Tuesday, 13 Jun 2023

Written Answers Nos. 81-100

Rural Schemes

Questions (81)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

81. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the position regarding LIS funding for 2023; if she will consider the Kerry situation and consider if a streamlined model for tackling the LIS waiting lists would be more effective; if she will engage with the local authorities to establish their maximum delivery capacity and consider whether alternative delivery options might be considered where local authorities do not have the capacity to carry out works within a reasonable timeframe in the years ahead; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28304/23]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The Local Improvement Scheme 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 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.

From 2017 to 2022, a total of €6.2 million was allocated to County Kerry which saw improvement works carried out on 173 roads. This is the fifth highest allocation nationally.

My Department reviews the scheme criteria each year prior to launch including the mechanism for funding allocation. The prioritisation of roads for submission to my Department is a matter for each local authority in line with the Scheme Outline.

I launched the 2023 scheme in February with an increase in base funding to €12 million. I also announced an addition €0.55 million for improvement works on our offshore islands. Within this funding, I allocated almost €800,000 to County Kerry bringing their total allocation since 2017 to over €7 million.

The Department has recently engaged with the local authorities to establish the delivery capacity should additional funding allocations be granted for the scheme this year. In this regard, Kerry County Council advised that it has capacity to deliver further 16 roads this year, corresponding to a grant allocation of €1,085,441 to complete.

I will monitor expenditure patterns in my Department and should savings emerge, I will give consideration to allocating additional funding to the scheme.

Finally, I have engaged on a number of occasions with my colleague, the Minister for Transport regarding his Department contributing to a jointly funded Locally Improvement Scheme.

Rural Recreation Policy

Questions (82)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

82. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the constituency of Cavan-Monaghan will benefit from the recently announced outdoor recreation and infrastructure scheme. [28325/23]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme 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.

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. Indeed, over €8.7 million of this has been allocated to 115 projects in the constituency of Cavan – Monaghan.

I recently launched the 2023 Scheme with an allocation of €16 million, an increase of €1 million on last year's Scheme.

The 2023 Scheme will provide funding of up to €30,000 for small scale development as well as promotion and marketing; up to €200,000 for medium scale upgrades and new amenity development; and up to €500,000 for large scale upgrades and the development of new outdoor recreation amenities. In addition funding of up to €50,000 is available for project development costs.

I have no doubt that projects on a par with the previously funded Lough Major Lido - which I visited last week, Whitewood Lake Regeneration, Rossmore Park, Dartery Forest and Lough Muckno will emerge from the process.

Community Development Projects

Questions (83)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Question:

83. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will give consideration to the resourcing of local authorities to establish community wealth building teams; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28380/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development

As the Deputy will be aware, the concept of community wealth building refers to a range of approaches to local economic development, including community-led local development. My department has in place a range of policies and programmes which support community wealth building.

Programmes such as LEADER, SICAP and the Community Services Programme all support community-led initiatives. My Department also leads on the implementation of the National Social Enterprise Strategy - the creation of an environment in which social enterprises can thrive is a key element of community wealth building.

The Western Development Commission under the aegis of my department provides social financing to support community led initiatives.

Both the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme have invested in the regeneration of rural towns and villages, including measures for the acquisition of buildings for community use, which aligns with the concept of community wealth building.

My Department participates on the cross-government Strategic Procurement Advisory Group which promotes and facilitates the inclusion of social considerations in public procurement projects, for the benefit of local communities and is committed to working with other Departments and the community and voluntary sector to review the processes by which state bodies commission the provision of social and community services, in order to maximise societal value.

The Guidelines for the development of Local Economic and Community Plans (LECPs) by local authorities contain a clear framework for local economic development. My department provides resources to the local authorities to support the work of the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), including the preparation and monitoring of the LECPs, through the Additional Staff Resource (ASR) fund.

Questions Nos. 84 and 85 answered orally.

Rural Schemes

Questions (86)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

86. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she has examined the possibility of supporting local enterprises with three-phase electric power installations to assist growth in our rural economies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28351/23]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The CLÁR programme which was originally launched in 2001, provides funding for small scale projects in rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population. Previously the programme provided funding to support micro enterprises to convert from single phase to three phase electricity. However, while the 2023 CLÁR programme is currently in progress, support for this type of intervention or for rural enterprise more widely has not formed part of the more recent iterations of the programme.

Support for rural enterprises is available under the LEADER programme. LEADER is based on a community-led approach to rural development, and plays an important role in supporting communities and enterprises in progressing job creation, social inclusion and environmental projects at local level. In October last, I was happy to announce the process to select new Local Action Groups (LAGs) to deliver the next LEADER Programme. Eligible groups are in the process of designing a Local Development Strategy through active consultation with local communities in their respective areas.

Funding under the 2023-2027 LEADER Programme will be available under a broad range of defined themes and sub-themes, which include enterprise development and job creation, rural infrastructure and social inclusion, sustainable development of the rural environment and climate change mitigation and adaptation. These themes will support and encourage rural economies to grow and develop.

The approval of individual projects, however, will be a matter for each of the new LAGs. My Department anticipates that the new programme will be open to applications in the third quarter of this year, following the conclusion of the LAG selection process. Interested applicants should, at that juncture, contact their LAG to discuss project eligibility.

Active Travel

Questions (87)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

87. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the engagement she has had with her Government counterparts on active travel allocations for footpaths in rural areas. [28049/23]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The Department of Transport is the principal department with responsibility for Active Travel and the Active Travel Grants Programme is managed by the National Transport Authority.

While I have no responsibility towards the Active Travel budget, officials from my Department have liaised with the Active Travel section of the National Transport Authority (NTA). The purpose of these discussions was to gain a better understanding of the works suitable for funding by the NTA to ensure that there are no gaps in funding for public realm works such as footpaths, which have been previously funded through my Department's Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS).

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme was introduced in 2016 and is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. Since the launch of the scheme over €154 million has been allocated to more than 1,700 projects across Ireland. The Scheme has supported towns and villages the length and breadth of the country.

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.

The Active Travel Grants Programme funds important projects supporting strategic pedestrian and cyclist routes, access to schools, permeability links, urban greenways and some minor public transport improvement projects. Through TVRS my Department will continue to invest in and support rural Ireland and communities across the country.

In line with the commitment in Our Rural Future, Ireland's rural development policy, the TVRS priorities are reviewed at the end of each scheme year to ensure that funding is targeted effectively to support vibrant and attractive communities. The review process for the main Town and Village Renewal Scheme for 2023 is currently at an advanced stage and I intend to launch the 2023 scheme shortly.

Community Development Projects

Questions (88)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

88. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of applications for community centre funding across all schemes operated by her Department in 2022; and the amount paid out to date, in tabular form. [28045/23]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

At the core of my Department's remit is the mission to support vibrant and sustainable communities across the country. My Department provides targeted investment and supports in both rural and urban communities, which enables rural regeneration, facilitates new working opportunities and fosters regional enterprise growth.

Community centres, as their name makes clear, are places of amenity and opportunity run by and for local residents. They are venues for training, socialising, volunteering and a myriad of social and community services.

I am determined to support the sector to develop and to remain sustainable. In addition to the direct funding that my Department provides, I have also ensured that, where appropriate, community centres are at the heart of the numerous community development initiatives managed by my Department. For example, the overwhelming majority of Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) in the country are community centres, many of which now facilitate remote working and job skills training.

In 2022, my Department approved direct funding of €145m across a number of programmes to support 952 community centres or multi use community buildings. This figure does not include other supports provided to the sector, such as the Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme (CVESS) and the Community Support Fund.

The amount approved in 2022 and a breakdown of the number of approved applications for community centres across the various programmes is set out in the table below. Many of these programmes and schemes are multi-annual in nature, meaning that the distribution of approved funds may occur throughout the lifetime of the schemes.

It should also be noted that funding under the LEADER programme is focused on a thematic approach to rural development under the headings of Economic Development, Enterprise Development and Job Creation; Social Inclusion; and the Rural Environment. The Department does not, therefore, capture details of the amount of funding approved specifically for community centres under the LEADER programme.

Programme/Scheme	No of applications approved in 2022	Funding approved in 2022
Community Centre Investment Fund - for the improvement and refurbishment of existing community centres across Ireland	861	€45,886,337
Connected Hubs Call 2022 - to add remote working capacity in Ireland by upgrading existing hubs and Broadband Connection Points	43	€718,546
Rural Regeneration and Development Fund - includes the redevelopment of vacant and derelict properties to provide community facilities.	34	€96,584,111
Scaling Up Fund for Social Enterprise - designed to improve the impact and sustainability of social enterprises that address economic, social and educational disadvantage.	6	€395,951
Town and Village Renewal Scheme - Building Acquisition Measure 2022, to support the enhancement of 8 community centres.	8	€1,556,988
Totals	952	€145,141,933

Social Enterprise Sector

Questions (89)

Paul Donnelly

Question:

89. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development To ask the Minister forRural and Community Development if a commitment has been given to social enterprises, as there is increasing recognition of the growing role of social enterprises, and the latest report provides a comprehensive picture of the social enterprise sector in Ireland in 2022, highlighting that of particular relevance going forward will be to develop frameworks that enhance the sector’s potential and track its evolution and impact on society, the environment and the economy. [28301/23]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

Social enterprises are businesses that work primarily to improve the lives of people, with any surpluses generated re-invested into achieving their core social objectives.

They frequently work to support disadvantaged groups such as the long-term unemployed, people with disabilities, and the Traveller community, or to address issues such as food poverty, social housing, or environmental matters.

One of my main priorities to underpin the development of policy for social enterprise has been to improve data collection and availability relating to the sector in Ireland and the areas in which social enterprises operate.

My Department commissioned ‘Social Enterprises in Ireland: A Baseline Data Collection Exercise’ which I launched last month and which is available on the Department's website.

The key data identified as a result of this work includes:

• there are 4,335 social enterprises in Ireland employing 84,382 people.

• there are 74,824 volunteers in social enterprises including 30,324 board members.

• the total income of social enterprise amounts to €2.34 Billion.

This research marks the just the first dedicated data collection exercise in relation to social enterprises and further work will take place into the future to track the development and impact of the sector over time.

Another recent report ‘Social Enterprise on the Island of Ireland’ published by the NESC recognises the growing significance of social enterprise nationally and internationally.

I am determined to support social enterprises to grow in scale, support employment, and to make a positive impact to individuals and society in both rural and urban areas. To this end, my Department has also commissioned an OECD to report on the implementation of social enterprise policy in Ireland and boosting social enterprise development in Ireland. This report is due to be finalised shortly.

In recent months, my Department has been engaging extensively with key stakeholders to develop a successor to Ireland's first National Social Enterprise Policy. I plan to publish the new social enterprise policy later this year and the evidence base the above referenced reports provide will be integral to its development. The new policy will build on the progress made since the first policy in 2019, and will provide a framework to support the further development of this important sector.

Community Development Projects

Questions (90)

Robert Troy

Question:

90. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the new leader funding will be available to community groups; if eligibility criteria has been set; and how long the programme will run for. [28348/23]

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 launched in 2021.The programme is based on a community-led approach to rural development and plays an important role in supporting communities and enterprises in progressing job creation, social inclusion and environmental projects at local level.

The process to select Local Actions Groups (LAGs) to deliver the new LEADER programme is under way at present. Applicant groups are due to submit completed Local Development Strategy (LDS) documents for consideration by 14thJuly 2023. These LDSs will form the basis for the approval of projects under the new programme, which is due to run until 2027 (with what is termed a N+2 period of two years for the closing out of the programme).

As draft LDSs are approved across individual LEADER areas, the LAGs can commence seeking and approving applications for funding from communities. My officials are currently reviewing learnings from the current LEADER programme, including eligibility criteria, and these will be incorporated into the new programme where feasible. Work on developing the new operating rules for the programme is currently ongoing in conjunction with stakeholders.

I look forward to the implementation of the 2023-2027 programme and to ensuring that LEADER continues to play a central role in supporting rural communities into the future.

Rural Schemes

Questions (91)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

91. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there are plans to relaunch the connected hubs voucher scheme. [28326/23]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

Our Rural Future recognises the opportunity for rural rejuvenation that remote working presents and commits to establishing an integrated national network of 400 remote working hubs by 2025.

I am pleased to say that we are well on our way to meeting this commitment. There are now 319 hubs on-boarded to the connectedhubs.ie platform and this number is growing all the time.

The initial focus of the Connected Hubs initiative was on establishing the network and on achieving this initial critical mass, underpinned by significant levels of investment by my Department. In 2022 with the launch of the first ever national connected hubs marketing campaign and mobile phone app, and the announcement of the Connected Hubs Voucher Scheme, the focus shifted to raising awareness of the network to relevant stakeholders, including SMEs, business owners and hub usersThrough the work of the Interdepartmental Steering Group for the National Hub Network, my officials are now working on a new strategy for the development of the national hub network. This strategy will, inter alia, examine the most appropriate and effective approach to funding, developing and supporting the national hub network in the coming years to ensure that value for money continues to be delivered.

Rural Schemes

Questions (92)

Robert Troy

Question:

92. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the community service project will be open to new applications; how many projects will be approved; and what criteria the applications will be assessed on. [28349/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development

My 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.

A new call for proposals was announced in March 2023 with funding of €1m available under the following two strands:

• Strand 1 :? Organisations operating in the circular economy owned and led by Traveller organisations and/or provide employment primarily to members of the Traveller community.?

• Strand 2 : General community services that demonstrate they meet the strategic objectives and the principles of CSP.

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 organisations were fully equipped with the information that they needed to apply for this funding.

Following the pre-application support workshops, organisations were invited to submit a short concept note to Pobal outlining their proposal for assessment against the objectives of the call. The deadline for receipt of concept notes under both strands has now passed.

Pobal have commenced their assessment of these concept notes against a number of criteria including demonstrable need, sustainability, value for money and governance. It is expected that Pobal's recommendations will be submitted to the department for approval later in June. Following review by the department, successful organisations will be invited to participate in the formal application process. It is expected that organisations will receive notification of the outcome in July. Some of the Strand 1 organisations may also be selected for further supports in advance of submitting a formal application process.

My department expects to fund an additional 10-12 organisations in 2023, and further projects may be funded in 2024 subject to available resources.

No further open calls are anticipated at this time but the matter will be kept under review.

Island Communities

Questions (93, 104)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

93. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the flexibilities provided for in the recently published Island Plan to ensure that issues of concern to islanders not addressed in the plan can be addressed in the next ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28335/23]

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

104. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extra financial commitment to the funding provided to her Department annually for islands, underpinning the recent "Islands Plan" launched by her on 7 June 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28334/23]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 104 together.

I was delighted to publish Our Living Islands, the National Islands Policy last week. The commitments in the policy will be delivered progressively over its lifetime and implementation will be underpinned by 3 year Action Plans, the first of which I also published last week alongside the policy.

As the Deputy is aware, this ambitious policy has been developed following an extensive consultation process with island communities and other stakeholders, which enabled them to express their views as to the challenges and opportunities associated with living on islands.

The policy is underpinned by five high-level Strategic Objectives, identified by islanders themselves as being of key importance for the sustainable future of their communities. It is a living document and will be reviewed and updated as necessary over its 10-year lifespan.

A whole-of-Government approach has been taken in the development of the Our Living Islands and a coordinated and cohesive approach across a range of Government Departments will be required for its implementation.

The Government recognises that the people who live on the islands are key participants in the development and delivery of any initiatives to develop their own communities. This policy is therefore underpinned by the principle of engagement by island communities in its implementation and monitoring.

In that context, a Monitoring Committee, chaired by my Department, will be established to which I will appoint representatives of the island communities. The role of the committee will be to engage with key Government Departments, agencies and local authorities in relation to progress on implementation and to report periodically to me and the relevant Cabinet Committee.

Funding of the commitments contained in this policy will be met from the budgets of the relevant Government Departments, agencies and other bodies responsible for the delivery of the relevant actions and policy measures.

All expenditure incurred will be subject to the terms of the Public Spending Code and the Capital Works Management Framework where appropriate.

Broadband Infrastructure

Questions (94)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

94. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will give an update on the work of the Broadband Mobile Phone Task Force, particularly the work being done in providing alternatives for people who are waiting for broadband connection for up to five years under the NBP; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28287/23]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce was re-established in December 2021 with an inaugural meeting co-chaired by myself and Minister of State Ossian Smyth TD, involving participation from all key State stakeholders. In April 2022 we held a full meeting of the Taskforce with both State and Industry representatives. After this meeting the Terms of Reference and Work Programme for 2022-2023 were agreed and published on www.gov.ie.

The actions in the Work Programme relate to improving mobile phone coverage in rural areas, examining issues around planning permissions and licensing for, and sharing of, telecoms infrastructure, the use of public assets for telecoms purposes, and improving the quality and availability of information for consumers of telecoms services and products.

On February 15th 2023 the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce Annual Stakeholder Forum was held with a focus on the human impact of improved connectivity. The forum presented an opportunity for state and industry to come together and take part in panel discussions, presentations and to meet in a less formal setting than the biannual Taskforce meetings.

The most recent meeting of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce took place in Athlone on 28th April 2023. At this meeting updates were presented on the status of each action, including those which have been completed and can be removed from the Work Programme. An updated Work Programme and an Annual Report of the Taskforce for the period April 2022 to April 2023 will be published in the coming weeks.

Under the National Broadband Plan, I note that, as of 26 May 2023, design work is completed in townlands across every county in Ireland. Over 154,800 premises across 26 counties are now available to order or pre-order a high-speed broadband connection from National Broadband Ireland, with over 140,000 premises passed and available for immediate connection.

In addition, I understand that Eir are in the process of extending their fibre services to 1.9m premises, that Siro has passed 500,000 premises with fibre services with another 270,000 premises planned, and that Virgin Media plan to bring gigabit broadband to 1m premises.

Notwithstanding these achievements, Minister Smyth and I are determined to see future-proofed high-speed broadband services available to all premises as quickly as possible. Accordingly, through the Taskforce, officials of both Departments are engaging proactively with public sector and industry representatives to identify obstacles to improved services and taking action as appropriate.

Lastly, I would highlight the role of the local authority Broadband Officers. These officers, co-funded by my Department and arising from an early action of the Taskforce, are tasked with supporting local residents, their elected representatives and telecoms operators to accelerate telecommunications development where appropriate.

The most recent data from ComReg shows a marked increase in fibre to the premises (FTTP) connections in Ireland (+36% year on year); data that speaks to the work of Broadband Officers but also the investments made to date by this Government and industry

Community Development Projects

Questions (95)

David Stanton

Question:

95. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the action she is taking to support communities in forming community organisations where none currently exists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28308/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development (Deputy Joe O'Brien)

From 2018-2022, I am delighted to say that SICAP has supported up to 2,000 new groups or organisations and 3,838 existing community groups with various forms of support from conducting needs assessments to understand the challenges and requirements of the community to developing plans and recruiting volunteers who can contribute to aspects of administrative, marketing, program implementation etc.

Local Development Companies (LDCs) also offer supports to develop governance and policies, secure funding and build partnerships with other community organisations and local government agencies. They help to develop a long term sustainability plan to ensure an organisation's continued operation and impact.

My Department also has overall responsibility for the funding, governance oversight and development of Public Participation Networks (PPNs). The focus of the PPN is to empower and assist volunteer-led community representative groups to participate in local authority policymaking and decision-making. This gives local community groups a greater say in local government decisions which affect their own communities.

In addition, my Department also provides funding of just over €2 million for the Empowering Communities Programme (ECP). The ECP aims to empower local communities in small, targeted areas to craft their own response to area based poverty, social exclusion and the resulting consequences, with the support of the relevant Local Community Development Committee (LCDC). The programme funds a Community Engagement Worker to work directly with people to link them to existing services and to articulate their needs. For example, in Athy, the engagement worker covers 5 housing estates in a small area, working door to door to encourage people to re-engage as community Leaders through residents groups, participation in local governance structures. Similarly, the pilot Place-Based Leadership Development (P-BLD) Programme is being delivered in Darndale and Drogheda further to recommendations from the Nolan and Geiran reports. The Programme is an investment in local leaders to help them address the challenges experienced in those areas. The programme aims to strengthen the capacity of those already working hard to improve the quality of community life in Darndale and Drogheda, encouraging collaboration and empowering new community leaders to tackle the problems they face.

My Department also provides funding for the pilot Community Development Programme. The programme aims to trial community development initiatives that address poverty, social exclusion and inequality and promote human rights. The programme is currently providing funding to seven projects that are trialing an autonomous Community Development approach and giving voice to the most marginalised groups such as Roma, vulnerable groups in Inner City Dublin, migrants and new communities, Travellers and people with disabilities, to enable them to build relationships with the relevant main stream services. An expansion of the programme to include three additional projects was announced in May 2023. The extension of this impactful programme demonstrates my commitment to further advance the Programme for Government. In addition, my Department provides funding, through the Dormant Accounts Fund, to Rethink Ireland’s Social Innovation Fund to assist innovative non-profit organisations working in communities across the country. Rethink Ireland creates funds to help innovations rise to the challenges of the most pressing issues across five key themes of Health, Education, Equality, Social Enterprise, and Climate. Cash grants and business supports enable social innovations to develop and maximise their impact within their communities.

Island Communities

Questions (96)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

96. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide an update on the work her Department is doing to ensure the sustainability of island communities in terms of necessary infrastructure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28309/23]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

Our Living Islands, which I launched last week, is an ambitious new ten year national policy designed to support vibrant and sustainable island communities.

Good transport services and a developed infrastructure are recognised in the policy as important prerequisites for maintaining island populations. My Department’s aim is to seek to meet these requirements through current and capital investment via the Department itself and through other relevant Government Departments and organisations.

My Department has a dedicated annual capital allocation for the islands. This includes provision for a minor capital works programme to provide co-funding to encourage Local Authorities to undertake smaller infrastructure works projects on the islands. Works undertaken include, but are not limited to repairs to piers and roads (subject to roads being under charge of the Local Authority), maintenance or construction of slipways and retaining walls, works to prevent damage from erosion, the development of play grounds and public conveniences. My Department provides 90% of the funding for the minor works programme.

At the recent launch of our new national islands policy, Our Living Islands, I announced funding of €1.9 million for the first tranche of minor capital works for 2023.

In addition, I have introduced a dedicated islands funding stream under other programmes within my Department, under the CLÁR programme where assistance is provided for public and community facilities, and under the Local Improvement Scheme.

My Department also provides funding for major capital projects serving our offshore islands, such as the redevelopment of the piers at Inis Oírr, Inis Meáin and at Machaire Rabhartaigh serving Toraigh.

Rural Schemes

Questions (97)

Alan Dillon

Question:

97. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of funding provided by her Department to County Mayo since January 2020; the list of projects supported under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, Town and Village Renewal Scheme, Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Fund, Building Acquisition Fund and CLÁR Fund during this time in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28353/23]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

Our Rural Future represents the Irish Government’s blueprint for the development of rural Ireland over the next 5 years. It sets out a range of actions for delivery across Government, and sets the strategic framework for the delivery of capital investment under my Department's Rural Development Investment Programme.

Over €64.2 million in funding has been allocated by my Department for projects in County Mayo for the period 2020 to 2022 . A breakdown of allocations per year is set out in the table below.

2020	2021	2022
€14,732,668	€23,568,237	€25,933,893

The Building Acquisition Measure was introduced in 2022 and no applications were received from Mayo County Council for that year.

The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund supports job creation in rural areas, address de-population of rural communities and supports improvements in our towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000, and outlying areas. Over €19.6 million in funding was allocated to projects in Mayo between 2020 and 2022, including €8,278,682 to transform the former Sisters of Mercy Convent site and adjacent lands in Westport. The project will provide a range of key community facilities and services in a central location, including remote learning, enhancing the quality of life of the town’s residents and improving the overall experience of visitors to the region.

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme supports measures designed to rejuvenate small rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. Over €2.54 million in funding was allocated to projects in Mayo between 2020 and 2022, including €500,000 for the redevelopment of the semi-derelict Canal House in Belmullet to provide a dedicated youth facility, base for outdoor activities and a link to the existing canal bank walk.

The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Fund provides funding for the development of new and existing outdoor recreational infrastructure in rural areas. Over €1.8 million in funding was allocated to Mayo between 2020 and 2022, including €200,000 for the improvements to the recreational offering at Moorehall and nearby Towerhill Forest.

CLÁR provides funding for small-scale infrastructural projects in rural areas. Over €1.76 million in funding was allocated to projects in Mayo between 2020 and 2022, including €65,000 for the purchase of a vehicle by St Colemans Care Centre.

A list of projects supported under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, Town and Village Renewal Scheme, Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Fund and CLÁR Fund from 2020 to 2022 in County Mayo is set out in the attached document.

Rural Schemes

Questions (98)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

Question:

98. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the position regarding the review of the Local Economic and Community Plans to ensure that they are fit for purpose for climate action, as laid out in Appendix 1 of policy measures in Our Rural Future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28136/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development (Deputy Joe O'Brien)

The purpose of the Local Economic and Community Plans (LECP), as provided for in the Local Government Reform Act 2014, is to set out, for a six-year period, the objectives and actions needed to promote and support the economic development and the local and community development of the relevant local authority area, both by the Local Authority directly and in partnership with other economic and community development stakeholders.

The LECPs are one of the primary mechanisms at local level to bring forward relevant actions from national and regional strategies and policies that have a local remit, such as the Climate Action Plan. Focused LECPs will ensure that local authorities can play a key leadership role in effectively delivering on climate actions and relevant actions should be aligned with the objectives of Our Rural Future, the whole-of-Government policy for rural Ireland for the period 2021-2025.

All Local Authorities are expected to have their new LECP in place by the end of 2023. To support this process, my department published revised LECP Guidelines in November 2021. Full consideration of climate action is a cross cutting theme throughout the Guidelines, with feedback incorporated from the Climate Action Regional Offices (CARO). My department hosted a series of Information webinars for LCDCs in 2022 to equip them with the required knowledge and skills for the preparation of the LECPs. Environment and Climate featured as a theme for one training event and input was sought from across relevant Departments. Last week I was delighted to launch the Sligo LECP, the first of the new round of LECPs, which has a strong emphasis on climate action.

Under the 2023 work programme for Our Rural Future my department will seek updates later this year from local authorities to establish what climate action interventions are included in their High-Level Goals and Sustainable Community Objectives in their forthcoming LECPs.

Based on updates provided, my department will consult with officials from the four Climate Action Regional Offices (CAROs) and, if required, provide further written guidance to LCDCs.

Question No. 99 answered orally.

Rural Schemes

Questions (100)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

100. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development for a status update on Building Acquisition Measure 2023; the details of the successful applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27790/23]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme was introduced in 2016 and is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. In 2022, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) prioritised projects that bring vacant and derelict buildings back into use and promote residential occupancy in town centres.

In recognition of the urgent need to transform and regenerate town centres I introduced a new Building Acquisition Measure under the 2022 Scheme. The purpose of this measure was to support local authorities to immediately acquire derelict or vacant buildings, with the intention of using these projects for town regeneration purposes in line with the aims of the overarching Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the Town Centre First policy. I am happy to confirm that 29 properties were purchased by local authorities under the 2022 Measure. Building on the success of the 2022 Measure, funding under the Building Acquisition Measure was made available again in 2023.

On 27 March 2023 I announced a new fund for this Measure which is again designed to tackle vacancy and dereliction in rural Ireland. This year the Measure provided an increased funding allocation of up to €500,000 to each local authority to purchase up to 3 vacant and derelict buildings for future development as community assets. The original closing date for receipt of applications under the Building Acquisition Measure was 28 April 2023 but this was extended to 5 May 2023 in response to requests from local authorities to extend the deadline.

A total of 35 applications, valued at just over €8m were received from 22 Local Authorities. This week I announced the first tranche of successful applications under this measure, 23 applications were approved for funding of €5.4m. A further tranche is still under consideration and any further successful applications will be announced shortly.

Properties purchased under the Building Acquisition Measure must form the basis of an application under a future TVRS call or be developed for town regeneration purposes via the local authorities' own resources or another funding stream by the end of 2025.