Written Answers Nos. 1-24
2. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of properties acquired by local authorities under our rural future in 2022 and to date in 2023 by each local authority; the type of property acquired (house, former retail or commercial building etc); and the amount spent by each local authority, in tabular form. [50001/23]
View answerSince the launch of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme in 2016, over €156 million has been allocated to more than 1,700 projects across Ireland. In an effort to revitalise town centres in 2022, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme prioritised projects that would bring vacant and derelict buildings back into use and promote residential occupancy in town centres.
The 2023 Scheme places particular emphasis on projects that bring economic and social vibrancy to town centres in line with Town Centre First, Ireland's policy for the revitalisation of rural towns.
Under the 2022 Scheme I introduced a new Building Acquisition Measure (BAM) which resulted in an investment of over €6 million for the purchase of 29 vacant or derelict properties including former banks, courthouses and Garda stations.
Building on the success of the 2022 BAM, in March of this year I announced a further €13 million fund for this Measure again in 2023.
We are acutely aware of the housing challenges in this country at present, so any proposed vacant and derelict properties that appeared to be residential underwent additional due diligence in advance of approval to purchase to ensure that none of the properties were suitable for a return to the residential housing market.
The BAM is helping Local Authorities to acquire vacant or derelict buildings which, once renovated, will provide local people with a new space to meet, socialise and work, breathing new life into the heart of their community.
A table with details of properties purchased in 2022 is attached to this answer for the Deputy's information. Purchases under the 2023 Measure are ongoing and due to the commercially-sensitive nature of these ongoing acquisitions, details of these properties will be provided once this process is completed. I expect to be able to announce details of the 2023 purchases in the coming weeks.
|
Properties Purchased under BAM 2022 |
|||
|
Local Authority |
Town |
Building |
Total Spend € |
|
Carlow |
Bagenalstown |
Former convent |
|
|
CARLOW |
|
|
€400,000 |
|
Cavan |
Cootehill |
Former Bank of Ireland building |
|
|
Cavan |
Market House, Ballinagh |
Former B+F Stores and Market House |
|
|
CAVAN |
|
|
€400,000 |
|
Clare |
Kilrush |
Former Mars Cinema and Ballroom |
|
|
CLARE |
|
|
€175,000 |
|
Cork |
Mitchelstown |
FCA Hall on grounds of old Military Barracks |
|
|
CORK |
|
|
€90,000 |
|
Galway |
Athenry |
Former commercial property |
|
|
GALWAY |
|
|
€312,125 |
|
Kerry |
Moyvane |
Former Garda Station |
|
|
KERRY |
|
|
€65,000 |
|
Kildare |
Monasterevin |
Former Bank of Ireland building |
|
|
KILDARE |
|
|
€248,000 |
|
Kilkenny |
Glenmore |
Property with adjoining commercial premises |
|
|
KILKENNY |
|
|
€146,000 |
|
Leitrim |
Carrick on Shannon |
Former bakery and shop |
|
|
LEITRIM |
|
|
€270,000 |
|
Limerick |
Feohanagh |
Parochial Hall |
|
|
Limerick |
Rathkeale |
Former Bank of Ireland building |
|
|
LIMERICK |
|
|
€400,000 |
|
Longford |
Edgeworthstown |
Former Public House |
|
|
LONGFORD |
|
|
€115,000 |
|
Louth |
Dunleer |
Former Bank of Ireland building |
|
|
LOUTH |
|
|
€300,000 |
|
Local Authority |
Town |
Building |
Total Spend € |
|
Meath |
Ratoath |
Site in centre of Ratoath |
|
|
MEATH |
|
|
€400,000 |
|
Monaghan |
Monaghan Town |
Convent school building |
|
|
MONAGHAN |
|
|
€280,000 |
|
Offaly |
Ballyboy |
Former Community Hall |
|
|
Offaly |
Moneygall |
Commercial property with garage |
|
|
OFFALY |
|
|
€225,000 |
|
Roscommon |
Tarmonbarry |
Former Garda Station |
|
|
Roscommon |
Ballintubber |
Former Garda Station |
|
|
ROSCOMMON |
|
|
€290,000 |
|
Sligo |
Enniscrone |
Factory |
|
|
Sligo |
Ballymote |
Shop |
|
|
SLIGO |
|
|
€400,000 |
|
Tipperary |
Carrick on Suir |
Garden Centre |
|
|
TIPPERARY |
|
|
€400,000 |
|
Waterford |
Portlaw |
Premier Hall |
|
|
Waterford |
Lismore |
Former Bank of Ireland building |
|
|
WATERFORD |
|
|
€400,000 |
|
Wexford |
New Ross |
Former Courthouse |
|
|
Wexford |
Rosslare Harbour |
Former Bank of Ireland building |
|
|
WEXFORD |
|
|
€350,000 |
|
Wicklow |
Ashford |
Former Garda Station |
|
|
Wicklow |
Carnew |
Former Bank of Ireland building |
|
|
WICKLOW |
|
|
€400,000 |
|
TOTAL |
€6,066,125 |
||
4. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there will be a round of community halls funding; when this will be; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50006/23]
View answerThis Government recognises the important role that community centres play in community life in Ireland, particularly in bringing people together.
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 new Community Centres Investment Fund.
The focus of the 2022 Community Centres Investment Fund was improving existing community centres across Ireland. Over €45.8 million has been committed to this refurbishment work.
This funding was very warmly received by communities all over Ireland. At the same time, the scheme also brought to light that there were a number of community groups striving to build their own new community centre, and that there is a need for new facilities in some areas. In response to this need, I announced a €20 million Fund in March this year to support communities with ‘shovel-ready’ projects to build new community centres.
The minimum grant funding available is €1 million with the maximum being €6 million. The deadline for receipt of applications was 3rd July. Applications are currently being assessed by my Department and I expect to announce the successful projects in quarter one 2024.
I want to finalise this current round of funding and announce the successful projects before deciding on the next steps forward. My Department will be assessing the outcomes from the first two rounds of the Community Centre Investment Fund, and reviewing the focus of our other related schemes, to ensure that our overall package of integrated supports for community facilities is meeting the needs of our communities.
8. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the measures being taken to tackle vacancy and dereliction in our towns and villages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49614/23]
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.
A key aim of both this policy and the Our Rural Future Policy is addressing vacancy and dereliction and ensuring that the policies and schemes in place directly address and tackle these issues in our rural towns and villages. This complements other national policies such as Housing for All and the National Planning Framework which also aim to tackling vacancy and support local communities.
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 Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
I announced the next RRDF Category 1 call for applications on Friday last, with a focus on revitalising our rural towns and villages through planned and sustainable regeneration that will drive greater economic activity and footfall, address vacancy and dereliction and ensure the re-use of heritage and other existing buildings.
Similarly, the 2023 Town and Village Renewal Scheme will attract applications will clearly address issues of vacancy and dereliction. This year's scheme close for applications last week and I look forward to seeing a range of high quality proposals emerging from the assessment process which is now underway.
I also expect to be in a position to announce details of allocations under this years Building Acquisition Measure shortly. This measure directly supports local authorities to purchase vacant and derelict building for future development for community purposes.
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.
13. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide an update on the Social Innovation Fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49609/23]
View answer639. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to report of the successes achieved through the Social Innovation Fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49994/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 639 together.
Rethink Ireland (previously Social Innovation Fund Ireland) is a charity created by the Government in 2013. Launched in 2016, Rethink is an organisation set up by the Government to stimulate philanthropy and aid the development of social innovation in Ireland. The organisation has done this by establishing a philanthropic fund of significant size and impact to aid the development of social innovation.
As a partnership between the private sector and Government, Rethink Ireland has been funded from the Dormant Accounts Fund through contractual funding arrangements since its creation in 2013. The business model which these arrangements support is for Government funding to match the philanthropic donations on a 50:50 co-funded basis i.e., every euro raised in philanthropic funding is matched by Government. However, this is subject to budget allocations as part of the estimates process.
The current five-year contract between Rethink Ireland and my Department runs from January 2021 to December 2025 and provides match funding to a maximum of €5.5m per annum. In 2022, my Department provided a total of €5.5m to Rethink from the Dormant Accounts Fund.
It should also be noted that, while my Department provides the majority of its match-funding, Rethink Ireland have also received funding from other Departments and my Department encourages these partnerships.
To date, with philanthropic and Government support, Rethink Ireland has created a €96 million Social Innovation Fund and created 54 individual funds across five key themes of Health, Education, Equality, Social Enterprise, and Climate. These funds have reached over 829,000 people and supported 2,700 people into employment. During 2022, Rethink supported 185 awardees with a total Fund value of €42.7 million.
The Social Innovation Fund assists innovative non-profit organisations working in communities across the country, to help innovations rise to the challenges of the most pressing issues across the five themes. Cash grants and business supports enable social innovations to develop and maximise their impact within their communities.
On a related note, my Department is currently developing a National Philanthropy Policy. The policy aims to set out specific actions to enable philanthropy to grow and thrive in Ireland for social good. Once finalised, it will identify the supports required for the sector to thrive and maximise its potential. One of the key objectives of the new strategy will be around strengthening Government and Sectoral partnerships.
14. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there will be another round of the Community Recognition Fund in 2024. [49717/23]
View answerThe Community Recognition Fund recognises the huge efforts made by communities going to great lengths in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland.
Funding of €50 million for over 880 projects is supporting towns and villages nationwide that have shown such generosity in welcoming people from Ukraine and other countries.
The Fund aims to support the development of facilities that will be used in the future by all members of the community. It is important to note that this is separate from other public funding streams which aim to support the development of public service needs arising from the significant number of new arrivals into Ireland.
Through this initiative, communities are being assisted to develop projects such as large-scale multi-purpose sports facilities, walkways, cycle paths, playgrounds, equipment for sports clubs and community festivals. Vehicles have also been funded to address transport needs in communities.
I have been delighted with the very positive response to this Fund. €50 million for almost 900 projects is an unprecedented level of investment in community facilities. We need to make sure that this investment translates into projects on the ground that have a real impact in our communities.
A key priority for me now is to ensure that the range of projects approved across the country are delivered in a timely manner. Once we see good progress in delivering these projects, we can then assess the potential for a further round of funding within the context of overall budgetary resources.
I look forward to seeing projects coming to fruition across the country in the coming months.
18. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she and her Department propose to ensure the widest possible availability of schemes likely to be of major assistance to communities throughout the country, including interaction on a north/south basis or otherwise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49676/23]
View answer25. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the degree to which she continues to fund investment in vital infrastructure throughout rural and urban areas in such a way as to encourage the retention of jobs and the attraction of investors in jobs throughout the regions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49675/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 25 together.
A vital part of my Department's mission is to support vibrant and sustainable communities across this country. My Department provides targeted investment and supports in both rural and urban communities, which enables rural regeneration, facilitates new working opportunities and fosters regional enterprise growth.
In 2023 my Department had a budget allocation of €429 million which supported rural and community development, including investment in infrastructure and initiatives assisting the retention and attraction of jobs throughout the regions. I can assure the Deputy that all my Department’s schemes are designed to support and contribute to urban and/or rural communities across the country.
We will continue to invest in and support communities across the country through our 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.
With regard to communities in Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland, I am particularly pleased that my Department is also an Accountable Department for eight of the twenty two Investment Areas under the PEACEPLUS Programme, which is the new cross-border funding programme, with has a total value of €1.145 billion for all investment areas. This funding will continue to support boarder counties and build peaceful communities on our shared Island, and will build on the investment made through previous iterations of the PEACE programme.
19. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the progress made in providing improved pier facilities on Inis Meáin and Inis Oírr; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49617/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, Galway County Council is the responsible authority for the maintenance and development of pier infrastructure on the Aran Islands.
A steering committee consisting of representatives from my Department and Galway County Council meets on a fortnightly basis to monitor progress on the development of the piers on Inis Oírr and Inis Meáin. Both projects are included in the National Development Plan and are at different stages of progress.
In July of this year I gave approval to Galway County Council to issue a request for tender for the development of the Inis Oírr pier. Galway County Council is the contracting authority and is therefore responsible for all aspects of the procurement process. I understand that a two-stage tender process is currently underway and expect that we will be in a position to appoint a contractor in the first half of 2024.
I can assure the Deputy that I am determined that we maintain the momentum to get this project underway and completed.
With regards to 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. This is required under the Public Spending Code in order to look at all possible options for providing safe harbour facilities on Inis Meáin.
My Department and Galway County Council agree that there will be clear engagement with island representatives and the independent consultants to be appointed, ensuring that the entire community has input into the process.
I can assure you that my Department will continue to engage with the local authority to ensure the process is progressed without delay and consultants appointed as quickly as possible.
20. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if communities in Cavan will benefit from the recently announced funding of €1.3 million for the provision of new information and communication technology in public libraries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49556/23]
View answerOn 4th November, I announced funding of €1.3 million for the provision of new computers, laptops, iPads and other information and communication technology (ICT) in public libraries across the country. This funding will support the new public library strategy, ‘The Library is the Place’, which was launched in July, and it will enable public libraries to replace outdated equipment for the benefit of library users of all ages.
Funding of €32,564.25 was approved for Cavan County Council to support the procurement of ICT equipment including 31 mini desktops and monitors, 15 lightweight notebooks and 8 docking stations. This equipment will be available in the following ten libraries in Cavan:
• Johnston Central Library
• Cootehill Library
• Bailieborough Library
• Ballyjamesduff Library
• Arva Library
• Virginia Library
• Belturbet Library
• Ballyconnell Library
• Cavan Library Service Branch Exchange
• Kingscourt Library
This funding will help make the public libraries in Cavan more accessible and digitally inclusive places. It will ensure that the libraries are able to provide up-to-date ICT infrastructure because this plays a critical role in helping to support digital inclusion, as well as facilitating literacy and technology skills training for those looking for work.
21. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to ensure the viability and sustainability of towns and villages in rural Ireland that were built on floodplains and have been affected by recent and potentially future flooding; if there is targeted funding via the rural regeneration and development fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49611/23]
View answerIt is important to note that the Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for major flood relief schemes. The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns villages and rural areas across Ireland.
Calls for applications to the RRDF 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 projects approved for funding under the RRDF will support the planned and sustainable regeneration of rural towns and villages. Projects may include a number of elements including addressing vacancy and dereliction and promoting economic, tourism, community or cultural development. Applications are developed on the basis of identified local needs and priorities, and in previous rounds of the Fund projects have been approved for funding which included sustainable drainage as an element contributing to wider objectives for the town in question
I announced the fifth call for Category 1 RRDF applications on the 10th of November 2023. The closing date for applications is 12pm on the 8th February 2024.
The application process under the RRDF is competitive in nature and applications can be made by State-funded bodies i.e. Local Authorities, Local Development Companies, State agencies, other Government Departments etc. Lead parties to applications are encouraged to partner with other organisations, including communities, to put forward proposals. An application form and guidance document are available on my Department’s website for those seeking further information.
22. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will engage with the Charity Regulator regarding the status of an application (details supplied); the average length of time an organisation is waiting between submitting an application and the issuing of a registered charity number; the number of staff in the authority assigned to approving applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49554/23]
View answerThe Charities Regulatory Authority (the ‘Charities Regulator’) was established in October 2014 pursuant to the Charities Act 2009. The Authority is the State organisation responsible for registering and regulating all of Ireland’s charities, with the mandate to promote good governance practice.
The Charities Regulator is fully independent in the performance of its statutory functions under Section 14 (3) of the Charities Act 2009. Neither I nor my Department have any role in the decision-making process of the Regulator, particularly with regard to the registration of charities. That is entirely a matter for the Regulator and any queries should be raised directly with the Regulator.
I want to take this opportunity to highlight that the organisation can contact the Charities Regulator directly regarding their application, through an online query form or through the ‘MyAccount Portal’, located at www.charitiesregulator.ie/en/contact-us , with a dedicated phone line for queries about charity applications and registration status, (01) 633 1500, also available between 10am and 1pm, Monday to Friday inclusive.
I understand that there are currently approximately 186 active applications submitted to the Charities Regulator, which are at various stages of the registration process.
Each application for registration must be carefully assessed by the Charities Regulator to ensure that the applicant meets the specific requirements set out in the Charities Act 2009.
While the Charities Regulator endeavours to complete the registration process for applicants as efficiently as possible, the overall application process takes time – typically around six months - and it can vary from case to case in terms of when a decision can be made on an application.
The Charities Act 2009 does not permit the Charities Regulator to reject an incomplete application. This means that the Charities Regulator must make a substantive decision on whether or not an applicant can be entered in the Register of Charities (“the Register) in each case. This can lead to significant ongoing engagement by the Charities Regulator with applicants over what, in some cases, can be a protracted period of time in order to get their applications to a stage where a fair and robust decision can be made.
The registration unit has a team of ten people, including six case officers, who assess completed applications to determine whether an organisation meets the legal requirements to be registered, and can be escalated to the Chief Executive for the final decision.
23. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 62 of 26 September 2023, for an update on the work of the steering committee tasked with monitoring progress on the development of the piers on Inis Oírr and Inis Meáin; if the minutes taken in respect of the meetings are published; the date of the next meeting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49664/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, responsibility for the development of piers on Inis Meáin and Inis Oírr rests with Galway County Council. My Department provides funding to local authorities to undertake upgrade and development of piers serving our islands through both the National Development Plan for major capital projects and through my Department's islands budget for minor infrastructure works.
Officials from my Department meet regularly with members of Galway County Council to monitor progress of the development of the piers on Inis Oírr and Inis Meáin.
So far in 2023, a total of 17 meetings have been held, typically every fortnight. Minutes of each meeting are kept for internal use but not published due to the nature of the meetings. I understand the last meeting was held on Tuesday 31 October with the next meeting scheduled today, 14 November.
It should be noted that substantial progress has been made in the development of these projects recently.
In July of this year I gave approval to Galway County Council to issue a request for tender for the development of the Inis Oírr pier. Galway County Council is the contracting authority and is therefore responsible for all aspects of the procurement process. I understand that a two-stage tender process is currently underway and expect that we will be in a position to appoint a contractor in the first half of 2024.
With regards to 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. This is required under the Public Spending Code in order to look at all possible options for providing safe harbour facilities on Inis Meáin.
I can assure the Deputy that I am determined that we maintain the momentum to get these project underway and completed.
24. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when she expects the next tranche of successful CLÁR funding applicants to be announced; how much she expects to announce in these allocations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49666/23]
View answerThe 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 over 2,100 projects with funding of over €59 million. This funding is making a real difference in many of our smaller and more remote communities.
The 2023 CLÁR programme was launched in March this year. Funding of almost €8 million has been allocated for the 2023 CLÁR programme which is an increase of €0.5m on 2022.
The measures to be funded are:
• Developing Community Facilities and Amenities (Measure 1)
• Mobility, Cancer Care and Community First Responders Transport (Measure 2)
• ‘Our Islands’ (Measure 3)
Some 330 applications have been received across all the measures. CLÁR 2023 is now closed for the receipt of applications.
I was pleased to announce in August last the approval of funding of over €2million for 37 projects under measure 2.
The assessment process is well advanced in relation to measures 1 and 3 of the programme. I expect to be in a position to make a decision on the successful measures 1 and 3 projects, and the level of funding to be provided, in the coming weeks.
