Written Answers Nos. 71-92
71. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will report on the work being done by the stakeholders' group on control of dogs issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41341/23]
View answerDuring 2022, a number of serious dog attacks on people and livestock occurred, causing significant public concern in relation to the issue of dog control. Minister McConalogue and I requested our officials to convene a working group on control of dogs issues. The group published a report containing a number of recommendations in March of this year.
Recommendation 14 of the working group report proposes the establishment of a stakeholders group on control of dogs issues. This group will be convened by my Department, with representation from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and will provide a forum for stakeholder organisations to express their views on issues and possible solutions related to dog control issues.
The draft terms of reference and a list of potential stakeholders is currently under consideration and I hope to provide further information in the coming weeks.
My officials will continue to work closely with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to co-ordinate efforts in the area of dog control and related issues across government, and I look forward to engaging with stakeholders as we progress this important work.
72. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development about initiatives in County Meath as part of her Departments strategy 2023-2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41182/23]
View answerMy Department's Statement of Strategy for the period 2023 - 2025 guides the work that my officials do to support vibrant and sustainable communities across the State. The Strategy makes it clear that the citizen is at the heart of everything the Department does and sets out a number of high-level actions that the Department will take to ensure our communities, rural or urban, continue to thrive. The Strategy is a high level document which guides delivery at a national level, rather than providing county specific funding initiatives.
My Department provides targeted investment and supports, which enable rural regeneration, facilitates new working opportunities and fosters regional enterprise growth. This is done through extensive collaboration and engagement with communities and wider stakeholders.
My Department will continue to invest in and support communities across the country through a wide range of schemes such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, LEADER Programme, Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme, Town and Village Renewal Scheme, Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, Local Improvement Scheme, CLÁR Programme, Islands Capital Programme, Community Enhancement Programme, the Community Centre Investment Fund, Connected Hubs initiative, Libraries Investment Capital funding, PEACE IV Programme and the PEACE PLUS Programme.
All funding schemes operated by my Department are open to applications from eligible groups during the application timeframes set for each scheme or programme. Further information on all schemes and programmes, including details of successful applications can be found on my Department's website www.drcd.gov.ie
With regard to funding in Meath, a range of capital projects have been approved for funding across my Department's schemes. For example, under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, €4.46 million in funding is being provided for Trim Library and Cultural Centre; €452,000 for Kells Heritage Development project, and; €727,000 for Enfield Community and Enterprise Hub. Other examples include funding under the Community Centre Investment Fund for centres in areas such as Oldcastle (€300,000), Slane (€213,000), and Dunboyne (€97,000).
The Departments schemes are designed to ensure that all rural areas and communities can develop projects that will benefit their areas, and our sustained funding will ensure that such projects continue to be supported.
73. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail cad é líon na n-iarratas a fuarthas faoin nglaoch do thograí nua faoin gClár CSP; cén uair a dhéanfar cinneadh cé acu tograí a thiocfaidh ar aghaidh; cad é an líon tograí atá i gceist a cheadú; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [41289/23]
View answerTacaíonn Clár um Sheirbhísí don Phobal (CSP) mo Roinne le breis agus 420 eagraíocht phobalbhunaithe, chun seirbhísí áitiúla a sholáthar trí mhúnla fiontair shóisialta. Soláthraíonn CSP ranníocaíocht chómhaoinithe bhliantúil i dtreo gach post coibhéis lánaimseartha (CL) a fhaigheann tacaíocht, agus, nuair is gá, i dtreo an chostais a bhaineann le bainisteoir a fhostú.
Seoladh glaoch nua ar iarratais faoin CSP ar 6 Márta seo caite le buiséad de €1 milliún. Tugadh cuireadh do gach eagraíocht leasmhar nóta coincheapa a chur isteach mar an chéad chéim sa phróiseas iarratais. D’óstáil mo Roinn agus Pobal, a riarann an scéim thar ceann mo Roinne, roinnt ceardlann fhaisnéise chun tacú le hiarratasóirí féideartha.
Fuarthas 197 Nóta Coincheapa san iomlán faoi Chéim 1 den ghlaoch CSP nua, a bhí an-iomaíoch. Tá Céim 1 críochnaithe anois agus tá Céim 2 ar siúl faoi láthair. Tugadh cuireadh do 33 iarratasóir ar éirigh leo i gCéim 1 iarratas iomlán a chur isteach lena bhreithniú roimh an spriocdháta 22ú Meán Fómhair 2023.
Táthar ag súil go gcuirfear an toradh in iúl do gach iarratasóir Céim 2 a chuireann iarratas isteach i mí na Samhna agus is é 10-12 líon na dtograí a cheadófar ar dtús, ag brath ar an leibhéal maoinithe a theastaíonn ó na hiarratasóirí rathúla.
74. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 103 of 13 June 2023, the status of the monitoring committee for the implementation of the new policy for the islands; the membership of the committee; the terms of reference of the committee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41372/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, Our Living Islands: the National Island Policy 2023-2033 was launched in June of this year. Our Living Islands is a substantial document – a ten year policy which will be backed up by rolling three year action plans. It has time-bound commitments so that Departments and agencies across Government can be held to account.
Monitoring implementation of the policy on behalf of the Government will be coordinated by the Islands Unit in my Department. In that context, a Monitoring Committee will be established to which representatives of island communities and other relevant stakeholders will be appointed.
I hope to be in a position to confirm the terms of reference and membership of this committee shortly. It is intended to have the first meeting of the committee, chaired by my Department, in October.
76. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development for an update on the roll-out of remote working hubs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41418/23]
View answerOur Rural Future, Ireland’s Rural Development Policy, 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. The connected hubs platform was launched in 2021 and there are now 324 hubs on-boarded to the connectedhubs.ie with this number growing all the time.
Over €150m has been invested by my department in the development of remote working facilities through programmes such as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, and the Connected Hubs Call. 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.
To date my focus has been on establishing the Connected Hub Network and on achieving the initial critical mass. Following strong progress on the establishment phase of the project, my focus has, for some time, shifted to the next stage of development. To this end my Department is currently leading on the formulation of a National Hub Strategy to chart the future strategic direction of the hub sector.
I am committed to ensuring that these vital investments in Ireland's hub infrastructure can continue to underpin delivery of the objectives of Our Rural Future.
78. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the support her Department is providing for the proposed Water Hub in Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41336/23]
View answerThe Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) is funded by my Department under Our Rural Future. The Scheme provides funding for the development and enhancement of outdoor recreational infrastructure such as walking trails, cycleways, blue ways and bridleways throughout rural Ireland. Since the launch of the scheme in 2016, funding in excess of €106 million has supported more than 1,500 projects across the country.
Measures 2 and 3 of the 2023 ORIS aim to provide funding for the development of medium and large scale recreational infrastructure. The deadline for applications under Measure 2 and 3 is October 27th , 2023. No application for the proposed water activity hub has been received to date under ORIS.
I understand, however, that it is the intention of Carlow local authority to apply for Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Funding for the proposed water activity hub in Carlow Town Park once the programme is opened for applications. This scheme falls under the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
79. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when new projects will be approved this year under the Community Centre Investment Fund 2023 (New Build) scheme; when the next call will be made under this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41290/23]
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, I have 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 new Community Centres Investment Fund.
The response to last year’s Fund was phenomenal. Over €45.8 million was allocated to refurbish over 860 community centres across the country making them safer, more accessible and more enjoyable places for families and communities.
My aim under the 2023 round of funding is to support communities with shovel-ready plans to build new community centres. I was delighted to announce a €20 million fund to support this initiative.
Following the July 3rd deadline for applications, I can confirm that 22 applications have been submitted in relation to The Community Centre Investment Fund 2023 (New Build). 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 the range of schemes referenced above, 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.
80. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she continues to assess the rural and community needs in both urban and rural settings with a view to addressing the obvious requirements at the present time; if she continues to liaise with people in such setting with a view to address their concerns on an ongoing basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41343/23]
View answerMy Department continues to liaise with stakeholders in communities around the country including the Local Authorities, Local Community Development Committees, Public Participation Networks and Local Development Companies to ensure that supports provided are timely and appropriate to the needs of those communities.
While the schemes administered by my Department have a consistent, ongoing focus, they are regularly adapted and supplemented in response to emerging needs identified through the aforementioned stakeholder engagement. Such examples are the Community Call Initiative, the COVID-19 Stability Scheme, the Accelerated Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme and the Community Recognition Fund.
In February of this year, my Department published the a new resource guide, A Guide for Inclusive Community Engagement in Local Planning and Decision Making. This guide is intended to ensure that members of marginalised communities have opportunities to participate in local planning and decision making.
My Department will continue to monitor issues that arise in communities and tailor our approach to the emerging issues.
81. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the roll-out of the towns First policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41411/23]
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.
My Department co-chairs the National Oversight and Advisory Group for the policy with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This Group oversees the delivery of the policy and ensures there is clear stakeholder visibility in relation to implementation. The Group met in December 2022, and in April 2023 and will meet again this month.
The establishment of the Town Centre First National Office is key to the success of the policy. It supports Town Regeneration Officers, funded by DRCD in all relevant local authorities, in driving implementation at a local level, and it coordinates stakeholder engagement. My officials collaborate closely with the National Office.
My Department is also supporting the development of Town Centre First Plans which will help rural towns identify viable projects in their area. Seven of these plans have been completed to date, with the further nineteen to be completed by the 17th November 2023.
Central to the Town Centre First approach is the range of support funding in place, including my Department’s Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, which both aim to prioritise addressing vacancy and dereliction throughout rural Ireland.
In November 2022, I announced funding of €115m for regeneration projects across rural towns under my Department's Rural Regeneration and Development Fund for 2023. These projects include a focus on combating vacancy and dereliction by regenerating iconic town centre buildings such as old hotels, banks, schools, and courthouses.
In March 2023, I launched the 2023 Building Acquisition Measure, which will allow local authorities across the country to purchase up to three buildings up to a total grant value of €500,000. Local authorities have now been informed of the successful applications under this measures and I expect to announce details of these purchased properties shortly.
Similarly, in July 2023 I announced funding of €15 million for this year’s Town and Village Renewal Scheme. This year's Scheme is designed to support the revitalisation of rural Ireland and support activities such as projects focusing on town centre regeneration, enhancing our streetscapes and bringing vacant and derelict buildings back into use as community multi-purpose spaces through refurbishment and renovation. The deadline for local authorities to apply to this scheme is the 10th November 2023.
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.
82. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development for an update on the delivery of the 2023-2027 LEADER programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41169/23]
View answerThe LEADER Programme is a key intervention of Our Rural Future, the Government’s Policy for rural development which aims to deliver a range of actions to rural communities over the lifetime of the policy. It supports a broad range of activities which aim to respond to the diversity of the local needs of our rural areas.
€250 million has been made available for the LEADER programme for the period 2021 to 2027. This is comprised of €70 million for the transitional period 2021 to 2022 and an additional €180 million from 2023 to 2027, thus maintaining the level of funding provided for the 2014-2020 programming period.
The process to select the Local Action Groups (LAGs) to deliver the 2023-2027 LEADER Programme in each area is ongoing at present and the Local Development Strategies which were submitted by the applicant LAGs in July are currently being assessed.
I recently announced the approval of the first two LAGs to deliver the 2023-2027 LEADER programme which are in counties Carlow and Tipperary. My Department’s focus now is to complete the selection of the remaining LAGs to ensure a timely and smooth transition from the 2014-2020 programme.
84. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there has been progress in relation to the multi-annual funding of community projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41241/23]
View answerIn August 2019, the Department of Rural and Community Development launched Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities: a five-year strategy to support the community and voluntary sector in Ireland. The Strategy sets a general direction of travel for government policy in relation to community development, local development and the community and voluntary sectors for the coming decade. The high-level objectives and actions support consultation, inclusion and participation of communities, particularly disadvantaged communities, in public policy and decision-making at all levels. The strategy was co-produced by Government and representatives from the community development, local development and community and voluntary sectors. This was facilitated through a cross sectoral group that oversaw the strategy design process and continues to oversee its implementation. Work is currently in progress across all objectives within the strategy.
Some progress has been made by my department under Action 4.1 in the area of sustainable funding models for the sector through, for example, the redesign of the Community Services Programme (CSP), including a differentiated funding model targeted at meeting assessed funding needs. This followed a series of engagements with a broadly representative consultative group. CSP organisations have now been re-contracted under the redesigned programme for a period of up to five years.
The new iteration of the Support Scheme for National Organisations (SSNO) commenced in July 2022, with the aim of providing multi-annual funding towards the core costs of national organisations in the community and voluntary sector, to assist them to operate and fund core staff positions. This new Scheme builds on the developments of the 2019-2022 programme, to help strengthen and consolidate the administrative and operational capabilities of recipient organisations, which is integral to the provision of essential services on the ground.
Under Action 4.3 of the strategy, work is underway in mapping the national practice on commissioning with a view to reviewing the current practice and developing a new model, incorporating a set of principles and best practices reflecting a collaborative, partnership and whole-of-government ethos and prioritising societal value and community need. Information on contracting arrangements (including the provision of multi-annual funding) will be gathered in the context of the mapping exercise which will assist in the further implementation of Action 4.1 over the coming years.
85. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will advise the recent engagement her Department had with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on remote working to support rural workers and communities, in view of the recent passing of legislation that will provide the legal right to request remote working; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41413/23]
View answerThe right to request remote working has been integrated into the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023, which is led by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth, and was enacted on the 4th of April 2023. All employees will have a right to request remote working under the Act.
This important legislation is one of a number of steps taken by this Government to support and empower remote workers.
Remote workers support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable rural communities. Accordingly, under Our Rural Future, my Department has invested in co-working hubs across the country and is leading the development of the National Hub Network and its online platform connectedhubs.ie.
The National Hub Network interdepartmental group, chaired by the Secretary General of my Department, was established in 2020 and arose from intensive engagement between my department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on the subject of remote working at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Made up of a number of government departments and public bodies, this group is focused on ensuring the critical infrastructure needed to support remote workers, professional and accessible distributed work places, are available across the country.
On foot of that group’s co-operation, a nationwide network of 324 hubs is now established, with at least 400 expected by 2025. In addition, officials at my department and at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment are currently leading on the development of a National Hub Strategy that will examine the potential of Ireland’s hubs to do more to support enterprise, employment and community activities.
I and my colleagues in Government remain committed to ensuring that remote working will continue to deliver real benefits for people all across the country, as envisaged in Our Rural Future.
86. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the key capital investments being made by her Department in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41335/23]
View answerThe Department's capital budget for 2023 amounts to €231 million, of which €167 million relates to the Rural Development Programme and €64 million relates to the Community Development Programme.
Capital funding is particularly important for the rural development programme area. Our Rural Future is the whole-of-government policy for rural Ireland for the period 2021-2025. It adopts a more strategic, ambitious and holistic approach to investing in and maximising opportunities for rural areas, with capital schemes forming an important element of that support.
Capital investment across both the rural and community development areas include –
• €180 million for LEADER for the period 2023 to 2027. LEADER, is a rural development programme co-funded by the EU that supports communities and enterprises in progressing job creation, social inclusion and environmental projects at local level. The 2023 allocation for this programme amounts to €46 million.
• For 2023 a total of €93 million has been made available for the Rural Regeneration and Development area, which includes the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, and the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.
• €30 million has been provided in 2023 for the €50 million Community Recognition Fund (CRF). 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 remaining €20 million will be made available in 2024.
• The Local Improvement Scheme had an initial allocation of €12 million, with a further €16 million in funding recently announced. This will support the continued improvement of non-public roads and lanes that are not normally maintained by local authorities.
• There will also be over €20 million in funding for the Community Centre Investment Fund in 2023, building on similar investment in 2022.
Further details of funding amounts under the all schemes administered by my Department are available on my Department's website www.drcd.gov.ie ., and the Revised Estimate for my Department provides the specific allocations for each area in 2023. Future announcements on capital investments will also be published on this website.
87. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 2101 of 11 September 2023, the details of the State-funded bodies in respect of whom applications for the 2023 community centres investment fund were received by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41373/23]
View answerThis Government recognises the important role that community centres play in community life in Ireland, bringing people together and engaging with those who may be marginalised or disadvantaged.
With this in mind, I have 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 new Community Centres Investment Fund.
The 2022 Community Centres Investment Fund was warmly welcomed the length and breadth of the country. Over €45.8 million has been committed to the improvement and refurbishment of existing community centres across Ireland.
Following on from this, I wanted to assist community groups striving to build their own community centre to service local needs, so this year the focus of the Community Centres Investment has moved to new builds.
In March, I announced 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 deadline for receipt of applications was 3rd July.
I am happy to confirm that 22 applications were received to my Department and a list of all the State Funded Bodies that have acted as lead parties to the applications are below. Applications are currently being assessed by my Department and it is expected that successful projects will be announced in quarter one 2024.
Lead Party/State Funded Bodies
Carlow County Council
IRD Duhallow
Cork City Council
Fingal County Council
Galway City Council
Údarás an Gaeltachta
Galway County Council
Kerry County Council
Kildare County Council
Mayo North East Partnership
Meath County Council
Monaghan County Council
Offaly County Council
Sligo County Council
Waterford City & County Council
Wexford County Council
Wicklow County Council
88. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the steps being taken to deal with the retention of staff in community development projects in view of the fact that large numbers of staff are leaving to take up employment in statutory organisations; if there is a plan to introduce pay parity to encourage more people to join the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41242/23]
View answerThe Government's five-year strategy to support the community and voluntary sector, Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities, was published in 2019. This is a whole of government strategy led by my Department, which is implemented collaboratively with the sector through the Cross Sector Group on Local and Community Development.
This Strategy plays an important role in seeking to strengthen the community development, local development and community and voluntary sectors generally. It reaffirms the Government’s commitment to supporting the sector, whilst also recognising the reality of finite resources and the need to ensure that available resources are focused on providing effective services.
The strategy includes a commitment to develop a sustainable funding model to support the community and voluntary sector. Specific actions included in this strategy are the promotion of multi-annual funding approaches by Government departments and Agencies, appropriate cost recovery models to cover the costs of compliance, support for autonomous community and local development organisations and sustainable funding models to support community and social enterprises.
My Department is aware of the challenges facing organisations in the Local and Community Development sectors around the recruitment and retention of staff. Community and voluntary organisations are funded by a wide range of Government Departments and agencies through different funding schemes and programmes.
While my Department provides funding to some community and voluntary organisations, there is no national pay agreement for the Community and Voluntary sector as a whole. The Department of Rural and Community Development does not have a mandate to set pay rates for what is a wide array of diverse and independent organisations, most of which get funding directly from other government Departments.
89. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the support her Department is providing for the Tullow Road Community Hub in Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41337/23]
View answerThe 2022 Community Centres Investment Fund was warmly welcomed the length and breadth of the country. Over €45.8 million has been committed to the improvement and refurbishment of existing community centres across Ireland through this fund.
Following on from this, I wanted to assist community groups striving to build their own community centre to service local needs, so this year the focus of the Community Centres Investment Fund has moved to new builds.
In March, I announced 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 deadline for receipt of applications was 3rd July and the assessment process has now commenced.
I can confirm that Carlow County Council has submitted an application in relation to the Tullow Road Development, with €4,135,178 being sought from the fund. This application is currently being assessed by my Department and it is expected that successful projects will be announced in quarter one 2024.
90. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to consider establishing a dedicated grant scheme for the maintenance and upgrading of community playgrounds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41419/23]
View answerMy Department recognises the importance of playgrounds in communities throughout Ireland and, as such, applications for the delivery and upgrade of playgrounds are welcome under a number of schemes operated by my Department. In addition, I am aware that my Department indirectly supports the maintenance and upgrading of many playgrounds, parks and other public amenities through the assistance we provide to local community groups.
The 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, including investment in playgrounds. Measure 1 of the 2023 CLÁR programme focuses on developing community facilities and amenities, with applications currently being assessed. The Departments Town and Village Renewal Scheme also provides funding avenues, with playground facilities often forming part of wider amenity projects put forward for funding.
Support under the LEADER programme is provided under a broad range of themes, including the Social Inclusion Theme in the current LEADER programme or the Rural Infrastructure & Social Inclusion theme in the 2023-2027 programme. Funding for playgrounds may be available under these themes. In order for a project to be eligible for LEADER funding, it must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved Local Development Strategy in the sub-regional area concerned, and it must comply with the Operating Rules and EU Regulations in place for the programme. Prospective applicants should, in the first instance, contact their relevant LAG, through its Implementing Partner, to discuss the eligibility of the project and the funding that may be available. The list of all Local Action Groups, their Implementing Partners and their contact details, is available on my Department’s website.
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.
91. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 107 of 13 June 2023, for a status update on the transfer to her Department of land on Inisbofin on which the airstrip is situated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41370/23]
View answerGalway County Council advised my Department last week that the disposal of these lands to my Department was recently approved at the council’s plenary meeting.
The local authority also advised that the matter is currently with Council's in-house solicitors in order to move forward with the transfer of title, with the matter being progressed this month.
My Department will continue to pursue this matter with Galway County Council.
92. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will outline the engagement her Department has had with other Departments, agencies and local authorities in relation to delivering schemes to facilitate capital projects such as sports and community facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41340/23]
View answerMy Department takes a whole-of-government approach to the development and delivery of our own policy remit and also in supporting the work of other organisations. This is a key element not just of national policies but also in the achievement of sectoral strategies, for example the rural development policy, Our Rural Future, and our Community Development policy Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities, a five-year strategy to support the community and voluntary sector.
The work of my Department is underpinned by broad consultation with a wide range of stakeholders including Government Departments, Local Authorities and State Agencies. This includes regular engagement with Local Authorities through their representation on the Cross-Sectoral Group on Local and Community Development, who oversee implementation of Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities. This engagement process provides important insights into issues impacting on rural and urban communities.
My Department also has statutory responsibility for the local and community development governance structures introduced on foot of the local government reform process, namely the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), the Public Participation Networks (PPNs) and Local Economic and Community Plans (LECPs). As a result, my Department has ongoing interaction with all of these stakeholders to support their work and the work of Local Authorities in the context of community development and social inclusion.
The funding schemes operated by my Department that support capital projects, including community facilities, are informed by this engagement across Government and with community groups. Schemes such as LEADER, CLÁR, and Town and Village Renewal have provided very significant funding in recent years, and more recently the Community Centre Investment Fund has very much been informed by local needs.
In addition, many Government Departments and state agencies are delivering a range of capital projects and schemes under Our Rural Future. My officials engage regularly with these Departments and agencies to monitor and report progress. A particular example would be the recent publication of the National Outdoor Recreation Strategy, which demonstrates our whole of Government approach to areas which many Departments work on given the multiple benefits of such investment. My Department will continue to collaborate with stakeholders including Government Departments, Local Authorities and state agencies to identify and address issues which impact our urban and rural communities.
