Written Answers Nos. 1-70
47. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development what additional funding and resources she will provide to help create inclusive communities and to combat the influence of far right individuals and groups in communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41606/23]
View answerMy Department's mission is to promote rural and community development and to support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland. The underlying basis for all funding delivered through my Department's community development programmes is to enable communities themselves to identify and address their needs in this context.
The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) is a national programme overseen by my Department that aims to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion and equality by supporting disadvantaged communities and individuals. Delivered in both rural and urban areas by Local Development Companies (LDC’s), the supports provided are based on needs identified at a local level.
SICAP has two overall programme goals - Goal One provides supports to community groups and Goal Two involves support for individuals. The programme has significant flexibility to address the locally identified needs of those most marginalised in our communities.
New communities have been a target group for SICAP in both the current and previous programming periods and a Pobal report in 2021 emphasised the importance of SICAP in providing supports to these communities.
I believe SICAP is a hugely important programme and I was delighted to secure a total increase of €5.3 million for the programme over the last 2 years, increasing its annual funding allocation to €44.4m. In addition, to assist in the community response to the arrival of Ukrainians, a total of €15 million in SICAP funding was provided to Local Development Companies in 2022 and 2023.
Funding for SICAP is subject to the annual budgetary process. I can assure the Deputy that I review the level of funding for all programmes each year as part of the budgetary process and it remains my intention to continue to prioritise funding for SICAP.
56. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her intended timeframe to implement an effective rural proofing model as committed in the ‘Our Rural Future’ policy. [41278/23]
View answerOur Rural Future commits to developing an effective rural proofing model to ensure that significant new proposals fully consider the perspective of rural communities.
To advance this measure, my officials commissioned a research report on rural proofing which was published in January 2023. It outlines options that could be applied in the Irish context and assesses the merits and potential barriers to their implementation.
Supported by international evidence, the report confirms that no ‘one size fits all’ approach can be quickly and successfully implemented. Informed by these conclusions, my Department is developing a nationally applicable approach by first applying rural proofing concepts to a number of pilot test initiatives.
This includes rural proofing the first review of the National Planning Framework which is now underway and which is being led by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. My officials are also working with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in relation to rural proofing and the development of the new Sustainable Tourism Policy. Similarly, within my own Department, work is also progressing on the development of the new National Hubs Strategy and a new Social Enterprise Policy, and the incorporation of rural proofing forms part of this work.
The evidence drawn from this approach will serve to identify the best way forward to support Government Department's in incorporating a full consideration of the rural perspective into their policy making processes. This will help to ensure that policy formulation more effectively considers both the challenges that exist in rural areas and, just as importantly, the opportunities that exist in rural areas. By ensuring that these perspective are central to policy making processes, we can ensure the delivery of better and more impactful policy.
I expect the work on the pilot initiatives to be concluded in early 2024, at which point we will have a firmer foundation of evidence on which to build an effective rural proofing model.
57. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to provide additional funding to local development companies to support the increased demand they are experiencing for training, language and employment services, which are vital to the integration of new communities. [41338/23]
View answerMy Department's mission is to promote rural and community development and to support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland.
The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), overseen by my Department, is our country’s primary social inclusion programme which aims to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion and equality by supporting disadvantaged communities and individuals. This is a national programme that is delivered in both rural and urban areas by Local Development Companies (LDC’s) to help those in the greatest need.
SICAP aims to support the provision of services and enable connections to individuals and groups in search of the types of supports detailed by the deputy. The Department of Further and Higher Education Research, Innovation and Science as well as the Department of Social Protection provide a diversity of supports in the areas outlined in the deputies question.
I believe SICAP is a hugely important programme and I was delighted to secure a total increase of €5.3 million for the programme over the last 2 years, increasing its annual funding allocation to €44.4m. In addition, to assist in the community response to the arrival of Ukrainians, a total of €15 million in SICAP funding was provided to Local Development Companies in 2022 and 2023.
Funding for SICAP is subject to the annual budgetary process. I can assure the Deputy that I review the level of funding for all programmes each year as part of the budgetary process and it remains my intention to continue to prioritise funding for SICAP.
60. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the number of days subsided for heavy cargo to Cape Clear and Sherkin Islands can be increased to 85 days per year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41351/23]
View answerAs the deputy may be aware, the current contract for the heavy cargo service for the Roaringwater Bay islands and Cape Clear was agreed in July 2021 and makes provision for 58 sailing days per year of its term.
The agreed level of service was based on service usage in previous contracts, as well as taking into account representations made by island communities and groups during the consultation phase for renewal of the service in 2021.
Due to the size and value of the current contract, it was procured by tender on the open market, abiding by all relevant procurement rules and regulations. During final contract negotiations with the successful tenderer, it was further agreed that the 58 sailing days would be calculated on an hourly basis, rather than calendar days, thus ensuring that the island communities receive the best possible heavy cargo service.
As the contract has been agreed and is being implemented, the Department is precluded from introducing any material changes, during the contract term, that would deviate from the terms of the competition.
Therefore, it is not possible to unilaterally increase the number of sailing days as suggested by the Deputy. Furthermore, to do so would ultimately undermine the contract that underpins the service.
However, the service contract is due to be renewed in July 2024. My Department will engage with island communities and their representative groups over the coming months to assess the current service and to gauge their likely requirements, including extra sailing days if necessary.
61. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to clarify how a rural, sparsely populated area within an illegible electoral division, adjacent to an already-eligible electoral division, can apply to be covered by the next Leader Programme. [41375/23]
View answerThe LEADER programme, a key intervention of Our Rural Future, promotes a community-led approach that involves the participation of local communities in developing responses to key economic, environmental and social challenges. Using this approach LEADER emphasises the centrality of rural communities to the programme.
The programme is delivered by Local Action Groups in 28 sub-regional areas across rural Ireland. The Groups, who have applied to deliver the 2023-2027 LEADER Programme, were required to identify initiatives in their Local Development Strategy to address the challenges in their area. In developing these Local Development Strategies, the Groups encouraged participation by all parties who wished to contribute to this process to ensure that each Strategy is representative of local community needs.
It was a matter for the applicant Groups to outline and identify in their strategy the electoral areas they proposed to focus on for the 2023-2027 Programme, based on the consultations they had undertaken. All eligible applicant Groups submitted their strategies in July 2023 and these are currently being assessed.
Once the strategy is selected and the Group is operational, any proposed changes to the geographic areas would be a matter for the Group to consider and to seek approval from the Department to implement the changes.
I recently announced the approval of the first two successful Local Action Groups to deliver the new LEADER programme in Carlow and Tipperary. My Department’s focus now is to complete the selection of the remaining Local Action Groups to ensure a timely and smooth transition from the 2014-2020 programme.
LEADER has been operating very successfully in Ireland for over 30 years now, and I am confident that the new LEADER programme will continue to deliver for rural communities all across the country.
62. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question Nos. and 2104 and 2105 of 11 September 2023, the number of meetings to date in 2023 of the steering committee tasked with monitoring progress on the development of the piers on Inis Oírr and Inis Meáin, and the dates of same; if minutes are kept in respect of these meetings; the date of the next meeting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41369/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, responsibility for the development of piers on Inis Meáin and Inis Oírr rests with Galway County Council. Officials from my Department meet regularly with members of Galway County Council to monitor progress of the development of the piers.
So far in 2023, a total of 14 meetings have been held, typically every fortnight with minutes kept of each meeting.
Substantial progress has been made in the development of these projects recently.
The first phase of tenders for Inis Oírr pier have now been received and are currently being evaluated by Galway County Council. Upon completion of this process, the qualified tenderers will proceed to the next phase of the tender process in the coming weeks.
Regarding Inis Meáin, it is my understanding that officials from Galway County Council are preparing the necessary documents to appoint consultants to assist in preparing a Preliminary Business Case which will look at options for providing safe harbour facilities on Inis Meáin. The draft documents were discussed at a meeting between my Department and the County Council last week.
Regarding the dates of those meetings this year, two were held in January on the 10th and 24th. February saw one meeting take place on the 21st, while March had two on the 7th and 21st.
In April, meetings took place on the 4th and 18th, while May saw one meeting on the 16th. Owing to the launch of Our Living Islands in June, one meeting was held on the 27th of June, while July had meetings on the 11th and the 25th. One meeting took place in August on the 15th and two in September on the 5th and the 19th.
The next meeting of this steering committee is scheduled for the 3rd of October.
63. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will report on her Department's new Statement of Strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41171/23]
View answerThe Statement of Strategy 2023-2025 for the Department of Rural and Community Development was published in August and is available on the Departments website.
Publication followed an extensive consultation with a wide range of stakeholders. This process has reaffirmed much of our existing strategic mission and approach, and in many ways, this strategy is an extension of what has come before, building on the progress achieved in our last strategy.
The Strategy sets out the vision and strategic goals that will guide the work of the Department over the period 2023 to 2025 as it continues to deliver on its mission “to promote rural and community development and to support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland”.
The five strategic goals set out in the Strategy are to;
1. Advance the economic and social development of rural areas, including the offshore islands;
2. Contribute to and support national regional development objectives;
3. Support empowered, inclusive and resilient communities and a thriving volunteer culture;
4. Enable the community, voluntary, charity, philanthropic and social economy sectors to contribute fully to civil society, and;
5. Foster and maintain a high performance culture and organisation to achieve our mission in the interests of all communities.
The Department has an excellent track record of delivery since its establishment in 2017, both in terms of policy development and the expansion of funding schemes which are vital for rural areas and communities throughout the country. This Statement of Strategy will frame continued progress by my Department in the coming years.
64. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if consideration has been given to the request for subvention for travel on the Dursey cable car for people within the community with links to the island; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41352/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Dursey Island Cable Car service is wholly owned and operated by Cork County Council and they are ultimately responsible for all aspects of the service.
Cork County Council provides the day to day management of the service and also sets the terms and conditions under which the service is delivered.
The council is also responsible for setting a schedule of ‘fares and charges’ in a way that is fair and equitable for all of its users. It is entirely a matter for the council to manage and deliver its own service as it sees fit and my Department has no role, nor remit, for the operation of the service or provision of a subsidy for it.
You will recall that the my Department provided once-off emergency financial support to Cork County Council last year during the extensive urgent maintenance works which continued earlier this year. This emergency assistance was provided specifically to fund a temporary ferry service to ensure mainland connectivity during the full period of the unavoidable closure of the service for essential repairs.
I am pleased that the support provided by my Department enabled the council to procure a ferry service and that the island was not left without mainland connectivity.
I am also pleased to note that the maintenance and repair programme for the Dursey cable car towers, and its supporting cables, has finally been completed and that cable car service is operational once again.
65. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department would consider banning dangerous dog breeds, such as the American Bully XL; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41374/23]
View answerNo breed of dog is currently banned in Ireland. However, the relevant legislation in this area, the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 2014, sets out a range of requirements for all dog owners or any other person in charge of a dog. Furthermore, the Control of Dogs Regulations 1998, S.I. 442/1998 set out additional requirements that owners of specific breeds of dogs, including strains or crosses of those breeds, must comply with. Such dogs must be muzzled and led, on a sufficiently strong leash or chain not exceeding 2 metres in length, by a competent person over 16 years of age, when in a public place.
Concerns have been raised regarding the overall approach to the regulation of restricted breeds. Some stakeholders assert that more breeds should be added to the list – especially given the newer breeds that have arrived in Ireland over the last number of years. Others believe that a different approach should be taken which would focus on the behavioural issues of individual dogs, rather than specific breeds, and that the approach should move away from muzzling.
My Department is committed to reviewing the current legislation on Dog Control and intends to engage fully with stakeholders throughout this process to consider the various issues arising in the months ahead.
66. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the measures being examined by her Department to address loneliness and social isolation in rural areas and communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41158/23]
View answerThe core mission of my Department is to support vibrant and sustainable communities across this country, and in doing so to deliver on a wide range of strategic interventions, funding programmes and policies to support urban and rural communities.
My Department is responsible for a number of national policies containing measures to improve the lives of people throughout the country, not least Our Rural Future, which places an emphasis on building resilience and enhancing participation and inclusion in rural communities including older people and those with disabilities.
Addressing the issues of loneliness and social isolation in communities has become more important than ever before. Many of my Department's policies and funding programmes aim to address these in communities, and also deliver benefits by responding to the challenges facing vulnerable individuals.
Funding is provided to tackle social isolation and support those in our communities in most need of assistance through schemes such as the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), the Community Services Programme, and the Seniors Alert Scheme, amongst others. SICAP is Ireland’s primary social inclusion funding intervention, delivered locally by Local Development Companies (LDCs) to help those in the greatest need access supports to enable participation in communities.
The Community Services Programme (CSP) currently supports over 420 community organisations to provide employment opportunities and local services through a social enterprise model. The CSP supports a range of services and activities that enhance the quality of life of people and those most vulnerable within our communities..
My 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 towards the purchase, by a registered community-based organisation, of a personal alarm or pendant.
The issue of social isolation is one which concerns us all and I am committed to continuing my Department’s response to this issue through continued delivery of relevant programmes and policies.
67. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development about the internships, apprenticeships and graduate schemes run by her Department; if any of these are focused in the green economy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41183/23]
View answerMy Department fully supports the roll out of the Public Service Apprenticeship Recruitment Plan and is currently examining what Apprenticeship schemes would be appropriate to take part in.
The Department of Rural and Community Development places a lot of importance on programmes which can provide pathways for people in marginalised groups to join the workforce. For example, two WAM (Willing Able Mentoring programme for people with disabilities) graduates have recently commenced placements in the Department. The Department is also engaging with colleagues in the Department of Justice in relation to the Traveller and Roma Internship Programme for the Civil Service.
These programmes do not have a specific focus on the green economy. However the Department established its Climate Unit in September 2021, bringing a renewed focus to climate action matters across the organisation, and enabling a strengthened contribution to cross-Government climate matters such as the green economy.
In addition, the Department actively participates on the Inter-Departmental Structures progressing the cross-Government Climate agenda, including the Climate Action Unit Network, the Climate Communications Coordination Committee and the Climate Communications Working Group.
68. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the strategies she will employ with respect to reducing the rate of commercial vacancies in Kilrush and Shannon towns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41415/23]
View answerThe Town Centre First 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.
While the Town Centre First policy approach is designed to contribute to the reduction of vacant and derelict properties by breathing new life into rural towns and villages, my Department is not directly responsible for dealing with the issue of commercial vacancy. However, my Department is actively supporting regeneration projects in County Clare though our many initiatives.
In December 2021, I announced €2.6m in funding for 26 towns for the development of Town Centre First (TCF) Plans to develop a vision for town centres and to identify potential future projects in the area. The Plans identify opportunities to tackle dereliction and vacancy, promote town centre living and strengthen the local economy. For example, Clare Local Authority was awarded funding to complete a TCF Plan for Sixmilebridge and this plan can be viewed on the local authority website.
Additionally, Town Regeneration Officers are being appointed across the 26 rural local authorities, including within Clare County Council, to drive the policy at local level. They will work closely with Vacant Homes Officers, building linkages with the Town Team and other stakeholders in order to tackle issues regarding rural regeneration, vacancy and dereliction.
Central to the Town Centre First approach is the range of support funding in place, including my Department’s Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, which both aim to prioritise addressing vacancy and dereliction throughout rural Ireland.
Under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme in Kilrush for example, my Department’s Building Acquisition Measure in 2022 supported the purchase of a derelict building with funding of €175,000 to transform it into an educational, training and research facility. I also supported the conversation of derelict building into a remote working hub with funding of €100,000 in 2017.
In Shannon, my Department supported delivery of an element of the Shannon Town Green Infrastructure plan with funding of €95,000 in 2016 and supported the renovation and extension of the Aviation Museum with funding of €160,000 in 2018.
Furthermore, the Ennistymon Multi-Service Innovation Centre project was allocated €1,023,300 RRDF funding to convert a vacant commercial building (SuperValu) in the centre of town into a multi-purpose centre that includes community rooms, office space, hot-desking facilities and a family resource centre.
My Department remains fully 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.
69. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department has any plans to run another scheme for refurbishment of community centres across the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41416/23]
View answerThis Government recognises the important role that community centres play in community life in Ireland, particularly in bringing people together and engaging with those who may be marginalised or disadvantaged.
With this in mind, my Department has put in place an integrated programme of supports for the establishment and development of community centres across schemes such as CLÁR, LEADER, the Community Support Fund, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, and of course the Community Centres Investment Fund which provides a specific funding line to support centres.
The focus of the 2022 Community Centres Investment Fund was the improvement and refurbishment of existing community centres across Ireland. Over €45.8 million has been committed to this important refurbishment work.
This year the focus of the Fund moved to new builds. I want to assist community groups striving to build their own community centre to service local needs. In March, I was delighted to announce a €20 million Fund to support communities with ‘shovel-ready’ projects on green or brownfield sites to build new community centres.
This Measure will target areas which do not have an appropriate facility to meet the needs of their area. The minimum grant funding available is €1 million with the maximum being €6 million. The deadline for receipt of applications was 3rd July.
These applications are currently being assessed by my Department and it is expected that successful projects will be announced in quarter one of 2024.
I am committed to ensuring that there is clear support in place for community centres across a range of schemes, and decisions in relation to any further iterations of the Community Centre Investment Fund will be taken in the context of the upcoming annual budgetary process.
70. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 309 of 23 February 2023, to provide an update on funding for a project (details supplied) under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41155/23]
View answerThe Rural Regeneration and Development Fund provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns and villages and rural areas across Ireland. To date, 215 projects have been approved for funding of €409 million for projects costing €560 million.
The Youghal Public Library project was awarded funding of €4,048,511 under the third Call for Category 1 proposals to the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund in 2021. The total cost of the project is €4,498,346. The amount of funding drawn down to date is €189,109 and further drawdowns are expected before the end of the year, with the bulk of the funding to be drawn down in 2024 and 2025.
The detailed design for the project is currently being developed and the final tender process is due to commence in the second quarter of 2024. The project is estimated to be completed in the second quarter of 2026.
