Written Answers Nos. 1474-1493
1474. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the projected cost of funding the cost of subscriptions to access research for all postgraduate students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36924/23]
View answerUnder the Universities Act 1997, Technological Universities Act 2018 and the Institutes of Technology Acts 1992 to 2006, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are autonomous entities including with regard to the management of their library facilities and as such my Department has no function in this matter.
My Department does, however, provide funding to the Irish Research eLibrary (IReL), which is a nationally funded e-resource licensing consortium providing access to leading science, technology and medicine and humanities and social sciences resources on behalf of participating Irish publicly funded HEIs. IReL delivers quality peer-reviewed online research publications including journals, ebooks, databases and index and abstracting services.
In 2020 the Technological University (TU) Transformation Fund administered by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) allocated € 1.2 million to TU Dublin for IReL related activity.
In 2021 and 2022 the HEA delivered €2.6 million to IReL for the support of transformative agreements and €300,000 for IReL management costs. This support is linked to the open research agenda in the context of moves to counter costs through the creation and use of open access materials and open educational resources including open textbooks. My department also provides €5.85m annually to support IReL, outside of these supports.
In April 2022 under additional TU oriented funding secured by my Department and the HEA under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, the HEA signed a sector wide grant agreement with all 5 technological universities, Dundalk Institute of Technology and Dun Laoghaire, Institute of Art, Design and Technology for delivery of an education and training reforms programme which includes work packages to adopt and deploy IReL across the entirety of the technological sector.
1476. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has sought a travel visa waiver system for all international students attending a HEI on the island of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36926/23]
View answerMobility of international students between Ireland and Northern Ireland is a matter for the Department of Justice and for the Home Office in the United Kingdom.
1477. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the projected cost of removing the resident criteria from the free fees initiative for those in international protection in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36927/23]
View answerIn order to qualify for funding under the Department's Free Fees Initiative (FFI) students must meet the criteria of the scheme including the separate residency and nationality/citizenship requirements in their own right. Under the FFI, persons who have been provided with an International Protection permission that conveys rights to access education on the same basis as an Irish person are eligible to meet the nationality criteria of the FFI.
In order to meet the residency criteria a student must have been ordinarily resident in an EU/EEA/Swiss/UK state for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to an approved third level course. All students are required to meet the residency criteria of the scheme.
The Deputy will be aware that the protection process covers applications from third country nationals for asylum or subsidiary protection. Persons who make an unsuccessful application under the protection process can make an application to the Minister for Justice for leave to remain. Individuals who are successful under any of these three processes can meet the nationality criterion under the Free Fees Initiative (FFI).
The potential costs associated with introducing a change to the Free Fees Initiative to remove the residency criterion for those in international protection in Ireland are not readily available. Any assessment of the residency criterion would have to consider the wider implications of such a change for those outside of the protection process, such as persons in the leave to remain process and for EU/EEA/Swiss/UK nationals.
The Deputy may wish to note that persons in the protection or leave to remain process may be eligible for financial supports under the International Protection Student Scheme (IPSS). This scheme provides supports for eligible students pursuing post leaving certificate, undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The IPSS provides supports which are similar to those which are available under the statutory Student Grant Scheme administer by SUSI.
1478. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what supports his Department provides for the promotion of the Irish language in HEIs; if he has plans for such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36928/23]
View answerThe Higher Education Authority Act, which was enacted in October 2022, requires that higher education institutions (HEIs) promote the Irish language. While the Act mandates the promotion of the Irish language in HEIs, the responsibility for developing and implementing specific Irish-language courses and strategies lies with each autonomous HEI.
The Department of Further and Higher Education; Research; Innovation and Science distributes recurrent funding to the Higher Education Authority for disbursement directly to designated HEIs through a block grant. The internal allocation of this funding, including expenditure on Irish-language education initiatives, falls to the individual institution.
The Department sponsors 'Gníomhaí Gaeilge', the Conradh na Gaeilge initiative which is run in conjunction with the Union of Students of Ireland. It offers Irish language clubs and societies with skills and mentorship in developing the use of the language within Higher Education.
Under the auspices of the Minister and Department for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, and Media, there is a goal to ensure improved public services through the Irish language. This is done through the provisions and regulations of the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021 that apply to all public bodies under the Act. The Advanced Irish Language Skills Initiative, funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, is intended to ensure the availability of qualified persons with Irish language skills to meet recruitment needs in Ireland and the EU. It supports a range of specialised third level Irish language courses in areas such as translation, interpretation and law, with 8 courses available in 5 different institutions.
There is already a broad range of courses available in Irish in higher education institutions, with student returns statistics showing 106 courses available in Irish with 2,510 enrolments in 2021/2022.
1479. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what specific funding is available for courses to be taught or run through the medium of Irish; the amount spent in each year since 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36929/23]
View answerThe Department distributes recurrent funding to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for disbursement directly to the HEA's designated higher education institutions. The HEA distributes this funding as a block grant to the institutions. As autonomous bodies, payment of this funding, including any expenditure on Irish-language education initiatives, falls to the individual institution, and so no consolidated expenditure figures are available.
The HEA sponsors the Conradh na Gaeilge initiative, ‘Gníomhaí Gaeilge,’ which is run in conjunction with the Union of Students of Ireland to develop Irish language activities in HEIs for a 3-year period starting in 2022 to the value of €50,000 per annum. It offers Irish language clubs and societies with skills and mentorship in developing the use of the language within Higher Education.
The amount of courses in Higher Education delivering Irish language tuition or delivered through the medium of Irish is not collected by this Department, however HEIs may have this information. The HEA student returns statistics show 106 courses available in Irish with 2,510 enrolments in 2021/22, however this may not capture all provision. A list of these 106 courses is attached.
The Advanced Irish Language Skills Initiative, funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, is to ensure the availability of qualified persons with Irish language skills to meet recruitment needs in Ireland and the EU. Under this scheme the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht provides funding for a range of specialised third level Irish language courses in areas such as translation, interpretation and law. Further information on this Initiative can be found in the following link www.gov.ie/en/publication/7c05c-third-level-education/.
Under the Advanced Irish Language Strategic Initiative there are 8 courses available in 5 different institutions. HEA’s student record system (SRS) database shows there were 73 students enrolled in these courses in 2019/2020, 84 students enrolled in 2020/2021 and 70 enrolled in 2021/2022.
The Department for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science will continue to be committed to the implementation of the Official Languages Act and provision of Irish-language services.
1480. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what monitoring his Department or the HEA carry out to ensure a consistent policy approach to the allocation of funding to student unions by HEIs; his plans for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36930/23]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that higher education institutions receive funding from a variety of sources which contribute to the expenditure associated with the full range of institutional activities. Funding includes recurrent funding allocated by my Department to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for direct disbursement to HEA funded higher education institutions. The HEA allocates this funding as a block grant to the institutions.
Institutions also receive tuition fees, which incorporate the previous student services charge following the introduction of the student contribution in 2011. As autonomous bodies the internal disbursement of funding, including the funding of student services, is a matter for the individual institution.
Student services and associated activities can fall under a range of areas and activities including student unions. Neither my Department nor the HEA has a direct function in relation to the determination of the allocation of funding to student unions.
1481. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what capital funding is available to HEIs for renewable energy investments on campuses; if his Department supports the creation of micro-grids in these institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36931/23]
View answer1482. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if an assessment of retrofitting HEI buildings to a B2 BER standard has been carried out; the projected cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36932/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1481 and 1482 together.
I can advise the Deputy that energy efficiency and decarbonisation initiatives in the Higher Education Sector are underway since 2020, through the Energy Efficiency and Decarbonsation Pathfinder Programme(EEPDPP) initiatives which are jointly funded by my Department and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Micro grids are not an area that my department has specifically taken a view on as yet. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have a number of avenues available to them to avail of funding for renewable energy investment. Devolved Grant funding of €40m in 2023 could be used by universities, subject to defined expenditure limits, to directly invest in micro grid solutions. Additionally, many HEIs also have access to own resources which they may use for investment in renewable energy.
A survey of all higher education buildings was undertaken by the HEA through the 'space survey' in 2020. The main target for decarbonisation of HEIs (in order to meet the 2030 targets set by the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021)? is replacing fossil fuel heating systems. This can be achieved in a number of ways but is often accompanied by a requirement for retrofitting the fabric of buildings.
An Energy Efficiency and Decarbonisation Pathfinder Programme (EEDPP) in Higher Education 2020 was co-funded with Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) in order to test and demonstrate energy retrofit approaches, build scale, and inform key stakeholders. A Programme fund of up to €5.9 million (co-funded by the SEAI) was approved in this initial phase. Approved projects are being progressed through various stages of design, planning and construction. Seven were nearing completion or at completion stage at year end 2022.
A second phase of the EEDPP (Higher Education) was agreed in 2021. The EEDPP 2021 (HE) aimed to consolidate the learnings from EEDPP 2020 and build on the solutions identified in the ‘Higher Education Decarbonisation Pathways’ Report. The programme made funding available for six pathways identified in the report with the aim of assisting key stakeholders to better understand how these pathways might be undertaken. Under the EEDPP 2021, HEIs were invited to submit proposals for retrofit works to existing buildings which were in line with the pathways identified in the HEA Decarbonisation Report. Eight projects were successful under EEDPP 2021 and are currently at design stage.
A new round of the EEDPP is now being progressed in Higher Education in 2023. The HEA submitted an evaluation report to the Department and the SEAI and it is currently under the final stages of consideration. It should be noted that all projects under each round of the EEDPP (HE) to date have targeted achievement of a BER-B and this criteria remains in place for further calls. The HEA are in the process of collating the learning and information available from the ongoing EEDPP projects, in addition to assessing the individual institute-level decarbonisation roadmaps.
1483. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide a comprehensive summary of the funding allocated to PhD researchers broken down by State aids, higher education institution contributions, and other resources; the number of researchers benefiting from each category of funding; the corresponding stipend each researcher receives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36934/23]
View answer1484. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science how many part-time PhD researchers receive stipends; how many PhD students work with the backing of an employer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36935/23]
View answer1486. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide or a complete tally of how many non-EU/EEA PhD researchers are enrolled in Ireland; the estimated calculation for the aggregate fees these non-EU/EEA PhD researchers pay to Irish higher education institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36937/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1483, 1484 and 1486 together.
The Higher Education Authority (HEA) is responsible for the collection, analysis and dissemination of all student and graduate data returned to the HEA from all HEA-funded institutions via the Student Record System. The latest data available relates to the academic year 2021/2022.
There were 2,677 Non-EU PhD enrolments in that year: (hea.ie/statistics/data-for-download-and-visualisations/students/). Data on fees paid is not available as the matter rests with the individual higher education institutions (HEIs).
With respect to funding allocated to PhD researchers, the table below (extracted from the Review Co-Chairs' first report) outlines public expenditure on stipend supports for PhD researchers.
|
Funded by |
Enrolments |
Stipend |
|
SFI/ IRC |
3,000 |
€19,000 |
|
Higher Education Institutions |
2,000 |
€9,640* |
|
Other Competitive Funders** |
1,000 |
€18,500 |
|
Self-funded (may be in receipt of external financial supports (from home country, etc), employed, or self-financed)) |
4,000*** |
- |
|
Total |
~10,000 |
* HEI awards are wide-ranging, typically anything from €5,000 to €18,500. The estimated average per awardee was €9,640
** EU Marie Curie excluded; assumed to be not significant.
*** Excluded on the basis that these are not publicly-funded.
With regard to part-time enrolments, according to the HEA statistics, 1,660 part-time PhD researchers were in Irish HEIs for the academic year 2021/2022. The HEIs also reported 331 part-time Research Master students to the HEA for the same time period. Data on their funding sources are not available. Those who are supported by their employer, home country, etc., i.e. not publicly funded, may be in receipt of some form of financial assistance from these other sources but this data is not collected centrally by the HEA or by the individual HEIs.
1485. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide copies of all Department records or briefings supplied to the chairpersons of the National Review of State Supports for PhD researchers as referenced on page 32 of the report where the chairs express gratitude for the evidence synthesis support from colleagues in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36936/23]
View answerIn November 2022, the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, appointed Dr Andrea Johnson and Mr David Cagney to undertake an independent National Review of State Supports for PhD Researchers. This reflects the objective, under the dedicated Talent Pillar of Impact 2030, Ireland’s national research and innovation strategy, for a consistent research student experience across funders, institutions and research disciplines.
The Review Terms of Reference comprise examination of:
-Current financial supports for PhD researchers,
-The adequacy, consistency and equity of current arrangements,
-The status of PhD researchers (employee/ student) including a review of international comparators,
-Impact on the funding of research programmes of any adjustments to current supports,
-Graduate outcomes, including return on investment,
-Visa requirements and duration for non-EU students.
The Co-Chairs, recently submitted their first report to the Minister. This was brought to Cabinet on Tuesday 20 June for information and was published on the Department’s web site on Monday 26 June.
Their recommendations were based on extensive consultation in spring 2023, with over 750 written submissions received and meetings held with 35 stakeholder organisations.
The evidence synthesis underpinning the Co-Chairs' recommendations is reflected in the published report, for example, under Section 2.4 on International Comparators, Section 4.1 on Financial Supports, Section 5.1 on Graduate Outcomes, and Section 6 on particular issues facing non-EU/ EEA students.
Their priority now, with the support of my officials, is to prepare their concluding independent report in which they will consider the outstanding review terms of references, namely the status of PhD students and the consistency and equity of approaches in PhD provision, with particular regard to underrepresented groups.
1487. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide the latest breakdown, by county, of apprenticeship registration levels and total apprenticeship population levels, by trade and sector, for each of the years 2020 to 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [37048/23]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy in relation to the breakdown of apprenticeship registration and populations is being compiled by SOLAS. An answer will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1488. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the review of access to further education to those with disabilities; the timeline on this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37164/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, SOLAS provides funding under the Fund for Students with Disabilities to the ETBs, who manage the funding allocations to PLC colleges for services and accommodations required to support students with disabilities in accordance with the guidelines issued by SOLAS. The Strategic Performance Agreements for 2022-24 agreed between SOLAS and the individual ETBs provide for the rolling out of the FSD across wider FET provision. SOLAS is currently reviewing the roll out of consistent learner supports prior to the issuing of revised associated guidelines and my Department has requested SOLAS to examine the provision of personal assistant services as part of this review.
SOLAS are also undertaking an independent evaluation of the ‘Specialist Training Provision for People with Disabilities’ programme. The purpose of the evaluation is to generate evidence-based conclusions and propose recommendations about the quality, effectiveness, on-going relevance and overall value of vocational training that is currently delivered by ‘Specialist Training Provision’ and the integration of this training within the wider further education and training provision by ETBs. The evaluation is underway and due for completion in Q4 2023.
Widening Participation is one of the 12 national targets for the FET system under the Strategic Performance Agreements for 2022-24 with a target of returning participation levels of key groups, including those with a disability, to preCovid 2019 levels. The national system target for 2022 of 16,788, was exceeded with the ETBs reporting 18,810 unique learners from these key groups. The number of learners with a disability was 12,578.
1489. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the financial allocations in 2019, 2020, 2022 and to date in 2023 under the seniors alert scheme nationally, in tabular form; the financial allocations for the same years under this scheme for Cork county and city; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35686/23]
View answerMy Department is responsible for the Seniors Alert Scheme which 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. Funding is available under the scheme for the purchase by a registered community based-organisation of a personal alarm or pendant.
The Senior Alert Scheme is demand led and funding is allocated to meet the demand under the Scheme and is not divided on a geographical basis.
Since 2019, the budget allocation for the Scheme has been €2.3 million per annum.
The allocation and total expenditure for the Scheme for the period 2019 to 2023 is in Table 1 below.
Table 1: Allocation and Expenditure 2019-2023
|
Year |
Allocation €m |
Expenditure €m |
|
2019 |
2.3 |
5.3 |
|
2020 |
2.3 |
5.1 |
|
2021 |
2.3 |
4.8 |
|
2022 |
2.3 |
4.6 |
|
2023 |
2.3 |
|
As this is a demand led scheme, it will be kept under continuous review by myself and officials in my Department to ensure adequate funding can be made available to meet the requirements of all qualifying applicants. There is also provision under the Dormant Accounts Fund Action Plan for funding to meet the additional and exceptional demands of the Scheme. It should be noted that there was a decrease in participant applications during the COVID pandemic. However, applications are now increasing and it is anticipated that demand will reach pre-pandemic levels in the coming year.
Since 2016, almost 14,000 participants have been approved for the Scheme in County Cork, with 2019 to 2023 participant numbers broken down in Table 2 below:
Table 2: Approved Participants in Cork 2019-2023
|
Year |
Approved Participants Co Cork |
|
2019 |
2,256 |
|
2020 |
1,917 |
|
2021 |
1,810 |
|
2022 |
2,055 |
|
2023 (to end of June) |
1,078 |
The current lot-based tender system for suppliers combines a number of counties across a number of lots, and payments are made to the suppliers in each of these lots. Therefore it is not possible to say with full accuracy how much funding has been given to each county.
1490. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she has budgeted for the LIS scheme for 2023; the demand for the scheme; the financial allocation to date, by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35687/23]
View answerThe 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. I am committed to improving connectivity for rural residents, whether it be access to homes, farms or outdoor amenities. Since 2017 my Department has allocated over €113 million to local authorities under the Local Improvement Scheme. This has upgraded, up to end of 2022, over 3,700 non-public roads and lanes which has benefitted over 16,000 landowners and residents in these rural areas.
From 2017 to 2022, a total of €7.36 million was allocated to County Cork which saw improvement works carried out on 186 roads. Additional funding of €20.5 million was allocated to the scheme over 2021 and 2022.
There is continued demand for the scheme and 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 continue to monitor expenditure within my Department to ascertain if savings will arise which would facilitate additional funding to the Local Improvement Scheme. I hope to make a further announcement in this regard shortly.
Finally, I am continuing to engage with my colleague, the Minister for Transport regarding his Department contributing to a jointly funded Locally Improvement Scheme. I am committed to ensure that a well funded LIS continues in the coming years, in line with our commitments under Our Rural Future.
1491. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the action her Department has taken to honour the Programme for Government pledge to ensure that Government Departments and public bodies take positive steps, including the use of correct pronouns and, where possible, making improvements on official forms, to assist non-binary people. [35835/23]
View answerEquality and inclusion are intrinsic to my Department’s values and it is an equal opportunities employer. The Department of Rural and Community Development's programmes, policies and practices promote and advance social justice, equality, diversity and inclusivity across the range of interventions and supports to communities.
The Department is committed to human rights, equality and anti-discrimination in accordance with the Public Sector Duty obligation of the Human Rights and Equality Commission Act, 2014 and has a working group in place to progress actions under this obligation. All staff in the Human Resources unit of the Department have completed the IHREC course ‘Equality and Human Rights in the Public Service’.
The Department’s People Strategy 2022-2025 commits to respecting and encouraging the diverse nature of our staff, and ensuring that they are valued and have a voice. One of the actions included in the People Strategy is to develop an Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (E, D & I) action plan, with work starting on this shortly. This includes providing training and education in equality, diversity and inclusion, giving staff access to relevant information and supports, and continuing to promote a positive and inclusive culture in line with the Department’s values.
Most recently, many Department staff attended webinars themed around PRIDE month and information regarding terminology and inclusive language has been distributed to all staff.
As the majority of the Department's stakeholders are community groups or organisations, our forms do not request this specific type of information. However, the training and education to be provided in the areas of E,D and I, will ensure that staff are knowledgeable in the use of correct pronouns when liaising with stakeholders as well as with colleagues internally.
1492. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the options available from her Department and other related agencies to a volunteer-run community centre in County Louth (details supplied) that wishes to explore the installation of roof solar panels and EV charging points; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35925/23]
View answerMy Department recognises the vital role that community centres play at the heart of each community in bringing people together, engaging with those who may be marginalised or disadvantaged, and building stronger, more coherent communities.
In recent years, grants under the Town and Village Renewal Schemes, CLÁR Programme, LEADER Programme and the Community Enhancement Programme have supported the development of, and improvements to, community facilities including community centres. Such centres represent a safe, positive and accessible space for all manner of community activities.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) supports small to medium capital projects which enhance the environment of town or village centres. This includes renovation or refurbishment to existing community centres where there is a clearly identified need or rationale. Under TVRS grant funding for projects ranges from €20,000 to €500,000. We strive to support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable projects for communities throughout Ireland and support the National Planning Framework commitments through targeted policy and investment that empowers communities, supports sustainable rural regeneration and fosters regional growth.
I launched CLÁR 2023 on 29 March 2023, Measure 1 of that scheme provides funding for Developing Community Facilities and Amenities. Applications for this year’s programme have been submitted to my Department and are currently being considered by my officials
The LEADER programme has been operating successfully in Ireland for over 30 years, and is based on a community-led approach to rural development. Over that time LEADER has demonstrated a very strong track record in supporting communities and enterprises in progressing job creation, social inclusion and environmental projects at local level. The process to select Local Actions Groups to deliver the 2023-2027 LEADER programme is under way at present. Full details of the selection process are available on my Department’s website. The consultative processes that underpin the development of the new programme have identified a number of key themes that will provide the framework for the LEADER programme in the 2023-207 programme. These themes are:
• Economic development and job creation
• Rural infrastructure and social inclusion, and
• Sustainable development of the rural environment and climate change mitigation and adaptation
The organisation as referred to by the Deputy may be eligible for funding under these themes. In the first instance contact should be made with the Local Action group for the area. LAG details are available on the Department’s website. The 2023-2027 LEADER programme will be operational in Quarter 3 of this year and I look forward to its implementation and to ensuring that LEADER can continue to deliver real benefits to rural communities across Ireland.
I encourage all organisations to check my department’s website gov.ie - Department of Rural and Community Development and to keep in touch with their Local Community Development Committee for information on funding opportunities.
I understand that The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) also operates a Community Grant Scheme. The Community Grant programme supports new approaches to achieving energy efficiency in Irish communities. Such grants may be available to community organisation who wish to improve the energy efficiency of community buildings.
1493. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of funding approved to a group (details supplied) from 2012 to date; what terms and conditions were attached to each funding approval, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36158/23]
View answerI understand that since my Department was established in 2017, no funding has been allocated to the group referenced by the Deputy.
