Written Answers Nos. 2178-2193
2178. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount spent by her Department on legal costs or legal services in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [40015/22]
View answerMy Department was established on 19 July 2017. The information sought by the Deputy in respect of legal costs since then is provided in the table below.
In 2018, the Department was assigned a designated point of contact for the provision of legal advice through the Office of the Attorney General, and this service provides for the majority of our ongoing requirements in this regard.
|
Legal Services/Legal Costs |
Amount Spent € |
|
2018 |
€2,655 |
|
2019 |
€1,855 |
|
2020 |
€283,533 |
|
2021 |
€178,192 |
|
To date in 2022 |
€35,250 |
|
Total amount spent by DRCD on legal costs or legal services |
€501,485 |
2179. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount spent by her Department on the procurement of office space and furniture and office IT equipment in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022. [40033/22]
View answerMy Department currently only occupies office space at two locations - Trinity Point, Dublin 2, and Government Buildings, Ballina, Co. Mayo. The offices occupied in Ballina are in the ownership of the Office of Public Works (OPW), while the lease arrangements in relation to Trinity Point are managed on our behalf by the OPW.
No other rental or purchase arrangements have been entered into for office space since my Department's establishment in 2017.
In terms of office furniture and IT equipment, my Department has identified the following relevant expenditure:
|
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
Total |
|
€150,790 |
€219,626 |
€179,254 |
€83,441 |
€59,238 |
€692,349 |
It should be noted that my Department only took over expenditure in this area in 2018, following its establishment in 2017. Furthermore, the Deputy may wish to refer to the outturn recorded in my Department's Appropriation Accounts for office equipment, premises and external IT services for the years concerned which cover areas of expenditure additional to those noted above.
2180. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of times that she embarked on visits to foreign countries on behalf of the State since the formation of the Government; the geographical location of each visit; the number of days that she spent abroad on such trips; the dates upon which each trip took place; and the associated travel and accommodation costs which were incurred by her Department in relation to each trip in tabular form. [40051/22]
View answerI have not travelled internationally on behalf of my Department since my appointment as the Minister for Rural and Community Development.
I did travel to Malta alongside President Higgins from 11/05/2022 – 14/05/2022. The Department of Rural and Community Development had no role or involvement in the organisation of this trip.
2181. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the estimated full-year cost of establishing a new local action group for LEADER programming; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40107/22]
View answerThe LEADER Programme is a key intervention of Our Rural Future, the Government’s Policy for rural development launched last year which aims to deliver a range of actions to rural communities over the lifetime of the policy. It is a multi-annual programme for rural development co-funded by the EU through the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The programme is based on a community-led approach to rural development and plays an important role in supporting communities and enterprises in progressing job creation, social inclusion and environmental projects at local level.
Preparations for the design and delivery of the next LEADER programme from 2023-2027 are well underway and there is ongoing engagement between my officials, colleagues from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine and the EU Commission with a view to obtaining approval for the CAP Strategic Plan as a matter of priority.
€250m has been made available for LEADER for the period 2021 to 2027. This is comprised of €70 million for the transitional period 2021 to 2022 which came into effect on 1 April 2021 and an additional €180 million from 2023 to 2027. This level of funding is evidence of the Government’s continued support for the LEADER programme.
Funding allocations for the new LEADER programme will be allocated to Local Action Groups (LAGs), following an open and competitive selection process. Given the structure of the LEADER programme nationwide, there is not a standard costing for the establishment of a new LAG. However, as part of the selection of LAGs to deliver the new LEADER programme, funding will be available to groups to assist with the development of Local Development Strategies, and ongoing administrative funding for LAGs forms a core part of the LEADER structure.
2182. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when a decision will be made on an application to the rural regeneration and redevelopment fund for Charleville, County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40248/22]
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 €279 million for projects costing €379 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 Cork 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.
2183. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the CLÁR Funding 2022- Project Application for Measure 1 will be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40559/22]
View answerThe 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. This year's programme was launched in February last with a total budget of €7 million. This represents an increase of €1.5 million on the budget for the 2021 CLÁR programme.
The measures being funded under CLÁR 2022 are:
- Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities and Amenities
- Measure 2: Mobility, Cancer Care and Community First Responders Transport
- Measure 3: ‘Our Islands’
The 2022 CLÁR programme is now closed for all measures. Announcements on the successful applications under Measures 2 and 3 have been made and these details can be found on my Department’s website. An announcement of the successful applications under Measure 1 of the programme will be made in the coming weeks.
2184. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his Department's position on community gardens and community allotments; the funding options that are available for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40638/22]
View answerI am aware of the many cultural, environmental, social, and health benefits of community gardens and allotments. Accordingly, there are a number of possible funding options available for such initiatives.
The CLÁR programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas. This year's programme was launched in February last with a total budget of €7 million. This represents an increase of €1.5 million on the budget for the 2021 CLÁR programme.
The measures being funded under CLÁR 2022 are:
- Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities and Amenities
- Measure 2: Mobility, Cancer Care and Community First Responders Transport
- Measure 3: ‘Our Islands’
Community gardens and allotments were eligible for funding under Measure 1 of CLÁR 2022.
The 2022 programme is now closed to new applications. I announced the successful Measure 2 and Measure 3 projects last month and these are published on my Department's website. Successful applications under Measure 1 will be announced in the coming weeks.
The LEADER programme is another key intervention implemented by my Department which will help to underpin the Government's rural development goals as outlined in Our Rural Future. The LEADER programme is delivered through 29 Local Action Groups (LAGs) across rural Ireland. A feature of the LEADER programme is that it is based on a community-led, bottom-up approach to rural development, and funding may also be available based on this approach. 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 LAGs, their Implementing Partners and their contact details, is available on my Department’s website.
2185. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department have analysed the impact of competitive tendering on community projects. [40700/22]
View answerIn 2019, the Department of Rural and Community Development published Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities. This strategy describes a long-term vision for our communities and sets a general direction of travel for government policy in relation to supporting communities and the community and voluntary sector.
Specifically, the strategy commits to review the current national practice in relation to the commissioning model and develop a model reflecting a collaborative, partnership and whole of government ethos and prioritising societal value and community need. In conjunction with the Cross Sectoral Group on Local and Community Development (CSG), who oversee implementation of the strategy and set work priorities, we have undertaken to commence work on this objective later this year. As part of this work, looking at the commissioning of social, personal and community services by public authorities, which includes competitive tendering, my Department will engage with other departments and with the sector, including through a dedicated sub-group of the CSG.
2186. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department is considering reducing the number of breeding bitches down from six that would require a dog breeding establishment licence. [40807/22]
View answerMy Department published revised guidelines for Dog Breeding Establishments which came into effect on 1 January 2019. There was a substantial shift in the guidelines towards a focus on the welfare of dogs and pups. Each local authority is responsible for the monitoring of these standards with regard to the registration of such establishments.
Under the Dog Breeding Establishments Act, 2010, local authorities are also responsible for all operational activities such as the registration, inspection and regulation of Dog Breeding Establishments, including enforcement activities. It is the responsibility of each local authority to maintain the register of dog breeding establishments in its functional area. The Act also places an obligation on any person seeking to operate a dog breeding establishment to have the premises included on the register.
Currently, any premises which has six or more female dogs over 6 months of age and capable of breeding, is considered a Dog Breeding Establishment as defined under the Act. My Department is currently considering legislative amendments to the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010, which will include a consideration of these licensing arrangements.
2187. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the grants that are available to community groups that wish to build new community centres. [40828/22]
View answerThe Town and Village Renewal Scheme aims to assist with the rejuvenation of rural towns and villages throughout Ireland, making them more attractive places to live, work and visit and has seen over 1400 projects benefit from almost €113 million in funding since its inception in 2016.
In line with the commitment in Our Rural Future, the current scheme prioritises the purchase and/or renovation of derelict and vacant buildings in our town centres, with a view to bringing these buildings back into use as multipurpose spaces. Multipurpose use includes enterprise spaces, arts, tourism, youth hubs and other community uses.
Under the 2022 Town and Village Renewal Scheme, and where there is a clearly identified and defined need in a town or village that cannot be met with an existing premises, I have included a provision for funding for new build community centres. The deadline for applications under the Scheme was 22 July 2022. I expect to be in a position to announce successful applicants later this year.
The LEADER programme is another key intervention implemented by my Department which will help to underpin the Government's rural development goals as outlined in Our Rural Future. The LEADER programme is delivered through 29 Local Action Groups (LAGs) across rural Ireland. A feature of the LEADER programme is that it is based on a community-led, bottom-up approach to rural development.
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 improving access to basic services for people living in rural areas. Funding may be available through the LEADER Programme for building new community centres.
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 LAGs, their Implementing Partners and their contact details, is available on my Department’s website.
The Deputy may also be aware that earlier this year I launched a new €15m capital fund to support community groups for the upgrade and refurbishment of Community Centres. This fund, which had a closing date for applications of 14 July, will support a range of capital improvement works of varying scale for community centres across Ireland.
2188. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the actions and engagements that her Department has taken to date to reduce carbon emissions and increase energy efficiency in all buildings under her Department. [40918/22]
View answerMy Department is undertaking a number of measures to ensure energy conservation and address climate action in our offices.
My Department’s internal Green, Energy and Organisational (GEO) Committee oversees a number of initiatives to ensure energy conservation and environmental sustainability, including the implementation of a Resource Efficiency Action Plan and participation in the Optimising Power at Work initiative. The committee also actively engages with our staff to advise on how to encourage energy efficiency, both in the office and in the home working environment.
In furtherance of the Public Sector Energy Efficiency Strategy, my Department achieved an overall increase in energy efficiency of 37.8% by 2022. While this was undoubtedly driven to an extent by increased remote working, significant progress was nevertheless achieved through the work undertaken by the GEO Committee and the actions of our staff in progressing the energy efficiency and conservation agenda.
2189. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the controls currently in place in relation to the keeping of dangerous dog breeds; if she is satisfied with current regulations; if she intends to add to the list of banned breeds in Ireland, including American Bully XL, in view of recent dog attacks in the UK; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40957/22]
View answerThe relevant legislation in this area is the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 2014, which sets out a range of requirements for all dog owners or any other person in charge of a dog. The Control of Dogs Regulations 1998 set out further requirements that owners of specific breeds of dogs, including strains or crosses of those breeds, have to follow. Such dogs must be muzzled and led, on a sufficiently strong leash or chain not exceeding 2 metres in length, by a competent person over 16 years of age, when in a public place.
Concerns had been raised regarding the overall approach to the regulation of restricted breeds. Some stakeholders asserted that more breeds should be added to the list – especially given the newer breeds that have arrived in Ireland over the last number of years. Others believed that a different approach should be taken which would focus on the behavioural issues of individual dogs, rather than specific breeds and should move away from muzzling.
Following a review of this policy area, including a public consultation process to which over 1,000 responses were received, my Department recently published on gov.ie the report on ‘A Review of Measures relating to the Control of Dogs in Ireland’. A selection of the submissions received were also published alongside the report.
My Department is now identifying any necessary legislative amendments that may be required.
2190. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will meet with an organisation (details supplied) which was unsuccessful in receiving vital funding from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41070/22]
View answerThe Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector (SSNO) plays a significant role in Government’s support to our national community and voluntary organisations, through the provision of multi-annual funding towards their day to day operations.
Those organisations supported by the SSNO operate at the very heart of our communities, providing much needed supports for our most disadvantaged and vulnerable citizens.
The overall aim of the SSNO 2022-2025 is to provide multi-annual funding towards core costs of national organisations in the community and voluntary sector, to assist them to operate and fund core staff positions. This new Scheme will build on the developments of the current programme, to help strengthen and consolidate the administrative and operational capabilities of recipient organisations, which as we know is so integral to the translation of essential services on the ground.
Recognising the value of this Scheme to the sector, I previously secured an additional annual funding allocation of €800,000 for the 2022-2025 Scheme.
The SSNO 2022-2025 has proven to be a highly competitive process, receiving applications for funding totalling over €46.7 million, against a budget allocation of just under €21 million.
All applications and appeals for the 2022-2025 programme respectively are independently appraised by Pobal to ensure transparency, fairness and due process.
The 2022-2025 SSNO appraisal and appeals process is designed to ensure all applicants are subject to fair, transparent and equitable procedure.
In this context, and while the appeals process is still ongoing, it would be inappropriate for me or my officials to engage in discussions with any individual organisation, as to do so would not only call into question the impartiality of the appraisal process, but would also compromise any appeal that may have been made by the organisation itself.
2191. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she has received any gifts from visiting dignitaries; if she will provide a breakdown of the details of these gifts, their value, and the way they were disposed of; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41124/22]
View answer2192. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she has received any gifts while travelling abroad; if she will provide a breakdown of the detail and value of these gifts and the way they were disposed of; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41142/22]
View answer2193. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she or her Department have given any gifts to visiting dignitaries; if she will provide a breakdown of the detail and the value of these gifts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41160/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2191 to 2193, inclusive, together.
I have not received any gifts from visiting dignitaries or received any such gifts while I was travelling abroad. Neither I nor my Department have given any gifts to visiting dignitaries.
