Written Answers Nos. 1315-1332
1315. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has engaged with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner in respect of a person (details supplied) and their right to have personal information corrected that is held by his Department; and if he will clarify the position and or provide a timeline in respect of their employment in his Department. [55609/22]
View answerI advise the Deputy that while I cannot share personal details relating to an individual, I can state that my Department engages and cooperates fully with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner.
I can assure the Deputy that had that organisation issued an instruction or given advice to my Department, including in relation to former employees, it would have been implemented promptly.
1316. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details of the total amounts distributed under the business model adjustment scheme for the inshore fleet. [55645/22]
View answerThe Brexit Inshore Fisheries Business Model Adjustment Scheme was developed in response to the recommendation by the Seafood Task Force for a deminimis short-term support scheme for the inshore sector to help it deal with the difficult trading conditions that have arisen because of Brexit. It will also help the sector transition to longer-term restructuring measures.
It operated over the January to March period and is closed since 31 March. The scheme was designed to assist inshore fishers to adjust their business and marketing plans to the post Brexit environment. BIM provided four dedicated online training modules to participants and grant aid of up to €4,000 to help put into practice the learnings. Applicants had to complete the training before payment could be made. As of 3 November, some 785 successful applications from inshore fishers received total grant aid of €2.6 million and a breakdown of these payments is provided in the table below.
|
County |
Count |
Paid |
|
Clare |
11 |
€ 41,400.00 |
|
Cork |
170 |
€ 527,900.00 |
|
Donegal |
110 |
€ 354,200.00 |
|
Dublin |
31 |
€ 116,200.00 |
|
Galway |
120 |
€ 368,200.00 |
|
Kerry |
82 |
€ 273,400.00 |
|
Louth |
34 |
€ 136,000.00 |
|
Mayo |
83 |
€ 277,400.00 |
|
Other counties |
7 |
€ 25,400.00 |
|
Sligo |
14 |
€ 46,900.00 |
|
Waterford |
43 |
€ 142,100.00 |
|
Wexford |
60 |
€ 221,800.00 |
|
Wicklow |
20 |
€ 78,700.00 |
|
Total |
785 |
€ 2,609,600.00 |
1317. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps that he is taking to ensure the processing of forestry licences from private companies. [55649/22]
View answerThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine had made significant progress to deliver a licensing system which meets the needs of all those who apply for forestry licences.
This is regardless of whether that application comes from a private individual or company which wishes to plant trees, a forest owner who wishes to fell their crop, or Coillte who wishes to supply sawmills with product from their estate. Each licence has a value, particularly to the rural economy where the timber is harvested, transported and processed.
Private felling licence output in 2022 is up on last year with over 1 362 year issued year to date and in quarter three, Private felling significantly exceeded Coillte felling with 472 licences vs 294 licences
In the interest of full transparency, details of all licences issued by category are available on the weekly dashboard. This is published on the Departmental website and is made available to all interested parties as well as being submitted to the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine each week.
1318. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department and all bodies under her Department's aegis have reviewed their estates portfolio in the context of identifying unoccupied buildings that may be suitable for use in the context of meeting the accommodation needs of persons arriving in Ireland from Ukraine. [54223/22]
View answer1319. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number and type of unused and-or unoccupied buildings in her Department's estates portfolio and all bodies under her Department's aegis. [54241/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1318 and 1319 together.
My Department occupies offices in Trinity Point, Dublin 2 and Government Buildings in Ballina, Co. Mayo. Our offices in Trinity Point are leased on our behalf by the Office of Public Works (OPW) while the building we occupy in Ballina is in the ownership of the OPW. My Department does not possess any unused or unoccupied land or buildings which would be suitable for accommodation.
There are 4 agencies under the aegis of my Department: Pobal, The Charities Regulatory Authority, Water Safety Ireland, and the Western Development Commission. They are all independent agencies who manage their own property matters, corporate affairs, corporate compliance/policies, and staffing issues.
1320. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there is any assistance currently available for a community group (details supplied) in County Laois; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54246/22]
View answerMy Department introduced a range of supports to help community and voluntary organisations meet the challenges they faced during and after COVID-19.
For instance, in 2020, €4.2 million was provided under the COVID-19 Emergency Fund which targeted help at groups participating in the Government’s “Community Call” initiative.
The Community Activities Fund in 2021 was a €9 million fund provided to support community and voluntary groups impacted by COVID-19, helping them with their bills and maintenance.
The Community Enhancement Programme provides vital supports to assist local groups to re-open their facilities post COVID-19. The programme provided €4.5m funding in 2021 for small capital grants for the improvement of facilities. An iteration of the scheme will run again in 2022. The details of this scheme are currently being developed by officials within my Department and further details will be announced in the coming weeks.
In general, I would encourage all organisations to check on the www.gov.ie website in order to be aware of funding opportunities as they become available.
1321. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her views on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54448/22]
View answerAll applications to the Community Centres Investment Fund are subject to a competitive assessment process based on the assessment criteria as set out in the fund guidelines.
Category 1 applicants were notified of the outcome of this process last month. Details of successful applicants are available on my department’s website at www.gov.ie/drcd.
The group the Deputy refers to applied for Category 2 funding under the Community Centres Investment Fund. Due to the high level of applications to the fund, the appraisal process is currently ongoing for Category 2 and 3. It is expected to be later in quarter 4 of 2022 when applicants for these categories are notified of the outcome of the application and appraisal process.
1322. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she has reviewed correspondence (details supplied). [54468/22]
View answerThe LEADER Programme is a key intervention of Our Rural Future, the Government’s Policy for rural development for the period 2021-2025, which aims to deliver a range of actions to rural communities over the lifetime of the policy.
€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 and an additional €180 million from 2023 to 2027, thus maintaining the level of funding provided for the 2014-2020 programming period. The maintenance of the €250m funding allocation will underpin the continued contribution of the LEADER approach in delivering on the Government’s vision for Rural Ireland.
As announced recently, the Expression of Interest stage to select the Groups to deliver the next LEADER programme is now open. The allocations for each LEADER area was also announced as part of this process. The process of selecting the LEADER groups will be open, transparent and competitive.
Importantly, all of the €180 million will be allocated up front to LEADER areas. This is a change from the current programme where €30m was withheld to fund initiatives delivered at a national level such as the Food Initiative and Cooperation Measure.
A number of factors were considered when deciding on the funding allocations. These included providing a minimum allocation of €3 million to each sub-regional area with the remaining funding distributed based on the population and deprivation level of the area. This ensures that funding is targeted at those most in need of LEADER support.
I am pleased to confirm that the distribution of the funding recognises that County Cork is comprised of three sub-regional areas and has been allocated €16.8m for the 2023-2027 period. When taken in conjunction with the transitional funding for Cork in 2021 and 2022, this gives a total LEADER allocation of €20.9m for Cork for the 2021-2027 period. For the corresponding 7 year period of 2014-2020, County Cork had a core programme funding allocation of €13.9m, when funding received under nationally delivered initiatives is excluded.
The overall Cork allocation will be broken down between the three constituent sub-regional areas shortly.
I look forward to the implementation of the new LEADER programme and to ensuring that LEADER can continue to deliver real benefits to rural communities across Ireland.
1323. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the community services programme will be open to new applicants; the latest criteria for the applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54655/22]
View answerMy department's Community Services Programme (CSP) supports over 430 community-based organisations, to provide local services through a social enterprise model. CSP currently provides an annual co-funding contribution of €19,033 for each full-time equivalent (FTE) position being supported, and, where warranted, €32,000 towards the cost of employing a manager.
The CSP contribution is not aligned to the minimum wage and does not meet the full salary cost of supported posts. The contribution must be co-funded by other sources, for example, from income received from the public for use of their facilities and services.
My department have been working on the restructuring of the CSP, since the publication of the report on the independent review of the CSP in 2020 by Indecon International Economic Consultants. The redesigned programme will be introduced from January 2023 with a new funding rate allocation model, to replace the existing flat rate model.
Pending the transition to the new restructured programme, the scheme is closed to new applications through the Expression of Interest process. However, it is anticipated that the programme will open calls to address identified gaps in service delivery in late 2022, for new entrant Expressions of Interest applications to be submitted. Any additional entrants will be considered in light of available budgets.
In the interim, as open calls under the CSP can be a lengthy process, if an organisation currently requires immediate supports they should consider contacting their Local Development Company or Local Authority Local Community Development Committee, who may be able to provide some guidance on other supports available at this time.
If an organisation wishes to be contacted should a targeted call open later in 2022, please provide relevant contact details to csp@drcd.gov.ie and we will keep them on file and notify them at the appropriate time.
1324. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will consider and implement a scheme using funds from the Dormant Accounts Fund to finance the compulsory purchase of derelict properties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54830/22]
View answerThe Dormant Accounts Act provides for a scheme to disburse funds for the purposes of programmes or projects to assist (i) the personal and social development of persons who are economically or socially disadvantaged, (ii) the educational development of persons who are educationally disadvantaged, or (iii) persons with a disability. As such, a scheme to finance the compulsory purchase of derelict properties would not align with these statutory requirements.
It should be noted that a Dormant Accounts Action Plan is developed each year, which details the measures to be funded from the Dormant Accounts Fund. To prepare these annual action plans relevant Government Departments put forward proposals for funding within their own policy areas, and each Department is then responsible for the administration and delivery of their measures within the action plan. These action plans are available here (www.gov.ie/en/collection/769773-dormant-accounts-fund-annual-action-plans-and-reports/).
The level of funding currently being disbursed from the Dormant Accounts Fund is in line with a maximum amount that is consistent with the long term sustainability of funding. Total funding disbursed in 2021 was €51.7 million, and a similar amount is expected to be disbursed this year.
Finally, outside of the Dormant Accounts Fund, and in line with Our Rural Future, the Department of Rural and Community Development provides significant funding to address the issue of dereliction in rural towns across the country through schemes such as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. For example, in July of this year there was approval of €7.5 million in funding for local authorities to purchase 36 derelict and vacant properties for development as community facilities under the new Building Acquisition Measure.
1325. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of local authorities that have applied for funding through the community enhancement programme and town and village renewal fund since they were launched in order to develop or improve playgrounds in their local area; the local authorities that have applied for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54979/22]
View answerThe Community Enhancement Programme provides vital supports to community groups in disadvantaged areas across Ireland. The programme has provided over €43 million in funding to over 17,000 projects since 2018 with small grants for the improvement of facilities. An iteration of the scheme will run again in 2022. The details of this scheme are currently being developed by officials within my Department and further details will be announced in the coming weeks.
Through the Community Enhancement Programme, all Local Authorities have received funding to develop or improve playgrounds in their local area.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. The Scheme is funded under Project Ireland 2040 as part of Our Rural Future. It is managed on behalf of my Department by the local authorities. Since the launch of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme in 2016, over €113 million has been allocated to more than 1,400 projects across Ireland. Each year the priorities for the scheme are reviewed and revised as appropriate by my Department. The projects which have been funded cover a wide range of activities, including upgrading public spaces, improving community amenities, as well as supporting enterprise centres and digital hubs. I can confirm to the deputy 17 Local Authorities were granted funding under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme for playgrounds as part of larger projects.
1326. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the criteria used in allocating funds to each county under the forthcoming LEADER programme; the weighting or marks awarded to each criteria; the geographic area and population of the area in each county included in the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55180/22]
View answer1329. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will detail in tabular form, in descending order, the allocation of LEADER funding for each county, per eligible population; the reason for the large disparity in the allocations on this basis to the different counties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55241/22]
View answer1330. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she intends publishing the criteria used to allocate LEADER funding to each county under the forthcoming LEADER programme; the way these criteria were used in relation to each county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55242/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1326, 1329 and 1330 together.
LEADER is a key programme within Our Rural Future, and as I announced recently the Expression of Interest stage to select the Groups to deliver the next LEADER programme is now open. The allocation for each LEADER area was also announced as part of this process.
The procedure to select the LEADER groups will be open, transparent and competitive. Central to the formation of the Groups will be a clear partnership approach, with public and private interest groups coming together to deliver the programme in rural communities all across Ireland.
As you will be aware, €180 million has been committed to the new LEADER programme for 2023-2027. When taken together with the €70m provided by the Government for 2021 and 2022, this maintains the €250m funding for LEADER in the corresponding 7 year programme period of 2014-2020.
A number of factors were considered when deciding on the funding allocations. These included providing a minimum allocation of €3 million to each sub-regional area with the remaining funding distributed based on population density and level of deprivation of the area. The minimum allocation of €3m per sub-regional area accounts for €84m of the overall allocation of €180m. Of the remaining €96m, €48m is distributed based on the population density of the county compared to the national average. The remaining €48m is distributed based on the deprivation index for the county.
This approach is similar to the approach taken in the previous LEADER programme, with the relevant population and deprivation figures updated to take account of the passage of time.
This approach ensures that the funding is targeted to the rural communities most in need of LEADER support in a transparent and fair manner.
I look forward to seeing the new programme being implemented and to ensuring that LEADER can continue to deliver real benefits to rural communities across Ireland.
The funding allocation to each county is provided in Table 1 below.
Table 1
2023-2027 LEADER Funding Allocations by county in descending order
|
County |
Allocation |
|
Cork* |
€16.8m |
|
Donegal |
€10.4m |
|
Galway |
€9.0m |
|
Mayo |
€8.8m |
|
Kerry |
€8.2m |
|
Tipperary |
€7.8m |
|
Wexford |
€7.3m |
|
Limerick |
€6.9m |
|
Clare |
€6.8m |
|
Roscommon |
€6.8m |
|
Cavan |
€6.4m |
|
Leitrim |
€6.3m |
|
Offaly |
€6.3m |
|
Kilkenny |
€6.1m |
|
Sligo |
€6.1m |
|
Waterford |
€6.1m |
|
Monaghan |
€6.0m |
|
Longford |
€5.8m |
|
Laois |
€5.7m |
|
Westmeath |
€5.7m |
|
Meath |
€5.5m |
|
Kildare |
€5.4m |
|
Wicklow |
€5.3m |
|
Carlow |
€4.9m |
|
Louth |
€4.9m |
|
Dublin Rural |
€4.7m |
|
Total |
€180m |
*County Cork includes three sub-regional areas of North Cork, South Cork and West Cork, the allocation indicated will be distributed across the three sub-regional areas.
1327. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extra funding allocated under the forthcoming LEADER programme to counties with inhabited offshore islands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55181/22]
View answerLEADER is a key programme within Our Rural Future, and as I announced recently the Expression of Interest stage to select the Groups to deliver the next LEADER programme is now open. The allocations for each LEADER area were also announced as part of this process.
€180 million has been committed to the new LEADER programme for 2023-2027. When taken together with the €70m provided by the Government for 2021 and 2022, this maintains the €250m funding for LEADER in the corresponding 7 year programme period of 2014-2020.
A number of factors were considered when deciding on the funding allocations. These included providing a minimum allocation of €3 million to each sub-regional area with the remaining funding distributed based on population density and level of deprivation of the area. The off-shore islands will continue to be aligned with their relevant sub-regional area with the funding provision for the islands included in the overall allocation for the sub-regional area based on the population density and level of deprivation of the county as a whole.
However, I am aware that island communities have particular needs and priorities and, within the context of the emerging National Islands Policy, I envisage that the LEADER programme can play a key role in delivering on these needs.
In recognition of this, a number of important elements are included in the model for the new programme.
Any LAGs selected in an area that includes island communities will be required to identify in their LEADER strategy specific actions developed in consultation with the island communities themselves and include an indicative budget to implement such actions.
In addition, a representative of the island grouping, in each sub-regional area, must be included in the decision-making body of the LAG.
It is important that the key public and private stakeholders in communities across Ireland come together in partnership to deliver the new LEADER programme.
I look forward to seeing the new programme being implemented and to ensuring that LEADER can continue to deliver real benefits to rural communities across Ireland including our island communities.
1328. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the percentage of the LEADER funding allocated to each county that can be spent on administration and the percentage that can be spent on animation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55240/22]
View answerLEADER is a key programme within Our Rural Future, and as announced recently the Expression of Interest stage to select the Groups to deliver the next LEADER programme is now open. The allocation for each LEADER area was also announced as part of this process.
€180 million has been committed to the new LEADER programme for 2023-2027. When taken together with the €70m provided by the Government for 2021 and 2022, this maintains the €250m funding for LEADER in the corresponding 7 year programme period of 2014-2020.
Article 34 of the EU Common Provisions Regulation (2021/1061) allows for support to be provided for the administration costs of the Local Action Groups(LAGs) and the cost of their engagement with communities to generate projects, which is also referred to as "animation" costs.
In line with this Regulation, the maximum percentage of funding that can be spent by the LAGs on administration and animation is 25% of the LEADER expenditure incurred in the delivery of their Local Development Strategy (LDS).
The division of the available funding on each of these elements will be a matter for each individual LAG subject to the maximum limit not being breached.
I look forward to seeing the new programme being implemented and to ensuring that LEADER can continue to deliver real benefits to rural communities across Ireland.
1331. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of officials in her Department who have undertaken the Harvard Business School advanced management programme in the past ten years to date; the grade of each official; and the cost for each attendee, in tabular form. [55488/22]
View answerThe Department of Rural and Community Development was established in July 2017 and no official from the Department has undertaken the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Programme in the intervening period.
1332. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will include an organisation (details supplied) in the recently announced men's shed support allocation. [55509/22]
View answerThe emergence of the Men’s Sheds in recent years has been a very positive development for communities across Ireland. They provide a safe, comfortable and inclusive environment where people of all ages can share skills and work on meaningful projects and connect with their communities.
I was delighted to continue my Department’s funding support for Men’s Sheds by announcing funding of €800,000 last week. The initiative will see grants of up to €2,000 provided to over 400 Men’s Sheds nationwide, to assist them with running costs such as electricity or insurance bills.
The individual grants will be distributed to the Men’s Sheds via its representative body, the Irish Men’s Sheds Association (IMSA). I would advise the group the Deputy refers to, to contact the IMSA to be considered for funding. In general, I would encourage all organisations to check on the www.gov.ie website in order to be aware of funding opportunities as they become available.
