Written Answers Nos. 1457-1471
1457. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when she will complete her review of the CLÁR programme and extend the programme to additional areas in need of support. [47846/23]
View answerThe CLÁR Programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of depopulation over a defined period.
A review of CLÁR areas nationally was undertaken in 2021 using the 2016 Census of Population data. The review examined the most recent changes in population patterns throughout the country on the basis of 2016 Census data.
It also examined the approach to developing the existing CLÁR designations, which is based on 2002 data and it considered how changes in population since then impacted on designations.
Many areas will have seen population growth in the relevant period, and indeed the most recent census data published by the Central Statistics Office point to population growth across all counties since 2016.
The details of the review are being considered by my Department, taking into account the availability of more recent CSO data.
1458. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development what plans are in place for derelict building (details supplied); if he will outline the monies allocated to same; to provide a timeline for works; what stage the authority is at presently; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47932/23]
View answer1459. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development what plans are in place for derelict building (details supplied); if she will outline monies allocated to same and a timeline for works; what stage they are presently at; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47933/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1458 and 1459 together.
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) 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 €410 million for projects costing €561 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 Castleblayney Market Square Regeneration project was awarded funding of €3.5 million from the second call for Category 1 projects to the RRDF in 2019. The project includes the refurbishment and extension of the Hope Castle Gate Lodge in the centre of the town to provide a modern public library, gallery space and cultural and creative space. I am happy to confirm that I will be officially opening the completed project later this week.
The Castleblayney Market Square Regeneration Phase 2 project was awarded funding of €295,000 from the second call for Category 2 applications to the RRDF in 2020. This project will develop plans for the refurbishment of the Market House building for use as a multi-purpose community facility, as well as public realm works of the Market Square. Part 8 planning approval was granted in November 2022 and it is expected that the detailed designs for the project will be finalised by the end of 2023.
1460. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department engages a company (details supplied); if so, the duration and nature of the work; the cost of same to the Exchequer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48018/23]
View answerI can confirm that my Department has not engaged the company referred to by the deputy.
1461. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of complaints she has filed to the Corporate Enforcement Agency (CEA) since the establishment of the CEA and or An Garda Síochána in the past ten years to date in respect of grants and or funds her Department provided that in her view were misappropriated. [48074/23]
View answerSince my Department was established in 2017 no cases have been filed by my Department with the Corporate Enforcement Authority (CEA).
An issue with one funded project has been raised with the Gardaí for their attention. Whether or not there has been a misappropriation of public funds is a matter for the investigation. The funding in question has been returned to my Department and the case remains open.
1462. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number and details of contracts currently held by her Government Department with a company (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48309/23]
View answerI can confirm that my Department does not have any existing contracts with the company referred to by the Deputy.
1463. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there is any prohibition on the end of use of rubber materials in astro pitches for community groups (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48630/23]
View answerI understand that the Deputy's question relates to an application for LEADER funding and the regulation introduced by the European Commission in September 2023 to prohibit the sale of micro-plastics which includes the granular infill material used on artificial sport surfaces. The sales ban on such products will come into effect in 2031 following an eight year transitional period.
The 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.
As the LEADER programme is administered through Local Action Groups (LAGs) across rural Ireland prospective applicants for LEADER funding for a project should, in the first instance, contact their relevant LAG to discuss the eligibility of the project and the funding that may be available. LAGs that administer the programme on behalf of my Department are required, under the Operating Rules applicable to the LEADER Programme, to adhere to relevant EU and national regulatory requirements when approving funding for a project.
1464. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide a timeline for the finalisation of the development strategy for the public broadband connection points; when communities (details supplied) can expect to see the results of this strategy in terms of potential BCP expansion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48631/23]
View answer1465. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if, in light of the funds allocated for a remote working hub under the town-and-village renewal scheme in an area (details supplied), she will elaborate on how the BCP and the remote working hub can complement each other to maximise the benefits for the local community. [48632/23]
View answer1466. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development what specific criteria or requirements need to be met by additional premises to be considered for inclusion in the public BCP network; what role Mayo County Council plays in facilitating this process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48633/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1464, 1465 and 1466 together.
One of the key focuses of Our Rural Future, the Government's Rural Development Policy 2021 - 2025, is optimising digital connectivity to support vibrant, sustainable rural communities. I want to close the digital divide between rural and urban communities and ensure that those living in rural communities are provided with the same opportunities as those in larger urban areas. I am working to achieve this ambition by providing significant funding and support through my Department.
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 were developed in collaboration with local authorities and communities with vacant and derelict buildings in rural towns and villages converted into remote working hubs.
In 2021 I launched connectedhubs.ie, a shared online booking and payments platform for member hubs and their users. The network includes a diverse range of hubs, services and facilities, thus facilitating individual remote workers and companies of different sizes. There are currently 330 remote and co-working facilities across the country on-boarded to the platform. An interactive map is available on connectedhubs.ie that shows the location and details of each remote working hub on the network.
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are public locations which have been selected to receive high-speed connectivity as part of the National Broadband Plan. The locations of the BCPs have been selected by local authorities and include public areas such as community halls, libraries, sports facilities, enterprise hubs, tourist locations and other public spaces, such as community centres and sports clubs. They are located in rural and isolated areas including on a number of off-shore islands and support remote working, digital skills training and a range of community initiatives. Local authorities were involved in the identification and selection of these sites which closed at the end of 2020 resulting in 284 public sites identified for a broadband connection in the intervention area of the National Broadband Plan. In addition, 16 further sites adjacent to and serving the wide intervention area were identified specifically for remote working. 294 BCPs have been connected and are now in operation with remaining sites to be connected by the end of 2023.
As the selection process for new BCPs is now closed, additional sites cannot be connected. However, if a site withdraws from the BCP programme, the local authority can choose to move the equipment to a replacement site. The Partry Community Centre in Co Mayo is one of these replacement sites and is in the process of becoming a remote working BCP which will give them access to programmes run for BCPs as well as the opportunity to join the Connected Hub network.
The development strategy for BCPs is ongoing and will be finalised in the New Year. The strategy will consider the scaling up of successful pilot projects, including eHealth, remote working, arts and culture and digital skills programmes. My Department is also currently leading on the formulation of a National Hub Strategy to chart the future strategic direction of the hubs sector, which the BCP network is a part of. Key to this approach is close consultation with stakeholders and our partners across government.
I am committed to ensuring that the National Hub Network and the Broadband Connection Points will continue to make a central contribution to the achievement of the Government's vision for rural Ireland, as set out in Our Rural Future.
1467. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number and details of contracts currently held by her Department with a company (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48663/23]
View answerI can confirm that my Department does not have any existing contracts with the company referred to by the deputy.
1468. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number and details of contracts currently held by her Department with a company (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48695/23]
View answerI can confirm that my Department does not have any existing contracts with the company referred to by the deputy.
1469. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number and details of contracts currently held by her Department with a company (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48711/23]
View answerI can confirm that my Department does not have any existing contracts with the company referred to by the deputy.
1470. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the percentage of her 2023 capital budget allocation that has been spent in the first nine months of the year. [48760/23]
View answerThe Department’s gross capital budget for 2023 is €231 million, with an additional €14.5 million available from capital carried forward from 2022, giving a total available capital budget of €245.5 million.
The capital carry forward from 2022, of €14.5 million, has been fully utilised. In addition, to end September, there was gross capital expenditure of €94.8m, or 35% of the €231m. To end October, this has risen to €114.7m or 43% of the €231m.
It should be noted that the nature of the Department’s capital programmes means capital expenditure is strongest in the last few months of the year, as local authorities and other delivery partners submit claims for work that have been completed throughout the year.
Departmental expenditure is being closely managed, and full use of our capital funding is expected by year end, although similar to previous years, the Department will consider whether it is prudent to carry forward any unspent capital funding from 2023, for use in 2024.
1471. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development what action her Department is taking to promote gender diversity in rural development programs, particularly in the context of agriculture-related programs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48838/23]
View answerMy Department's stated mission is to promote rural and community development and to support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland. The reference to 'inclusive' encapsulates gender inclusivity and this is reflected in a number of important ways across rural development initiatives implemented by my Department.
Firstly, in relation to rural development policy, Our Rural Future is the whole-of-government for rural Ireland. The policy explicitly recognises the importance of the diversity of rural communities and the need to ensure that such communities are supported to ensure that the needs and wellbeing of everyone are catered for in an inclusive way. The policy also clearly highlights the importance of gender equality in the agriculture sector, as referenced by the Deputy. Similarly, the National Outdoors Recreation Strategy, Embracing Ireland's Outdoors, sets out inclusion and ensuring participation opportunities are available for everyone as a key value underpinning the strategy.
My Department has also worked in collaboration with the National Women's Council to support the delivery of their conference on "Claiming our Space: Women in Rural Ireland leading Change" in October 2022. The conference provided an important forum which included a focus of the recognition of women in rural development policies, strategies and investment and I was delighted to address the conference on the day.
The importance of gender diversity is also reflected within elements of my Department's Rural Development Investment Programme. For example, preparations are now well advanced for the implementation of the new LEADER programme which is a key intervention linked to Our Rural Future and delivered under the auspices of Ireland's new CAP Strategic Plan. A key element of the LEADER programme is the bottom up nature of project development and selection, with investment decisions being implemented at local level by Local Action Groups (LAG). Given the important role of these LAGs, they are required to be broadly representative, and the guidance provided by my Department sets out that each LAG should aim to achieve gender balance in its composition.
In relation to agriculture related programmes specifically, I am aware that my colleague the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine has implemented a number of important initiatives in this regard. For example, Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan includes a number of targeted interventions such as increased grant rates under the Capital Investment Scheme TAMS to fund investments by trained women farmers, the promotion of women only Knowledge Transfer Groups, and the potential under the European Innovation Partnership model to develop initiatives that will promote women's participation in farming. The importance of gender equality in agriculture is also well recognised within Food Vision 2030, and in initiatives such as the ACORNS programme which supports rural female entrepreneurs.
