: Up to €500,000).
Since the formation of my Department in 2017, funding of over €4.6 million has been approved under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme for Cork City and County.
The 2022 Scheme is now closed for applications under all measures and assessments are currently under way. I am not aware of any recent direct engagement between local stakeholders and my Department in relation to the site alluded to by the Deputy. However, it should be noted that applications under ORIS are developed and submitted to my Department by local authorities and local development companies, and all applications are required to demonstrate a collaborative approach, working with the local community and stakeholders.
596. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans for allocating greater investment to local authority participation structures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38776/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, Public Participation Networks were established following the enactment of the Local Government Reform Act in 2014. Public Participation Networks (PPNs) have been established in all local authority areas. Membership of a PPN is open to all volunteer-led/not-for-profit groups in each local authority area. They bring together volunteer-led groups in each area to represent the Community and Voluntary, Environment, and Social Inclusion sectors. Over 18,000 groups nationwide are currently members of a PPN.
The PPN is the main link through which the local authority connects with the local community sector within its area. Its primary function is to provide representation for the community sector in Local Authority policymaking structures, giving local volunteers a greater say in local government decisions which affect their own communities. Where community representation is required on local authority committees, such as Strategic Policy Committees or Local Community Development Committees, etc., it must be sourced through the PPN.
A ‘root and branch’ review of PPN structures was commissioned by the Department of Rural And Community Development and conducted by an independent contractor, Mazars, in 2021. Fulfilling a commitment in the Programme for Government, the report on the independent review was published last month, and is available on the Department’s website. The Department will now work with stakeholders to develop an implementation roadmap to guide any changes to Public Participation Network structures. Participatory and co-design processes will be used to prioritise recommendations based on stakeholder input, and to ensure a diverse range of views and representatives are involved.
The total funding allocated to the Department of Rural and Community Development to fund PPNs and progress initiatives in this area in 2022 is €2,450,000. The question of additional funding will be considered in the context of the Estimates process for 2023.
