Thursday, 15 Sep 2022

Written Answers Nos. 101-120

Substance Misuse

Questions (101)

Thomas Gould

Question:

101. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will report on the role that her Department is taking in the National Drugs Strategy. [45088/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development

My officials have regular engagement with the Department of Health regarding the National Drugs Strategy. My Department is represented on the Strategic Implementation Group (4) of Reducing Harm and Supporting Recovery. This group comprises sectoral, agency and Departmental officials.

The strategy is relevant to my Department's work in the community and voluntary sectors as it is vital in ensuring the collective input of the statutory, community and voluntary sectors, to provide a coordinated response to drug and alcohol use in Irish society.

The strategy also involves mobilising communities and building their resilience to respond to the drug problem, particularly marginalised communities. This links well with my Department’s Social Inclusion & Community Activation Programme (SICAP 2018 - 2023), which supports those hardest to reach, and those who are most at risk of marginalisation.

My Department has two main goals within the strategy, which relate to providing community supports in collaboration with schools and other youth programmes, and improving the life chances of those that are marginalised in society. My Department will continue to assist with the important work of the National Drugs Strategy into the future.

Rural Schemes

Questions (102)

Seán Canney

Question:

102. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she intends to provide any additional interim Leader funding for 2023 in order to ensure that there is no gap in the provision of funding for community groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44768/22]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The LEADER Programme is a key intervention of Our Rural Future, the Government’s Policy for rural development 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).

I was delighted to welcome the recent announcement that the European Commission has confirmed their approval of Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan for 2023-2027, which includes the LEADER programme. This approval is a key step in the delivery of the next LEADER programme for the period 2023-2027

A number of further steps will now be completed by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in advance of bringing the CAP Plan to Government for final approval in the coming weeks.

As part of the new Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan, the Government has committed significant funding of €180m to LEADER for 2023-2027. This allocation was agreed by Government in October 2021.

Transitional funding of €70m was provided for the LEADER Programme for 2021 and 2022 to ensure that there was no gap in funding prior to the commencement of the 2023-2027 programme.

My Department’s focus now is to finalise the design of the new LEADER programme in conjunction with key stakeholders. I hope to be in a position to launch the selection process in the coming weeks.

For the duration of the selection process, stakeholders will be engaged in preparatory work relating to strategy design and a separate funding stream is available to support this work.

While this process is ongoing, existing LEADER Groups will also still be engaged in delivering projects on the ground and in closing out the current programme.

All available project funding has not yet been allocated to projects or drawn down by LEADER groups under the transitional programme. Approximately 80% of project funding has been committed by LEADER groups and I am aware that they continue to develop projects ‘in the pipeline’ in order to fully utilise the available budget.

On top of this core funding, additional Exchequer funding for administration costs has been put in place for LEADER groups who have exhausted all such existing funding in 2022. I have confirmed that this funding will be made available again in 2023, in cases where it is required by LEADER groups. It is not expected that all groups will require such funding in either 2022 or 2023. For example, it is anticipated that only half of LEADER Groups may require this funding by end 2022.

I am confident that the LEADER allocations made available by the Government, as outlined, are sufficient to allow LEADER to build on the success of the programme over the last 30 years in Ireland without any gap in the servicing of the programme.

Harbours and Piers

Questions (103)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

103. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 45 of 31 May 2022, the status of the development of the pier on Inis Oírr; the status of works to update the environmental reports to the required standard; the expected timeline for the completion of these works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45152/22]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

As the Deputy is aware, Galway County Council is the responsible authority for the maintenance and development of pier infrastructure on the Aran Islands. A steering committee consisting of representatives from my Department, Galway County Council and the Consulting Engineers meets regularly to monitor progress.

Earlier this year Galway County Council sought quotations from environmental consultancies to carry out a Gap Analysis Study. This was to review the environmental information available and to compile recommendations for the extent of further studies required which would form a part of the supporting materials for the Foreshore Licence.

The Gap Analysis study has been completed and submitted to my Department. The consultancy firm is compiling a list of required works that will need to be undertaken to update the environmental reports to the standard required. Additionally, Galway County Council is in regular contact with the Foreshore Unit of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and they have agreed to assist the local authority with mapping the area where the licence will apply.

Galway County Council has recently adopted new by-laws, which have come into effect for the duration of the pier’s development and hopes to recruit a harbour master in the coming months.

Galway County Council has also informed us that it plans to meet with island representatives in the next 2-3 weeks to discuss concerns around traffic, trading and the by-laws when the work is taking place on the pier.

Budget 2023

Questions (104)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

104. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if consideration will be given to providing additional supports for community centres in Budget 2023, particularly in view of soaring energy costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45045/22]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

Firstly, I want to acknowledge the importance of community centres, they are the cornerstone of community life in many places around the country. While community centres and facilities are funded under a number of national and local Government funding streams – there was no dedicated standalone funding stream until I launched the new Community Centres Investment Fund earlier this year. This is a capital fund of €15 million which will provide funding for the improvement and refurbishment of existing community centres in both urban and rural areas.

Separately, my Department has a number of schemes that are relevant to community centres such as the Community Enhancement Programme. The programme in 2021 provided €4.5 milion funding for small capital grants for the improvement of facilities.

The Community Activities Fund supported community and voluntary groups impacted by COVID-19. This Fund helped community groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with their running costs such as utility or insurance bills, as well as with improvements to their facilities.

In addition, depending on the project being completed, funding may be available through the Leader Transitional programme. The programme is delivered through Local Action Groups (LAGs) in each of the 28 LEADER sub-regional areas around the country. Interested applicants should make contact with the relevant LAG to discuss the eligibility of the project and the funding that may be available.

While the exact allocations for programmes will be decided as part of the annual budgetary process, I hope to secure continued funding for all of the Department's schemes which support communities, building on the strong performance of these schemes in recent years.

Broadband Infrastructure

Questions (105)

Richard Bruton

Question:

105. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will consider commissioning a study on the potential broadband and other infrastructures of the future to transform the quality of life in rural communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45044/22]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

As Minister for Rural and Community Development, it is obvious to me that there is no limit on the ambition and creativity of rural communities. Through my engagement in a number of projects supported by my department, I have seen first hand the impact of innovative new technologies applied to rural settings.

My department's Digital Innovation Programme has invested almost €3M into local authority-led pilot projects across the country since 2018. These projects range from life-saving initiatives using Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, to tourism projects in Kerry and Sligo using digital connectivity to enhance the visitor experience. In Malin Beg, Donegal, we supported the community to resolve a long-standing connectivity issue that had prevented residents from being able to access the internet or from making a mobile phone call. Malin Beg now has 4G coverage and a remote working hub.

My Department also co-funded the WiFi4EU programme in Ireland, extending the impact of the EU's ground-breaking public connectivity initiative. The WiFi4EU network now boasts c.1,000 free public WiFi hotspots in towns, villages and cities nationwide.

As I consider further supports for digital development in rural areas, I must ensure that there is coherence in our approach and that the public benefit remains to the forefront. On that basis, I believe that the Public BCP project offers a significant opportunity to anchor much of the coming digital development work in communities.

While the Public BCP project was originally envisaged as a WiFi only community programme, it has quickly evolved into a sophisticated and complex project that, when complete, will provide for an almost limitless suite of digitally-enabled services

Since 2020, my department has trialled a number of schemes at Public BCPs under the thematic headings: eHealth, Remote Work, Training and Education, and Arts and Culture. The findings from these pilots have proven very useful and have, in many cases, highlighted unknown opportunities.

Accordingly, I have directed my officials to prepare a Public BCP Development Strategy. This strategy will be drafted in consultation with the communities that the Public BCPs serve and will place these publicly accessible facilities at the heart of the rural digital revolution.

My officials have already begun engaging with colleagues across government and further afield to identify schemes and programmes that will leverage the high-speed broadband now available at each site and add value for local communities.

Through the implementation of Our Rural Future, we will continue to leverage the benefits that greater digital connectivity and innovative technologies and infrastructures can bring to rural Ireland.

Rural Schemes

Questions (106)

Holly Cairns

Question:

106. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her views on increasing the annual funding for the CLÁR programme. [44966/22]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The CLÁR programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas.

The programme was re-launched in 2016 following a number of years when the scheme was closed to new applications. Measures to be included in the CLÁR programme are reviewed and revised, if appropriate, each year. CLÁR has made significant investments at community level the length and breadth of the country. Funding of almost €55 million has been approved for over 2,000 projects since its re-launch.

I allocated €7 million to this year's programme, which I launched in February last. This represents an increase of €1.5 million on last year’s budget.

The measures being funded under this year are:

- Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities and Amenities

- Measure 2: Mobility, Cancer Care and Community First Responders Transport

- Measure 3: ‘Our Islands’

Details of the successful applications are published on my Department’s website. Projects funded include astro-turfs, sensory gardens, handball alleys, outdoor cinemas, hurling walls, basketball courts, walkways, public toilets, community gyms, youth hubs, and community cafés.

Any decision in relation to future funding levels for the CLÁR programme is subject to the annual budgetary process and the capital funding allocations set out in the National Development Plan.

Insurance Coverage

Questions (107)

Paul Murphy

Question:

107. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the steps that she is taking to address the cost of insurance for community organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45136/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development

My Department is currently working to assist in addressing the impact the cost and availability of insurance is having on community organisations.

In publishing the National Volunteering Strategy 2021-2025, Government has acknowledged the importance of volunteering to the well-being of the nation, and set out a plan for the delivery of an agreed and ambitious vision. The Strategy, launched in December 2020, is a whole-of-government framework to support the volunteering sector, the purpose of which is to recognise, support and promote the unique value and contribution of volunteers to Irish society.

Action 23 of the Strategy focuses on the cost and availability of insurance for volunteering activities. It aims to represent the views of the sector in relation to the impact of the cost and availability of public liability insurance on volunteering, through engagement with the Insurance Reform sub-group of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Investment, which was established to implement the Government’s insurance reform agenda.

Work has commenced on implementing Action 23 of the Strategy. My Department is currently working with stakeholders to undertake a review of the impact of the cost and availability of public liability insurance on volunteering. Once complete, the findings of the review and its recommendations will assist in informing our interactions with the Insurance Reform sub-group.

Departmental Schemes

Questions (108)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

Question:

108. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding streams that are available within her Department for allotments and community gardens; the level of take-up of those funding streams; if there are plans to expand that funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45079/22]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

I 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, which is administered at a local level by local authorities. The 2022 Programme is now closed for applications and details of successful applications are published on my Department's website. Funding of over €10 million was approved under Measure 1 and included a number of community gardens.

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.

Energy Prices

Questions (109)

John Lahart

Question:

109. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will heed the pleas of those in the voluntary and community sector who are in real financial pain as a result of the energy crisis with regard to the costs of running their services and operations; and if she will commit to ensuring that Budget 2023 reflects the need to provide additional supports to meet those costs. [45102/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development

I am aware of the challenges facing community groups in relation to running costs. In November 2021, I launched the €9m Community Activities Fund to support community and voluntary groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with their running costs such as utility (Electricity, Heating charges) or insurance bills.

Groups were also be able to use the funding to carry out necessary repairs and/or improvements to their facilities as well as the purchase of equipment. This scheme is part of the Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) and is administered by the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs). The Community Activities Fund is now closed to applicants. It is hoped to run another CEP later in 2022, however, details of this programme are not yet confirmed. I would advise the local groups to check www.gov.ie/drcd on a regular basis for updates and to also make contact with their LCDCs for further details on the programme.

While the exact allocations for programmes will be decided as part of the annual budgetary process, I hope to secure continued funding for all of the Department's schemes which support communities, building on the strong performance of these schemes in recent years.

Rural Schemes

Questions (110)

Alan Farrell

Question:

110. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her views on the development of outdoor adventure projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44482/22]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

Our Rural Future, the Rural Development Policy 2021-2025, acknowledges that outdoor recreation plays a key role in achieving the ambition for rural Ireland to be a destination of choice for outdoor activities and adventure tourism.

A National Outdoor Recreation Strategy (NORS) is currently being developed by my Department in conjunction with Comhairle na Tuaithe and is due to be launched before the year end. It will provide a vision and an overarching framework for the growth and development of outdoor recreation in Ireland, including outdoor adventure projects, which I see as an important component of the outdoor recreation sector.

Over the last number of years, my Department has made unprecedented investment in our outdoor recreation amenities, through the Department’s Outdoor Infrastructure Recreation Scheme (ORIS). The Scheme funds the development and enhancement of outdoor recreational infrastructure and since 2016 it has approved funding of almost €93 million for more than 1,400 projects.

The Department’s Walks Scheme also facilitates the development and maintenance of key walking trails. The scheme is administered by Local Development Companies who deliver the scheme in their area on behalf of the Department. There are now 50 trails operational under the scheme with almost 2,200 participants (farmers/landowners) receiving payment for the maintenance of the trails. Another 29 trails have been approved to join, and work is currently underway to bring these on to the Scheme.

I am confident that continued support for the outdoor recreation sector can help deliver on the Government's vision for rural Ireland, as outlined in Our Rural Future.

Cost of Living Issues

Questions (111)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

111. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her views on the way to alleviate the cost-of-living increases for communities in urban and rural areas in the course of the next twelve months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45095/22]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

I am acutely aware of the increase in cost of living and consumer prices in recent months, especially the increase in fuel and other energy prices including home heating oil. The Government has designed a package of measures to alleviate the impact of increased energy prices on all households, both rural and urban.

The package of measures includes:

- an energy credit of €200 including VAT, estimated to impact just over 2 million households;

- a lump sum payment of €125 on the fuel allowance paid to 390,000 recipients;

- an additional lump sum payment of €100 paid to all households in receipt of the fuel allowance;

- a temporary reduction in public transport fares of 20% from the end of April to the end of the year. This will impact approximately 800,000 daily users of Bus Éireann, Iarnród Éireann, Dublin Bus, Go Ahead, Luas, DART and Local Link services;

- a reduction of the Drug Payment Scheme from €144 to €80 benefitting just over 70,000 families;

- the working family payment budget increase was brought forward from 1 June to 1 April; and

- reduced caps for multiple children on school transport fees to €500 per family post primary and €150 for primary school children.

From my own Department’s perspective, I launched Our Rural Future, a national Rural Development Policy for 2021-2025 last year with the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, and Minister Eamon Ryan.

The policy provides a blueprint for the sustainable development and investment in rural Ireland over the five years from 2021 to 2025. It outlines a vision for a thriving rural Ireland that is integral to our national economic, social, environmental and cultural wellbeing, which is built on the interdependence of urban and rural areas, and which recognises the centrality of people, the importance of vibrant and lived-in rural places, and the potential to create quality jobs and sustain our shared environment.

My Department continues to support communities in rural Ireland and in 2021 over €344 million was invested. Included in this support is the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, which has provided €278 million to projects in rural Ireland since its inception.

Under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, almost €113 million has been approved for more than 1,400 projects across the country since 2016. A New Building Acquisition Measure under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme providing €400,000 per Local Authority has also been introduced this year. The LEADER Programme provided support to 867 projects to the value of over €43 million in 2021. The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme also provided almost €19 million to support 273 projects last year.

A new €15 million Community Centre Investment Fund has been announced this year and I have increased Local Improvement Scheme funding to €11 million. This brings investment in rural Ireland under the scheme to €90 million since 2017.

My Department will continue to support communities in rural Ireland throughout 2022 and beyond through a range of schemes such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Clár Programme, the Local Improvement Scheme, the Community Centre Capital Fund, the LEADER Transitional Programme, the Community Enhancement Programme, the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) and the Community Services Programme.

My Department’s policies and funding programmes aim to deliver sustainable outcomes that positively impact and support urban and rural communities, informed by extensive engagement. This ongoing engagement is vital in monitoring urban and rural community activity and in identifying areas where interventions such as targeted supports or funding are required and responding to the needs of communities.

Library Services

Questions (112)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

112. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide details in respect of discussions with Louth County Council to progress or develop a new public library in Dunleer, County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45047/22]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The provision of library services, including the provision of library buildings, is primarily a matter for local authorities in their capacity as library authorities under the Local Government Act 2001. Accordingly, the development of a new public library in Dunleer is first and foremost a matter for Louth County Council.

As the Deputy may be aware, Louth County Council have been exploring options for the improvement of library services in Dunleer as a result of increased usage and membership.

Louth County Council has been in correspondence with my Department regarding potential premises for the provision of library services in Dunleer. However, due to commercial sensitivities it would not be appropriate for me to provide further details.

I wish to assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to engage with Louth County Council on this matter.

Rural Schemes

Questions (113)

Colm Burke

Question:

113. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the streetscapes and shopfronts scheme will be operational from 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44999/22]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

Last year I introduced the Streetscape Enhancement Measure, which is part of the wider Town and Village Renewal Scheme. The measure is administered on behalf of my Department by the local authorities. It is targeted at towns or villages with populations of up to 15,000 people.

The improvement of the visual appearance of our streetscapes increases pride and confidence in our towns and villages, making them more attractive places to live, work and do business.

The Streetscape Enhancement Measure supports a project proposal for one town or village per eligible local authority which may include activity such as painting (including murals), signage replacement, shopfront improvement, lighting, and canopies.

I allocated €2.6 million this year under the Measure and on the 30th August I announced the successful nominated towns for 2022. Local authorities must now finalise the project proposals in these towns. In order to allow sufficient time for local authorities to engage with stakeholders and prepare the proposals the deadline for submission is Friday, 7th October 2022. Local authorities have until 30th September 2023 to complete the approved works. The possible implementation of further iterations of the Measure from 2023 will be kept under review as part of my Department's ongoing management of its suite of investment schemes.

Rural Schemes

Questions (114)

Holly Cairns

Question:

114. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the Programme for Government commitment for an expanded town and village renewal scheme to bring vacant and derelict buildings back into use and promote residential occupancy; when communities can start applying for this funding; and the estimated amount available to each local authority. [44964/22]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The Town Centre First (TCF) Policy is a major cross-government policy that aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres. The policy is a key deliverable under Our Rural Future, the Government's Rural Development Policy for the period to 2025. This policy will align with a range of funding sources such as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the new Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund, the Rural Regeneration Development Fund, and the Urban Regeneration Development Fund.

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) aims to assist with the rejuvenation of rural towns and villages throughout Ireland, making them more attractive places to live, work and visit. In line with the commitment in Our Rural Future, the 2021 scheme prioritised the renovation of derelict and vacant buildings in our town centres, with a view to bringing these buildings back into use. The scale of projects eligible under the scheme was also increased with funding of up to €500,000 available. On 25th February last I announced funding of almost €18.5 million for 99 projects under the 2021 scheme, and a further €850,000 for 19 project development measure projects. Details of the successful projects are available on www.gov.ie/drcd.

In June, I launched the 2022 Town and Village Renewal Scheme, again prioritising projects that bring vacant and derelict buildings back into use and promote residential occupancy in town centres. In addition to the 2021 measures, I introduced two new measures for 2022 - the Marketing Scheme Measure and the Building Acquisition Measure.

The Marketing Scheme Measure allowed each local authority to apply for €50,000 for a marketing campaign to attract remote workers and mobile talent to their counties; and the Building Acquisition Measure allowed up to €400,000 per local authority for the purchase of buildings for use as multi-purpose community spaces. In July, I approved funding of €7.5m under the Building Acquisition Measure for 36 vacant and derelict buildings to be purchased by local authorities in rural towns and villages for development as community assets. In August, I announced €2.6m for the Streetscape Enhancement Measure to add colour and vibrancy to our town centres.

Project applications under the other TVRS measures are currently being assessed and an announcement of the successful projects is expected in the coming months.

Road Projects

Questions (115)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

115. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if local authorities have the capacity to clear local improvement scheme lists in an acceptable time; the number of roads in County Kerry for which the local authority expressed an ability to improve in 2021 and 2022; and the subsequent number of roads for which funding was granted in both years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45004/22]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

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

There is strong demand under LIS, not only in Kerry but right across rural Ireland. The scheme was reintroduced in 2017 following a number of years with no dedicated funding. From 2017 to 2021, improvement works have been completed on over 3,000 non-public roads and lanes benefiting over 13,300 landowners and residents in these rural areas. Since the LIS scheme was reintroduced in 2017, aggregate investment has now surpassed the €100 million mark, which is clear testament to Government's commitment in Our Rural Future to improve rural connectivity.

In 2021, €1.2 million in total was allocated to Kerry County Council under the Scheme. A total of 18 LIS roads were submitted and all were approved for funding.

I was pleased, as part of Budget 2022, to announce an increase in the base funding from €10.5 million to €11 million this year. I announced details of the first round of funding under LIS in early April, which included €704,030 for County Kerry.

To address the strong demand, and following the identification of savings in other capital areas, I was delighted to be in a position to double the overall provision for the Scheme to €22 million in August. Under the second funding round, I increased the allocation to Kerry by a further €791,460, bringing the total allocated this year to almost €1.5 million.

Kerry County Council submitted 22 LIS roads for upgrading works this year and these have all been approved under the Scheme.

County Kerry has been allocated over €6.2 million since the re-introduction of the Scheme.

Rural Schemes

Questions (116)

Alan Farrell

Question:

116. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will report on Leader funding, in the context of Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan and the implementation of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45063/22]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

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

I was delighted to welcome the recent announcement that the European Commission has confirmed their approval of Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan for 2023-2027, which includes the LEADER programme. This approval is a key step in the delivery of the next LEADER programme.

A number of further steps will now be completed by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in advance of bringing the CAP Plan to Government for final approval in the coming weeks.

My Department’s focus now is to finalise the design of the new LEADER programme in conjunction with key stakeholders

As part of the new CAP Strategic Plan, the Government has committed significant funding of €180m to LEADER for 2023-2027. I can confirm that all of this funding will be allocated to the Local Action Groups for the implementation of LEADER.

In addition, transitional funding of €70m was provided for the LEADER Programme for 2021 and 2022 to ensure that there was no gap in funding prior to the commencement of the 2023-2027 programme.

The process to select the Local Action Groups to implement the new programme which will be open, transparent and competitive will be conducted over two stages. I hope to confirm full details of this process shortly.

The first stage will be an Expression of Interest by eligible groups followed by a more detailed stage which will see them develop their LEADER strategies. All groups that are successful in Stage 1 will be provided with funding to assist with the costs associated with developing a Local Development Strategy in Stage 2 of the process. A fund of €2 million has been ring-fenced for this purpose.

It is important that the key public and private stakeholders in communities across Ireland come together in partnership to deliver a LEADER programme that will build on the fantastic success of the programme over the last 30 years and to ensure that LEADER continues to play a central role in supporting rural communities into the future.

Rural Schemes

Questions (117)

Neale Richmond

Question:

117. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the supports that she is providing to ensure that access to connected hubs is available to all; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44788/22]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

Our Rural Future, Ireland’s Rural Development Policy, was published in March 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.

Accordingly, last year I launched the National Hub Network together with its online booking platform, connectedhubs.ie. It is a single network that provides users with information on the location of, and facilities available at, remote working hubs throughout Ireland.

There are currently 281 enterprise and co-working facilities across the country on-boarded to the connectedhubs.ie platform. This number is growing all the time meaning that we are well on track to meet our target of 400 remote working hubs nationwide by 2025.

Today there are Connected Hubs available in every county and more are coming into the Network on a weekly basis. My Department continues to provide significant funding for the establishment and development of hubs through a range of schemes.

In terms of support for individuals to use Connected Hubs, in June I launched the Connected Hubs Voucher Scheme to provide 10,000 hot-desk sessions for free over the lifetime of the Scheme. Phase 1 of the Scheme concluded in August, and the second phase of the scheme will open shortly.

I am confident that the continued development of Connected Hubs can make a very real contribution to the delivery of the ambition for rural Ireland set out in Our Rural Future.

Road Projects

Questions (118)

Seán Canney

Question:

118. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will consider providing more funding to local authorities due to the huge backlog of applications for local improvement schemes for rural roads; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44767/22]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

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. Between 2017 and 2021, my Department 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 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. Following a review of savings within the Department, I have recently announced an additional €11 million for the scheme, so doubling the 2022 allocation to €22 million. This brings the allocation since 2017 to over €100 million.

Consideration of future funding of the LIS is of course subject to the ongoing budgetary process and the capital allocations contained in the National Development Plan, but I am confident that the scheme can continue to make a clear contribution to the goals and ambition of Our Rural Future.

Rural Schemes

Questions (119)

Brendan Smith

Question:

119. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide additional funding for the social inclusion and community activation programme in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45114/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development

The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), is our country’s primary social inclusion programme. The current iteration began on 1 January 2018 and will run until the end of 2023. My officials have begun the process of developing a new iteration of SICAP which will begin in 2024. The programme provides funding to tackle poverty and social exclusion at a local level through local engagement and partnerships between disadvantaged individuals, community organisations and public sector agencies.

The funding for SICAP is subject to the annual budgetary estimates process and I was delighted to have secured a 10% increase for SICAP for 2022, the largest increase since the programme was launched.

Earlier this year, an additional €5 million funding was announced to support the Local Development Companies, through SICAP, for the community response to support people arriving from Ukraine.

I recognise the vital work the programme does in helping so many individuals and groups, by improving the life chances of those who are marginalised in society, living in poverty or unemployed, and I will continue to prioritise funding for SICAP within my Department’s overall voted expenditure.

Rural Schemes

Questions (120)

Brendan Smith

Question:

120. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the new Leader programme will be operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45113/22]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

I was delighted to welcome the recent announcement that the European Commission has confirmed their approval of Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan for 2023-2027, which includes the LEADER programme. This approval is a key step in the delivery of the next LEADER programme.

A number of further steps will now be completed by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in advance of bringing the CAP Plan to Government for final approval in the coming weeks.

My Department’s focus now is to finalise the design of the new LEADER programme in conjunction with key stakeholders.

The process to select the Local Action Groups to implement the new programme which will be open, transparent and competitive and will be conducted over two stages. I hope to confirm full details of this process shortly.

The first stage will be an Expression of Interest by eligible groups followed by a more detailed stage which will see them develop their LEADER strategies. All groups that are successful in Stage 1 will be provided with funding to assist with the costs associated with developing a Local Development Strategy in Stage 2 of the process. This is a much more detailed stage, with some 6 months being provided for strategy development. A fund of €2 million has been ring-fenced for this purpose.

It is now important that the key public and private stakeholders in communities across Ireland come together in partnership to deliver a LEADER programme that will build on the fantastic success of the programme over the last 30 years and to ensure that LEADER continues to play a central role in supporting rural communities into the future.