Written Answers Nos. 1390-1405
1390. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 1620 of 21 March 2023, if she will provide an update on the RRDF Project funding for Cahir, County Tipperary; when the local authority will be able to draw down funds and begin work on the town centre renovation, car park, and library projects in Cahir; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27198/23]
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. The Fund is central to achieving the objectives and key deliverables of "Our Rural Future" – the Government's five year policy for Rural Ireland. The projects supported by the Fund assist in the regeneration of rural towns and villages including by addressing vacancy and dereliction and positioning them for further growth through regeneration and town centre renewal. The Fund also invests in strategic projects that contribute to further economic development in rural areas.
In November 2022, I announced funding of €115 million for 23 projects worth a total of €162 million from the fourth call for Category 1 (i.e. shovel-ready) applications. This is the largest allocation of funding since the RRDF was established. The projects announced will be delivered across two phases.
As part of that announcement, I allocated funding of over €30 million in total for three projects led by Tipperary County Council. €14.4 million for the Carrick-on-Suir Regeneration project in Phase 1, €11.9 million for the Activating Cahir’s Town Centre Regeneration project and €4.5 million for the Reimagining and Regeneration of Gantly Street in Phase 2.
The projects in Phase 1 can be commenced once the due diligence process is completed with my Department. I am informed by my officials that the Carrick-on-Suir Regeneration project has been approved for funding in principle and Phase 1 of the project has been approved by my Department to progress to tender.
My Department will be engaging with lead parties to agree on a timeline for the commencement of Phase 2 projects in due course. The timeframe will be linked to the level of progress achieved on Phase 1 projects and on other existing Rural Regeneration and Development Fund projects currently being progressed by Tipperary County Council.
The scale of the fourth call announcement will guarantee that there is a pipeline of ambitious projects that are ready to be delivered over the coming years. My Department will work with the successful lead parties to manage their project pipeline and ensure that approved projects progress at a sustainable pace.
1391. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the percentage of social media videos posted on each of her Departmental social media accounts, or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under her remit, that included closed captioning/subtitling between 1 May 2022 and 30 April 2023, inclusive; and the percentage of same that feature translations into Irish or another language; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27662/23]
View answerBetween 1 May 2022 and 30 April 2023, 96% of the social media videos published on my Department’s social media accounts included closed captioning/subtitling. For the same period, 15% of the social media videos posted on my Department’s social media accounts featured translations into Irish.
The corresponding information in relation to the agencies that operate under the remit of my Department is set out in the table below:
|
Agency |
Closed captioning/subtitling |
Translated |
|
Pobal |
14% |
0% |
|
Charities Regulator |
*0% |
66% |
|
Western Development Commission |
69% |
0% |
|
Water Safety Ireland |
0% |
0% |
* Between 1 May 2022 and 30 April 2023, the Charities Regulator included video format content in 9 social media posts. These 9 videos contained text only, without audio, so did not require closed captioning.
1392. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department, and public bodies and agencies under her remit, have an anti-racism policy which can be accessed by the public; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27680/23]
View answerWhile my Department does not have a specific anti-racism policy, all staff are subject to the Dignity at Work policy which is the anti-bullying, harassment and sexual harassment policy for the Irish civil service. This policy defines nine specific discriminatory grounds of harassment, one of which is race.
In addition, my Department's Customer Charter and Action Plan states that it's objective is to "ensure the rights to equal treatment established by equality legislation, and accommodate diversity, so as to contribute to equality for the groups covered by the equality legislation (on the grounds of gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religious belief, age, disability, race and membership of the Traveller Community)." The charter is published on www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/94a93a-customer-service/
There are 4 agencies under the aegis of my Department: Water Safety Ireland (WSI), Pobal, the Western Development Commission (WDC) and the Charities Regulatory Authority (CRA). The day to day operational matters of the agencies, including human resource issues and regulations, are a matter for their Boards and CEOs.
1393. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 661 of 25 April 2023, the status of the development of the pier on Inis Oírr; the status of the CPO process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27782/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, Galway County Council is the responsible authority for the maintenance and development of Inis Oírr pier. A steering committee consisting of representatives from my Department, Galway County Council and the Consulting Engineers meets regularly to monitor progress on the work being undertaken.
Galway County Council published the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for the land required for construction of the pier in December 2022 and submitted it to An Bord Pleanála. The CPO was subsequently approved by An Bord Pleanála, and the full CPO was published in The Connacht Tribune on 07 April. Landowners also received letters and maps on this date.
The CPO became operative from 28 April, at which point all affected landowners were notified via letter again. A review period of 8 weeks followed, until 2 June.
Currently, Galway County Council are finalising the documents for the construction tender with a view to having them published shortly.
1394. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 662 of 25 April 2023, for an update on the development of the rural proofing model promised in Our Rural Future; the details of the pilot test initiatives to which rural proofing concepts are currently being applied; for details of any ongoing monitoring or analysis being undertaken with regard to the application of these rural proofing concepts to the pilot test initiatives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27783/23]
View answerOur Rural Future is the most ambitious and transformational policy for rural development in Ireland for decades. It commits to developing an effective rural proofing model to ensure the effects of significant new proposals on rural communities are fully considered, and better target the particular challenges and opportunities facing them.
To advance this measure, my officials commissioned a research report on rural proofing which was published in January 2023. It outlines options that could be applied in the Irish context and assesses the merits and potential barriers to their implementation.
The report makes clear that all the international evidence in relation to rural proofing is that no ‘one size fits all’ approach can be quickly and successfully implemented. This international experience is an important factor in shaping our approach to rural proofing. Informed by the conclusions of the report, my Department is developing a nationally applicable rural proofing approach by first applying rural proofing concepts to a number of pilot test initiatives.
This includes rural proofing the review of the National Planning Framework which is being led by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and this work has be commenced. My officials are also working with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in relation to rural proofing and the development of the new Sustainable Tourism Policy. Similarly, work is also underway on the development of the new National Hubs Strategy, and the incorporation of the rural perspective is a key part of this work.
My officials will continue to engage collaboratively with relevant Departments to progress work in this area to ensure that our approach to rural proofing incorporates an appropriate ‘rural lens’, is sustainable over the longer term and adds value. Informed by the lead Departments' work programmes for the initiatives outlined above, I would anticipate that the basis of a consistent and cross Government approach to rural proofing future policy proposals could be brought forward by the end of Quarter 1 of 2024.
1395. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development what engagement her Department has had with Galway County Council in 2023 with regard to dredging works at Céibh an Chóra on Inis Meáin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27784/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, Galway County Council is the responsible authority for the maintenance and development of piers on Inis Meáin.
The cargo service to Inis Meáin diverts to Céibh a' Chóra whenever it is not safe for it to berth at Céibh an Chaladh Mór.
In recent years a sand bank has accumulated, from time to time, at the mouth of Céibh a' Chóra making berthing at that pier unsafe as well.
Galway County Council recently held a procurement competition in order to obtain the appropriate licences so that a long-term dredging schedule can be implemented to remove the sand when necessary.
I understand that the procurement process is now drawing to a close and that the Local Authority will soon be in a position to engage a contractor to obtain the foreshore and dumping at sea licences.
1396. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the total spend on consulting services and on ‘business-as-usual’ outsourcing, as differentiated under the Code of ‘Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016’ for each non-commercial public body under the aegis of her Department for the year 2022. [27969/23]
View answerThe State Bodies under the remit of my Department are independent corporate entities with responsibility for their own governance and compliance matters, and in this case outsourcing arrangements.
These bodies may be contacted directly by e-mail, by members of the Oireachtas, at the contact details as set out in the attached table.
|
State Bodies |
contact details |
|
Pobal |
oireachtasqueries@pobal.ie |
|
Charities Regulator |
oireachtas@charitiesregulator.ie |
|
Water Safety Ireland |
oireachtas@wsi.ie |
|
Western Development Commission |
oireachtas@wdc.ie |
1397. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the current status of an appeal by an organisation (detail supplied) to the community services programme; when a decision is likely to be reached; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28011/23]
View answerMy department's Community Services Programme (CSP) currently supports over 420 community-based organisations to provide local services through a social enterprise model. CSP provides an annual co-funding contribution towards each full-time equivalent (FTE) position being supported, and, where warranted, towards the cost of employing a manager.
As part of the CSP restructuring process, a new funding model was introduced from January 2023. All organisations were required to re-apply under the programme as all previous contracts ceased on 31 December 2022 and contracts were awarded under the new funding model in January 2023. Organisations were also afforded the opportunity to appeal their funding allocation on specific grounds.
An independent review of all appeals was conducted by Pobal, who administer the programme on behalf of my department. This review has now been completed and on 29th May last, Pobal notified the organisation in question of the decision that their appeal had been partially upheld. I understand that the decision notification outlines the reasons for this decision.
1398. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will seek an update on the long-awaited and now much-delayed Ardee Castle redevelopment, funded through the rural regeneration and redevelopment fund; the reason for the delays; if a projected timeline can be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28035/23]
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.
The Fund is central to achieving the objectives and key deliverables of "Our Rural Future" – the Government's five year policy for Rural Ireland. The projects supported by the Fund assist in the regeneration of rural towns and villages including by addressing vacancy and dereliction and positioning them for further growth through regeneration and town centre renewal. The Fund also invests in strategic projects that contribute to further economic development in rural areas.
The Ardee Castle project was approved for funding of €2,147,000 from the first call for Category 1 (i.e. shovel-ready) applications in 2019. The project will refurbish the historic Ardee Castle building located in the centre of the town to develop a visitor attraction and a central information, interpretation and orientation hub. The lead party for this project is Louth County Council.
I have been informed by my officials that the progress of the project has been delayed due to the national monument status of the building. However the detailed design for the project is completed and Louth County Council are in the process of finalising the tender documentation. The tender is expected to be advertised in July and the contractor appointed by the end of 2023. It is estimated that the project will have a 12 month construction period.
1399. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when she will consider opening a scheme in order that highly used community centres can avail of funding to appoint full-time administrators. [28154/23]
View answerMy Department's Community Services Programme (CSP) currently supports over 420 community-based organisations to provide local services through a social enterprise model. CSP provides an annual co-funding contribution towards each full-time equivalent (FTE) position being supported, and, where warranted, 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 CSP contribution must be co-funded by the organisation concerned from other sources, for example, from income received from the public use of their facilities and services.
The CSP supports community-based organisations to provide local social, economic and environmental services through a social enterprise model. It typically supports organisations to meet local service gaps and provide access to services and facilities that would otherwise generally be unavailable.
The CSP supports a range of services, facilities and activities that enhance the quality of life for specific disadvantaged groups including older people, persons with disabilities, Travellers and those most vulnerable within our communities to support them to live independently. The types of services supported include community halls, sports and resource centres.
My department announced a new call for proposals in March 2023. Full details were provided on my department's and Pobal's websites and were notified to organisations who had expressed an interest in inclusion in the programme. A series of information events and pre-support workshops were also held to ensure potential applicants were fully equipped with the information that they needed to apply for this funding. At this stage, the application window for this new call is closed. No further calls are anticipated at this time, however the matter will be kept under review.
1400. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of staff seconded to her Department from a company (details supplied) in the past ten years to date; the title and/or role they filled; and the duration of same. [28184/23]
View answerNo staff have been seconded into my Department from the company in question since my Department was established in 2017.
1401. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of instances in which her Department availed of services and or consultancy and or advices from a company (details supplied) in the past ten years to date; the costs of same; the number of contracts between the company and her Department; and the duration and costs of same. [28203/23]
View answerThere is no record of any contracts being in place between my Department and the company referred to by the Deputy since my Department was established in 2017.
1402. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will make additional allocations within this budgetary year towards local improvement schemes to deal with the huge backlog of applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20803/23]
View answerThe Local Improvement Scheme, or LIS, supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. As part of Our Rural Future, the Government is committed to ensuring that the LIS is funded into the future. The scheme makes an important contribution to connectivity, which I view as an important issue for rural Ireland, whether it be access to homes, farms or outdoor amenities.
The Local Improvement Scheme was reintroduced by my Department in 2017 following a number of years with no dedicated funding. Since 2017, my Department has allocated almost €114 million to the scheme. This has upgraded some 3,700 non-public roads and lanes benefiting over 16,000 landowners and residents in these rural areas.
I launched the 2023 scheme in February with an increase in the base funding to €12 million. I also announced an addition €0.55 million for improvement works on our off shore Islands. This is the third consecutive year in which the basic allocation for the Local Improvement Scheme has been increased. I also announced the allocations for 2023 earlier than was the case in 2022 in order to give local authorities the most time possible to complete works on the ground.
I will continue to closely monitor expenditure patterns this year in my Department and should savings emerge, I will give consideration to again allocating additional funding to the scheme as was seen in 2021 and 2022. Indeed, I have recently asked all local authorities to inform my Department as to how many more projects they could deliver this year, should any such funding become available.
Conscious of the level of interest in the scheme, I have corresponded with the Department of Transport and continue to engage with my colleague, the Minister for Transport, regarding the potential for his Department to contribute jointly to the funding of the Local Improvement Scheme which would demonstrate a strong and coherent commitment across Government to supporting rural dwellers.
1403. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the capital spend each year from the island-specific sub-head in the vote of her Department and Departments that have had responsibility for the islands since the year 2000, including the capital allocation for 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28367/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, responsibility for the Islands transferred to this Department in 2020.
Last week, I published Our Living Islands, the Government's new 10-year national policy for the islands. It is an objective of this Government to provide the necessary supports for our offshore islands to ensure that those communities can continue to live, and thrive, on the islands.
My Department operates an annual capital funding programme to enable the relevant local authorities to carry out minor capital works on the offshore islands and develop key infrastructure such as piers on the islands and mainland to support the sustainability of our island communities.
Last year, I secured a significant increase in the capital allocation for the islands to €4.644 million and I am delighted that I have secured the same amount again in 2023.
Below is a table outlining the expenditure under the Island Minor Capital Works since the year 2000.
It is important to note that the capital spend in some years was significantly higher than normal as it included substantial funding for major pier construction projects under the National Development Plan.
|
Year |
Capital spend - Islands subhead |
|
2000 |
£3,269,312.70 |
|
2001 |
£5,478,679.97 |
|
2002 |
€4,034,231.95 |
|
2003 |
€4,324,481.68 |
|
2004 |
€10,359,103.00 |
|
2005 |
€6,591,478.00 |
|
2006 |
€5,662,634.00 |
|
2007 |
€18,009,644.00 |
|
2008 |
€32,841,356.00 |
|
2009 |
€19,543,000.00 |
|
2010 |
€10,802,731.00 |
|
2011 |
€3,555,748.00 |
|
2012 |
€780,355.00 |
|
2013 |
€679,000.00 |
|
2014 |
€642,500.00 |
|
2015 |
€640,875.00 |
|
2016 |
€6,643,187.00 |
|
2017 |
€1,396,892.00 |
|
2018 |
€1,053,452.00 |
|
2019 |
€3,002,499.00 |
|
2020 |
€1,217,067.00 |
|
2021 |
€1,993,502.00 |
|
2022 |
€4,162,837.00 |
|
2023* |
€4,644,000.00 |
*Budget allocation
1404. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will consider providing support for the creation of a broadband connection point (BCP) at a location (details supplied), given that her Department has already granted funds for a remote working hub under the town-and-village renewal scheme (TVRS); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28465/23]
View answerPublic Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) provide onsite connectivity for community use at publicly accessible premises, such as community centres and sports clubs. They are located in rural and isolated areas including on a number of off-shore islands and support remote working, digital skills training and a range of community initiatives.
In the coming months, in consultation with Public BCP stakeholders, my officials will finalise a development strategy for the Public BCP Network. This strategy will set out a number of ambitions and opportunities and will guide decisions on future supports, partnerships and the scope to improve and broaden services. Among the items for consideration will be the issue of inviting additional premises, that have access to high-speed broadband, into the Public BCP network.
The current focus of the Public BCP project is to complete the roll-out of the 300 sites which are already within the project plan. When completed, the Public BCP network will have a presence in every county in the State and in some of our most rural and isolated communities, including many off-shore islands. As the site connection rate grows, my Department will work with local authorities and the committees that manage the Public BCPs to improve services and drive demand for use of the sites.
There are a number of pilot programmes currently underway, or recently completed, that explore the potential for Public BCPs to provide additional public benefit. Among these are programmes related to remote working, arts and culture, eHealth and education and training. A number of these programmes have been provided with additional support to ensure they continue past the pilot stage, including coding for primary school children, painting classes and eHealth pods offering remote access to medical appointments.
1405. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the 2023 town and village renewal scheme will open for applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28567/23]
View answerThe Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) was introduced in 2016 and is one of a number of measures to support the revitalisation of rural Ireland. The scheme is funded under Project Ireland 2040 as part of “Our Rural Future”, and directly supports the delivery of the Town Centre First policy.
The Scheme is administered through local authorities, who work closely with local communities and businesses to develop proposals that can make a lasting impact in revitalising rural towns and villages across the country.
Since the launch of the Scheme in 2016, over €154 million has been allocated to more than 1,700 projects. Last year, I was delighted to confirm a total funding package of €29m across the various strands of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme to support a wide range of projects across rural Ireland.
Scheme priorities are reviewed at the end of each scheme year. In 2022, the TVRS prioritised projects that bring vacant and derelict buildings back into use and promote residential occupancy in town centres and I subsequently introduced a new Building Acquisition Measure (BAM) which resulted in an investment of over €6million for the purchase of 29 properties. Building on the success of the 2022 BAM, in March of this year I announced a further fund for this Measure again in 2023.
The review process for the main TVRS scheme is at an advanced stage in respect of its focus for 2023. As part of this process, I am anxious to ensure that the range of schemes offered by my Department continue to be structured in a way that ensures clear coherence, shows alignment with key policies such as Our Rural Future and the Town Centre First policy, and that delivers real and tangible benefits for communities. I expect to be in a position to launch the 2023 Town and Village Renewal Scheme scheme shortly.
