Written Answers Nos. 338-345
338. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the dates and attendees at all meetings he has had with an organisation (details supplied) since he assumed office, in tabular form. [56093/22]
View answerRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Ministerial meetings with the State bodies under the remit of my Department form part of the overall corporate governance oversight of those bodies. Since my appointment as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine on 2nd September 2020 I have met with RCÉ as outlined in the table below.
|
Date |
Attendees |
|
Date |
Attendees |
|
1 October 2020 |
Minister McConalogue, Principal Officer. RCÉ: CEO, Chairperson |
|
17 June 2021 |
Minister McConalogue, Assistant Secretary General, Principal Officer. RCÉ: CEO, Chairperson |
|
1 October 2021 |
Minister McConalogue, Assistant Secretary General, Principal Officer RCÉ: CEO (interim), CFO, Chairperson |
|
20 September 2022 |
Minister McConalogue, Principal Officer. RCÉ: CEO (interim), Chairperson |
In addition, my officials are in regular contact with executives of RCÉ and there are regular governance meetings at official level throughout the year.
339. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the dates and attendees at all meetings he has had with an organisation (details supplied) since he assumed office, in tabular form. [56094/22]
View answerHorse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion, and development of the horse racing industry.
Ministerial meetings with the State bodies under the remit of my Department form part of the overall corporate governance of those bodies. Since my appointment as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine on 2nd September 2020 I have met with HRI outlined in the table below.
|
Date |
Attendees |
|
30 September 2020 |
DAFM: Minister McConalogue, Minister of State Heydon, Secretary General, Principal Officer
HRI: Chairperson, CEO, CFO |
|
21 April 2021
|
DAFM: Minister McConalogue, Ministerial Advisor, Assistant Secretary General, Principal Officer
HRI: Chairperson, CEO, CFO, Director of Communications |
|
6 October 2021 |
DAFM: Minister McConalogue, Ministerial Advisor, Assistant Principal.
HRI: Chairperson, Acting CEO, Director of Communications. |
|
5 February 2022 |
DAFM:- Minister McConalogue, Minister of State Heydon, Secretary General, Principal Officer.
HRI: Chairperson, CEO, Director of Communications |
|
20 September 2022 |
DAFM: Minister McConalogue, Principal Officer.
HRI: Chairperson, CEO, CFO. |
In addition, my officials are in regular contact with executives of HRI and there are regular governance meetings at official level throughout the year.
340. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she engaged with the Charities Regulator in respect of an NGO (details supplied); and if so, if she will outline the nature of those engagements. [55919/22]
View answerWhile my Department has been assigned overall policy responsibility for the Charities Regulator, the Regulator is fully independent in the performance of its statutory functions under Section 14 (3) of the Charities Act 2009.
Consequently, it is inappropriate for me, or Department officials, to enter into specific discussions with the Charities Regulator concerning any individual organisation.
341. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide a schedule of the NGOs and charities that have been closed down and sanctioned by the Charities Regulator in each of the years 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, including the reason for the closure order and-or sanction imposed, and the name of the NGO and or charity. [55920/22]
View answerThe Charities Regulatory Authority (the ‘Charities Regulator’) was established in October 2014 pursuant to the Charities Act 2009. The Authority is the State organisation responsible for registering and regulating all of Ireland’s charities, with the mandate to promote good governance practice.
My Department has been assigned responsibility for the Charities Regulator. It is important to note however, that the Regulator is fully independent in the performance of its statutory functions, including investigations into the activities and conduct of charities.
The Charities Regulator operates under the auspices of the Charities Act 2009, and as such is only mandated to deal with charities. The Charities Regulator therefore only regulates NGOs that are charitable organisations.
The Charities Act 2009 does not contain any provisions that allows the Charities Regulator to sanction a charitable organisation by imposing a “closure order”.
In the period 2020, 2021 and 2022 to date, the list of charities which have had an intermediate sanction imposed under section 73 of the Charities Act 2009 is as follows:
- 17/02/2021 – Waterford Area Partnership CLG – Registered Charity Number 20035228
In the period 2020, 2021 and 2022 to date, the Charities Regulator petitioned the High Court pursuant to section 569(1)(e) of the Companies Act 2014 for the winding up of the following charities:
- 07/10/2021 – North Inner City Homeless Limited T/A Inner City Helping Homeless – Registered Charity Number 20101848
In the period 2020, 2021 and 2022 to date, the Charities Regulator has exercised its power under section 64 of the Charities Act 2009 to appoint inspectors to investigate the affairs of a charitable organisation and to prepare a report thereon in such manner as the Charities Regulator shall direct, in relation to the following charities:
- 02/04/2020 – Cabhru Hosing Association Services – Registered Charity Number 20008543 – final report published on 28/07/2021
- 29/04/2020 – ChildFund Ireland – Registered Charity Number 20032913 – final report published on 29/06/2021
- 06/10/2020 – Bóthar – Registered Charity Number 20026592 – statutory investigation paused at request of An Garda Síochána as a criminal investigation is underway
- 26/08/2021 – Irish Wildbird Conservancy T/A Birdwatch Ireland – Registered Charity Number 2008963 - final report published on 9/11/2022
- 15/10/2021 – North Inner City Homeless Limited T/A Inner City Helping Homeless – Registered Charity Number 20101848
- 07/02/2022 – Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals – Registered Charity Number 20008734
- 03/03/2022 – Navan Mental Health Housing Association Limited – Registered Charity Number 20047023 - statutory investigation paused at request of An Garda Síochána as a criminal investigation is underway
342. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide a breakdown of SICAP funding in the Finglas, Dublin 11 area in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55927/22]
View answerMy Department has responsibility for the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2018 – 2023 that 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.
SICAP is managed at a local level by 33 Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), with support from local authorities. It is implemented nationally by 46 Local Development Companies (LDCs) across 51 areas (Lots).
The SICAP budget for Dublin Ballymun, Whitehall & Tolka (2-2) which includes Finglas, Dublin 11 is allocated at Lot level and the annual plan actions are implemented at Lot level. Therefore, it is not possible to provide a breakdown of spend across specific areas within a Lot.
The following table outlines the funding to Dublin Ballymun, Whitehall & Tolka (Lot 2-2) from 2018 to 2022.
|
YEAR |
LOT AREA (Ballymun, Whitehall and Tolka) |
|
2018 |
2-2 |
|
2019 |
2-2 |
|
2020 |
2-2 |
|
2021 |
2-2 |
|
2022 |
2-2 |
343. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide a breakdown of SICAP funding in the Ballymun, Dublin 11 area in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55928/22]
View answerMy Department has responsibility for the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2018 – 2023 that 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.
SICAP is managed at a local level by 33 Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), with support from local authorities. It is implemented nationally by 46 Local Development Companies (LDCs) across 51 areas (Lots).
The SICAP budget for Dublin Ballymun, Whitehall & Tolka (2-2) is allocated at Lot level and the annual plan actions are implemented at Lot level. Therefore, it is not possible to provide a breakdown of spend across specific areas within a Lot.
The following table outlines the funding to Dublin Ballymun, Whitehall & Tolka (Lot 2-2) from 2018 to 2022.
|
YEAR |
LOT AREA (Ballymun, Whitehall and Tolka) |
|
2018 |
2-2 |
|
2019 |
2-2 |
|
2020 |
2-2 |
|
2021 |
2-2 |
|
2022 |
2-2 |
344. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to enhance and expand existing youth and older persons services in Kildare north. [56006/22]
View answerProvision of services for young people is primarily under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and services for older people fall largely under the responsibility of the Minister for Health.
My Department’s mission is to support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland. In delivering on its mission, my Department provides a wide range of strategic interventions, funding programmes and policies to support all cohorts living in our communities, including young people, older people, and people with disabilities.
Funding provided by my Department supports both urban and rural communities and includes supports for sports clubs, youth groups, and voluntary and community groups. In September I announced funding of over €2.75 million for 74 community projects nationwide. This funding, under the CLÁR Programme, will provide sports clubs, schools and community groups with grants of up to €50,000 to develop a range of projects that will benefit people of all ages. The successful projects include astroturf pitches, community gyms, playgrounds, basketball and tennis courts, outdoor pool tables, outdoor cinemas, walkways, public toilets and car park facilities.
Other community supports provided by my Department include the Community Centres Investment Fund and the Community Services Programme.
In October I announced funding of over €12.5 million for the upgrade and development of almost 600 community centres nationwide through the Community Centres Investment Fund. The funding will see improvements to community centres, GAA clubs, parish halls, youth centres, men’s sheds and facilities used by our elderly.
The Community Services Programme (CSP) supports over 2,000 positions in more than 430 community organisations to provide a vast range of local services through a social enterprise model. The CSP supports a range of services and activities that enhance the quality of life of older people and those most vulnerable within our communities, including the provision of meals within centres and via a meals-on-wheels service.
The Dormant Accounts Action Plan 2023, which was published on 8 November, provides a €54.5 million funding package aimed at disadvantaged communities and vulnerable groups across the country. The Action Plan sets out 44 initiatives across nine Government Departments, including measures providing sporting and educational opportunities to our young people, and delivering projects for our elderly, disabled, marginalised and disadvantaged. Dormant Accounts funding makes a real difference to individuals and communities right across the country, ensuring supports are provided to those who need them most
Under the Dormant Accounts Fund an allocation of €3 million is available to provide older people with personal safety alarms under the Senior Alerts Scheme. The Seniors Alert Scheme encourages community support for vulnerable older people in our communities through the provision of personal monitored alarms to enable them to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind.
All my Department’s policies are underpinned by extensive consultation with a wide range of stakeholders including rural and urban stakeholder groups, community groups, young people, Government Departments and State Agencies.
My Department continues to engage in ongoing dialogue with rural and urban stakeholders in order to identify issues impacting on individuals and communities and to enable us to respond to emerging needs within our communities.
345. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide a schedule of the supports her Department provides to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in the context of assisting persons living in Ireland who have fled Ukraine following its invasion by Russia. [56007/22]
View answerMy Department does not provide any supports to Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, as referred to in the Deputy's question. However, my Department has responsibility for the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2018 – 2023 which 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 programme is implemented nationally by 46 Local Development Companies (LDCs).
Since the start of this crisis, flexibility has been offered by my Department in relation to SICAP so that its some 600 community development workers can contribute locally in responding to the needs of the people from Ukraine to help them settle in and engage with local communities.
€10.5 million was announced by my Department earlier this year for the community response to support people arriving from Ukraine. €5 million funding was allocated to SICAP in recognition of the ongoing contribution being made by the programme, this additional funding ensures that normal SICAP service delivery can be maintained along with the on-the-ground response and services for the people arriving from Ukraine. A further €5 million was allocated for the "Ireland for Ukraine Fund" which is being administered by Community Foundation Ireland. In addition, funding of €0.5 million was provided for volunteer centres to deal with increased activity and demands on those centres and on the volunteers helping to deal with this crisis.
Some services that are available through SICAP to support Ukrainians include transport services; access to health care; access to school places; services to older people; Ukrainian community engagement; personal skills and wellbeing, lifelong learning and access to the labour market. Some of these supports are delivered on a one-to-one basis and in a group setting.
My Department will continue to monitor the situation and keep it under review, and I was delighted to secure additional funding of €10m for SICAP in budget 2023 to deal specifically with new arrivals from Ukraine.
I am also very pleased to have secured funding of €1m for the volunteering element of the Ukraine response in 2023, to continue to support the ongoing efforts of volunteers and Volunteer Centres to respond to the needs of displaced Ukrainians and the ongoing community response to the crisis.
