Written Answers Nos. 893-895
893. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the next round of Clár funding is expected to be announced; how much funding will be made available in the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33762/23]
View answerThe CLÁR Programme provides funding for small-scale projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population over a defined period. Since the Programme was relaunched in 2016, it has supported a wide range of measures.
Funding of €7.85m has been allocated for the 2023 CLÁR programme an increase of €0.5m on 2022.
I launched the 2023 Programme in March this year 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)
Some 330 applications have been received across all the measures with total funding requested of in excess of €14 million.
The assessment process is now underway and I expect to be in a position to make a decision on the Measure 2 projects in the coming weeks and on the Measure 1 and 3 projects in September.
894. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of WTE senior case managers at the grade of higher executive officer employed in the Charities Regulator in 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form. [33779/23]
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 recruitment.
The title 'Senior Case Manager' is not used within the Charities Regulator currently. The table below displays roles that may be similar to a Senior Case Manager, at Higher Executive Officer grade or equivalent.
|
Title |
Dec 2021 |
Dec 2022 |
July 2022 |
|
Compliance Concerns Manager |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Registration Manager |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Total |
3 |
3 |
4 |
895. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department or any agency under the aegis of her Department operates a ‘barter account’ for the provision of goods or services; if so, if payments have been directed to be made to a barter account during the period 2011 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34154/23]
View answerThe Department of Rural and Community Development was established in July 2017 and has not operated a barter account since its formation.
There are four agencies under my Department’s remit: the Western Development Commission, Pobal, Irish Water Safety, and the Charities Regulator. In respect of these bodies, information relating to such financial matters is a matter for the bodies concerned. They are all independent legal entities responsible for managing their own administration and corporate affairs in compliance with their statutory obligations.
In this instance I have asked the agencies to confirm the position within their organisations regarding the use of barter accounts, and they have all confirmed that they do not operate any such accounts.
