Holly Cairns
Question:1494. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the measures his Department is taking to improve recreational facilities and services for young people in Wexford town. [36396/23]
View answerRural Schemes
Questions (1494)
Written answers
I am happy to confirm that under Our Rural Future there are a number of measures and funding streams being progressed my Department to improve recreational facilities and services for all communities, including young people in Wexford town and indeed for young people right across the country.
Measures include the Community Centres Investment Fund, Community Recognition Fund, Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, LEADER Programme, Communities Enhancement Programme, Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme, and Libraries Development Programme.
The local community centre often represents a key space where a wide and varied range of interests, talents and skills that exist locally can be nurtured. To recognise this valuable local resource, I launched a new fund in 2022, the Community Centres Investment Fund. Following competitive assessment, I was pleased to announce significant investment of €45.8 million in 861 projects including the Wexford Arts Centre and St Joseph’s Community Centre, both of which received funding of over €80,000 each and are used by young people.
Under the Community Recognition Fund, my Department approved €50 million to over 880 projects in May this year. This Fund is specifically targeted at projects that are located in communities, towns and villages that are hosting the Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and/or International Protection Applicants. The Fund will support the development of facilities that will be used by all members of the community. The proposals range in scale of less than €1,000 to €1 million and include large scale multi-purpose sports facilities, upgrades to community facilities, equipment for sports clubs, walks, playgrounds, community buses and equipment for festivals. The new MUGA at Ferndale Park in Wexford Town was approved €100,000 to create a new multi-use games area.
The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) is central to Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, the new National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023 - 2027, which is set to shape the future of outdoor recreation over the next five years. ORIS funds new outdoor recreational infrastructure as well as providing for the necessary repair, enhancement or promotion of existing facilities in countryside areas across Ireland. Since the launch of the Scheme, funding in excess of €106 million has been approved to support more than 1,500 projects across Ireland. Whilst ORIS projects tend to be rural in nature my Department has allocated €200,000 for the development of the Three Rocks and Carrigfoyle walking Trails and almost €167,000 for the Forth Mountain Equestrian Trail and Ballybrittas Portal Tomb Walk. Both of these projects are close to Wexford and provide recreational amenities to the people of Wexford Town and beyond.
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 at www.gov.ie/DRCD. Recreational facilities and services for young people in Wexford town 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 Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) provides vital supports to community groups in disadvantaged areas across Ireland. Since 2018, the programme has provided €52.9 million in funding, with small grants for the improvement of facilities. The €10 million Community Support Fund (CSF) was established to help small community groups including youth groups with their energy/running costs but also to provide funding for small capital works projects. The CSF is now closed and details of successful groups in Wexford are available at www.gov.ie/DRCD . While there is likely to be a new iteration of the CEP in late 2023, the exact scope is yet to be determined. Groups are encouraged to engage with their Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), Local Development Companies and Public Participation Networks (PPN) to ensure they are aware of funding opportunities as they become available.
The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) is our country’s primary social inclusion intervention. SICAP aims to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion and equality. It does this through Programme Implementers, agencies and companies, who work with the most disadvantaged and the hardest to reach in their communities. SICAP actions are delivered by Wexford Local Development which provides direct supports to young people aged 15-24 years, supports to children and family activities, and direct supports to Local Community Groups and Social Enterprises. Wexford Local Development has supported 938 young people between 2018-2022. 192 Children and family activities were delivered with over 16,000 young people attending.
Finally, the Libraries Development Programme provides funding to Wexford County Council to enhance library services for young people in Wexford town. Dormant Accounts Funding is also available to support the provision of modern equipment in public libraries that improves accessibility for people with a disability and those with sensory needs, or autism.
Rural Schemes
Questions (1495)
Robert Troy
Question:1495. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will consider a review for the local improvement scheme to make it easier for land owners and rural dwellings to access the scheme. [36556/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Local Improvement Scheme (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 was reintroduced by my Department in 2017 following a number of years with no dedicated funding. I am committed to improving connectivity for rural and island 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.
The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) is covered in legislation by the Local Government Act 2001. Section 81 part (3) provides that;
(3) A road authority may provide assistance by way of the carrying out of works, a financial contribution or otherwise towards the construction or improvement of a non-public road which—
(a) provides access to parcels of land of which at least 2 are owned or occupied by different persons, or
(b) provides access for harvesting purposes (including turf or seaweed) for 2 or more persons, or
(c) shall in the opinion of the road authority be used by the public
The legislation provides that the Scheme is subject to other terms and conditions that are considered appropriate and as such, these are reviewed each year. There is continued demand for the scheme and my Department reviews the scheme criteria each year prior to launch. The prioritisation of roads for submission to my Department is a matter for each local authority in line with the Scheme Outline.
I have increased the funding for the Local Improvement Scheme each year since 2021 and allocated an additional €20.5 million during 2021 and 2022 towards the scheme. I launched the 2023 scheme in February this year with an increase in the base funding to €12 million and a further €0.55 million for improvement works on our offshore islands.
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.
I am committed to ensuring that a well funded LIS continues in the coming years, in line with our commitments under Our Rural Future.
Library Services
Questions (1496)
Seán Sherlock
Question:1496. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she has received any plans to establish a library in an area (details supplied). [36583/23]
View answerWritten answers
The delivery of public library services, including the provision of library premises, is a matter for each local authority in accordance with the Local Government Act, 2001. Accordingly, the delivery of library services in Blackrock Mahon is primarily a matter for Cork City Council.
I have been informed by Cork City Council that a potential site has been identified in principle for a library in Blackrock Mahon and discussions regarding this are ongoing between the local authority and CETB. My Department invited proposals for funding under a new Libraries Capital Programme in April 2023, but Cork City Council did not submit a proposal for Blackrock Mahon on this occasion as discussions had not been concluded before the submission date.
My Department previously advised Cork City Council to consider submitting an application for funding for Blackrock Mahon Library to the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), which is administered by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This fund was established to support sustainable development through the regeneration and rejuvenation of Ireland's five cities and other large towns.
Cork City Council have been advised of the requirement to simultaneously consult with my Department and the Local Government Management Agency, prior to the development of plans for a new public library in this location. They will then be required to submit a proposal to my Department for technical assessment to ensure that the project complies with the 'Public Library National Standards and Benchmarks' which guides the development of the public library service.
Cork City Council expect to be in a position to submit this documentation to my Department in the last quarter of 2023.
Departmental Communications
Questions (1497)
Brendan Smith
Question:1497. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if his Department, and all agencies under the remit of his Department, have their telephone contact details on their websites and on other media platforms; if all stationery and headed notepaper used in correspondence with the public contain relevant phone contact details, taking into account that everybody is not in a position to correspond by e-mail; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36702/23]
View answerWritten answers
While correspondence with my Department and across Government is increasingly digital in nature, letters and phone calls are still provided for. I can confirm that accurate telephone contact details are provided on my Department’s website, headed paper and social media platforms.
My Department has 4 agencies under its remit: Pobal, Charities Regulator, Western Development Commission and Water Safety Ireland. All are involved in working with, and on behalf of, the Department in the delivery of its objectives in relation to rural development, community development, regulation of the charities sector and promoting water safety in our communities.
Issues raised by the Deputy in relation to the visibility of telephone contact details on stationery, websites and other media platforms are a matter for the Board and executive management of the agencies in question. However, I will ensure that my officials remind those agencies of the importance of inclusivity in relation to corresponding with customers.
Rural Schemes
Questions (1498)
Carol Nolan
Question:1498. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide details relating to the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund for the development and construction of capital projects in towns and villages and rural areas across Ireland; the distribution of the fund to date; to provide details of each project across Ireland, and the total value of allocation in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36869/23]
View answerWritten answers
The 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 €403 million for projects costing €551.7 million.
Calls for applications to the Fund are sought under two categories – Category 1 and Category 2. Category 1 relates to large scale ambitious capital projects with all necessary planning and other consents in place, and which are ready to proceed. Category 2 provides smaller grant funding to enable the development of project proposals suitable for future calls for Category 1 applications.
The below table provides information on individual projects and their funding amounts.
Rural Schemes
Questions (1499)
Carol Nolan
Question:1499. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide details on the number of town regeneration officers in each local authority in order to drive forward Town Centre First on a local level, and the funding for these positions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36871/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Town Centre First (TCF) Policy is a major cross-government policy that aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres. It supports the Our Rural Future vision for a thriving rural Ireland which is integral to our national economic, social, cultural and environmental wellbeing and development.
Town Regeneration Officers (TRO) are being appointed across the 26 rural local authorities as a key driver of the policy at local level. They will support local towns and Town Teams, acting as a key link to the local authority. They will support the establishment and ongoing work of Town Teams, providing technical, communications, administrative and project management support to Town Teams and supporting access to funding. TRO's will ensure the development and delivery of Town Centre First at a local level.
TRO’s work closely with the multi-disciplinary technical teams in local authorities, including for example Vacant Homes Officers, building linkages with the Town Team and other stakeholders.
My Department has committed to providing €100,000 per annum in funding to cover both pay and non-pay costs to each eligible local authority for this position for a fixed 3 year period.
Twenty five out of a total 26 TRO’s have been appointed to date, with the remaining position in County Kildare to be appointed shortly. Please see table below listing local authorities with TROs.
The establishment of the National Town Centre First Office is key to the success of the TCF policy. The Office is supporting Town Regeneration Officers in driving implementation at a local level and coordinates stakeholder engagement on an ongoing basis. The National Office also coordinates the TRO Network, which is a platform to support knowledge development and sharing best practice at a national level. This Group meets on a monthly basis. The National Office structure is within the Local Government Management Association, and my Department officials are in ongoing contact with the National Office.
My Department remains committed to the success of the Town Centre First policy to deliver on the goal of revitalising rural towns and villages as set out in Our Rural Future.
Local Authorities with Town Regeneration Officer posts
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Waterford |
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Westmeath |
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Wexford |
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Wicklow |
Rural Schemes
Questions (1500)
Christopher O'Sullivan
Question:1500. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the total number of hubs onboarded in each county since the national hub network (connectedhubs.ie) was launched; and the total amount of funding in each county towards same, in tabular form. [36997/23]
View answerWritten answers
Our Rural Future, Ireland’s Rural Development Policy was launched in early 2021. The policy recognises the opportunity for rural rejuvenation that remote working presents and commits to establishing a comprehensive and integrated national network of 400 remote working hubs by 2025.
In furtherance of this commitment, my Department’s focus to date has been strategically developing the National Hub Network and the shared online booking platform connectedhubs.ie, adding capacity to Ireland's existing remote working infrastructure, and supporting the establishment of new hubs.
In May 2021 I launched the National Hub Network and its online booking platform, connectedhubs.ie. The platform offers a suite of booking and hub management applications to members of the Network. It also facilitates the sharing of innovation, experience and best practices across the community. These Connected Hubs supports serve to maximise benefit to member hubs, hub clients, local communities and the wider economy.
To date, 321 hubs have joined the Connected Hub Network and been on-boarded to the platform. This number is growing all the time, meaning we are well on track to meet our target of 400 remote working hubs nationwide by 2025. A breakdown by county of on-boarded hubs has been provided in Appendix 1.
To date, approximately €150m has been invested by my Department towards the establishment and development of remote working facilities through programmes such as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. Successful projects are developed in collaboration with local authorities and communities, with many projects seeing vacant and derelict buildings in rural towns and villages converted into remote working hubs.
In terms of direct funding supports for hubs on the connected hubs network, in 2021 and 2022 my Department provided €14 million in funding to almost 200 projects via the Connected Hubs Call under the umbrella of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. This funding enabled successful applicants to add additional capacity to existing remote working infrastructure in digital hubs and Broadband Connection Points across the network.
A breakdown by county of 2021 and 2022 Connected Hubs Call funding has also been provided in Appendix 1.
Rural Schemes
Questions (1501)
Christopher O'Sullivan
Question:1501. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the total amount of funding allocated to local authorities for the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund since the formation of this Government; to list the towns in each county that have been allocated funding and the project title, in tabular from; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36998/23]
View answerWritten answers
The 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 €403 million for projects costing almost €551.7 million.
Calls for applications to the Fund are sought under two categories – Category 1 and Category 2. Category 1 relates to large scale ambitious capital projects with all necessary planning and other consents in place, and which are ready to proceed. Category 2 provides smaller grant funding to enable the development of project proposals suitable for future calls for Category 1 applications
Since the formation of the Government on 27 June 2020 to date, a total of €219,344,556.39 of funding has been allocated to Local Authorities, as the lead body for approved projects under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.
The table below lists the towns in each county that have been allocated funding and the project title:
Towns in each county that have been allocated funding and the project title