Written Answers Nos. 810-814
810. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme will open for applications in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25747/23]
View answerThe Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) is funded by my Department under Our Rural Future. The Scheme provides funding for the development and enhancement of outdoor infrastructure such as trails, walkways, cycleways, blueways and bridleways throughout rural Ireland.The Scheme is central to Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, the new National Outdoor Recreation Strategy, which is set to shape the future of outdoor recreation over the next five years. The Strategy will ensure that there is a joined up and coordinated approach to deliver maximum impact from the significant investment in the sector and to build on the natural advantages in place.There is an undoubted increase in the appetite for the outdoors. A growing wealth of outdoor recreation infrastructure has been developed in recent years thanks to significant levels investment across Government. Since the launch of the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme in 2016, funding of in excess of €106 million has supported more than 1,500 projects across the country.
I expect to open the 2023 round of ORIS funding shortly and details will be available on my Departments website.
811. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department assists with, or makes a financial contribution to, the sourcing or provision of childcare or crèche facilities for the children of staff members of any grade or position; if so, the names of the providers; the costs incurred for the period 2020 to date in 2023; the number of staff who have availed of such assistance over this timeframe; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25979/23]
View answerI confirm that my Department does not assist with, or make financial contribution to, the sourcing or provision of childcare or crèche facilities for the children of staff members of any grade or position.
812. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the position regarding the €4 million regeneration funding for Youghal town; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26107/23]
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, 215 projects have been approved for funding of €398 million for projects costing €545 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 Regeneration of Youghal Town Centre project was awarded Category 2 funding of €281,250 in 2020. This project will develop plans for the regeneration of the Town Centre and the development of a future vision for the disused former courthouse. The project is at an advanced stage and is estimated to be completed by quarter 4 of 2023.
The Youghal Public Library project was awarded funding of €4,048,511 under the third Call for Category 1 proposals to the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund in 2021. The total cost of the project is €4,498,346. This project will deliver a modern and fully-resourced library for the town through the complete renovation and extension of a collection of derelict buildings on Youghal's North Main Street.
The detailed design for the project is currently being developed and the estimated completion date is quarter 1 of 2026.
813. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when she intends to announce details of the recipients of funding under the CLÁR Measure 1 - funding for community facilities and amenities, given that the closing date for applications was 12 May 2023. [26214/23]
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.
Since the CLÁR Programme was relaunched in 2016, it has supported a wide range of measures. Funding of over €57 million has been approved for almost 2,100 projects since its relaunch.
I launched CLÁR 2023 on 29 March 2023 and the measures to be funded are:
• Developing Community Facilities and Amenities (Measure 1)
• Mobility, Cancer Care and Community First Responders Transport (Measure 2)
• ‘Our Islands’ (Measure 3)
In 2023, Measure 1 will prioritise funding applications in respect of small scale renovation works to community centres and in particular community centres that did not receive funding under the Communities Centres Investment Fund 2022 (CCIF).
CLÁR Measure 1 is administered at a local level by the relevant local authorities. Fifteen projects selected and prioritised locally will be submitted by each local authority to my Department for consideration.
The deadline for submission of applications to my Department is not until 6th June 2023. Most local authorities will have earlier closing dates to allow for the assessment and prioritisation of the projects at a county level.
I expect to announce the successful applications under Measure 1 later this year.
814. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount paid by her Department to external legal teams, HR specialists, accountancy firms and consultants in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26238/23]
View answerThe information the Deputy has requested for my Department is set out in the table below. Details are in respect of payments made to consultants only as no payments were made by my Department to external legal teams or accountancy firms in 2022.
|
Consultant |
Purpose |
Value |
|
Curran Futures |
Investment Fund Consultant contributed to the Periodic Critical Review of the Western Development Commission |
€22,140.00 |
|
NorthPoint Aviation |
Consultation service in publishing a EU compliant PSO air service Tender document for the Aran Islands air service |
€5,000 |
|
Onside |
Support with the renewal of sponsorship for the SuperValu TidyTowns competition for the period 2023-2027 |
€27,675 |
|
Crowe Advisory Ireland |
To facilitate the design, planning and hosting of a national civic forum event including preparatory focus groups, a mid-project progress report with recommendations and a project outcomes report. |
€27,839.50 |
|
Grant Thornton |
Support with the development of a people strategy, organisational values review, and a leadership development training programme. |
€103,960 |
|
Amárach Research, Social Enterprise Republic of Ireland, Irish Local Development Network. |
To administer Baseline Data Gathering Exercise of Social Enterprise in Ireland. To develop a methodology, carry out a survey and draft a report. |
€81,560 |
|
Alice PR & Events |
To develop and run a media campaign to promote PPNs, develop PPN logos, and provide related training to PPNs across the country |
€60,453.90 |
|
Mazars |
To carry out the structural review of PPNs indicated in the Programme for Government |
€21,504.09 |
|
The Wheel with Adare HRM |
To provide an advisory support service to PPNs, training on HR and related areas, and a mediation service where needed. |
€23,113.20 |
|
William Parnell and Ciaran Lynch |
For development and delivery of rural proofing report. |
€5,000 |
