Written Answers Nos. 25-41
26. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she has received any correspondence from rural community groups expressing concerns over the construction of the North-South Interconnector in Meath, Cavan and Monaghan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49412/23]
View answerThe Department of Rural and Community Development has not received any correspondence in relation to this matter which falls under the remit of the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications.
27. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to make a statement on the issue of staff in libraries being subjected to threats and intimidation; and if there any plans by her Department to develop a policy for dealing with these incidents and supporting the staff in our public libraries. [49642/23]
View answerThe provision of library services is primarily a matter for local authorities in their capacity as library authorities under the Local Government Act 2001. Accordingly, the protection of staff in libraries is primarily a matter for the local authorities.
However, I support the sentiments expressed by the Taoiseach in his letter to library staff on the 21st August last which conveyed the Government's support for staff in our public libraries. The Taoiseach expressed his solidarity and support for the vital work that library staff are doing and stated that no one has the right to intimidate anyone in their place of work.
I am advised that a Standard Operating Guidance document on Protests and Disruptive Behaviour in Libraries was developed by the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), City and County Librarians and Health and Safety Officers. It was distributed to the library sector on the 28th August and I have been informed that this has been well received by staff. Furthermore, throughout 2023 the LGMA has been providing online training resources for library staff to help them cope with disruptive incidents and intimidating behaviour. Local authorities have also delivered in-person training for their staff in the same area.
My department has convened meetings with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Department of Justice, attended also by the LGMA and An Garda Síochána representatives, to ensure a co-ordinated response to the recent protests at libraries
28. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will list all the empty or unused buildings owned by her Department; and if he will detail their locations. [49413/23]
View answerMy Department does not own any empty or unused buildings.
29. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the details on the total amounts of monies awarded to Louth County Council by her Department for all rural schemes including the town and village renewal, CLÁR, Leader, local improvement, outdoor recreation and rural regeneration schemes; the total monies drawn down and spent by Louth County Council over the same years, in tabular form; if not spent, the total monies that were returned to her Department respectively over the same years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49612/23]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy in relation to monies awarded by my Department to Louth County Council is set out below. This refers to the funding allocated under the schemes referred to by the Deputy in each year since 2020 (since the formation of this Government) and the level of that allocated funding that has since been drawn down or was unutilised. The unutilised funding columns in the tables include project underspends and decommitted projects where allocated funding was not drawn down by local authorities. In the case of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, there are two instances where funding was issued to local authorities under two separate scheme measures and then partially returned. These measures were the Accelerated Measure in response to COVID in 2020 and the Streetscapes Measure in 2021. In relation to 2023 schemes, allocations have not been made in respect of all schemes at this stage.
It should be noted that LEADER did not award any funding to Louth County Council and so is not included below. However, payments for the Local Action Groups (LAGs), Implementing Partner and Promoter are channelled through the council in their role as Lead Financial Partner.
Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS)
|
Year |
Total amount allocated |
Total amount drawn down |
Unutilised funding |
|
2020 |
€745,490 |
€489,208 |
€101,684 unused under the Accelerated Measure €256,282 – decommitted Other projects ongoing |
|
2021 |
€1,075,505 |
€384,711 |
€167,959.28 unused under the Streetscapes Measure €2 – project underspend Other projects ongoing |
|
2022 |
€420,885 |
€300,000 |
€0 - projects ongoing |
|
2023 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
CLÁR Programme
|
Year |
Total amount allocated |
Total amount drawn down |
Unutilised funding |
|
2020 |
€63,500 |
€61,183 |
€2,317 project underspend |
|
2021 |
€80,000 |
€76,149 |
€3,851 project underspend |
|
2022 |
€64,427 |
€42,509 |
€1,923Project ongoing |
|
2023 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
Local Improvement Scheme
|
Year |
Total amount allocated |
Total amount drawn down |
Unutilised funding |
|
2020 |
€63,500 |
€61,183 |
€2,317 project underspend |
|
2021 |
€80,000 |
€76,149 |
€3,851 project underspend |
|
2022 |
€64,427 |
€42,509 |
€1,923Project ongoing |
|
2023 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Year |
Total amount allocated |
Total amount drawn down |
Unutilised Funding |
|
2020 |
€250,000 |
€250,000 |
n/a |
|
2021 |
€417,821 |
€417,821 |
n/a |
|
2022 |
€448,273 |
€439,780 |
€8,493 underspend |
|
2023 |
€422,764 |
€300,473 |
Projects still ongoing |
Outdoor Recreation and Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS)
|
Year |
Total amount allocated |
Total amount drawn down |
Unutilised Funding |
|
2020 |
€99,654 |
€97,145 |
€2,509 project underspend |
|
2021 |
€246,079 |
€144,388 |
€2,692 project underspend Other projects ongoing |
|
2022 |
€30,000 |
€0.00 |
€0 (ongoing project) |
|
2023 |
€0.00* |
€0.00 |
€0 |
Rural Regeneration and Development Fund
|
Year |
Total amount allocated |
Total amount drawn down |
Unutilised Funding |
|
2020 |
€ 710,980.00 |
€114,726.36 |
€0 |
|
2021 |
€ 2,864,642.00 |
€163,453.60 |
€0 |
|
2022 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
2023 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
30. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 4 of 26 September 2023, the status of the monitoring committee for the implementation of the new policy for the islands; the terms of reference of the committee; the membership of the committee; the number of meetings held to date and the dates of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49665/23]
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.
A coordinated and cohesive approach across a range of Government Departments will be required for the implementation of the policy, which is underpinned by the principle of the full engagement by island communities in the process.
In that regard, I have recently approved the establishment of the Monitoring Committee, chaired by my Department, to engage with key Government Departments, agencies and local authorities in relation to progress on implementation and report back to me.
The proposed membership and terms of reference of the committee reflect the Government commitment to ensuring that island communities are key participants in the process. Government Departments and State bodies with key roles in the delivery of the policy and action plan will also be represented.
My Department is currently engaging with the representative body for island communities and other relevant stakeholders, including other Government Departments, requesting nominees to be appointed to the Committee.
Arrangements are also being made for the first meeting, expected to be held in the coming weeks, after which I will be in a position to confirm the membership and terms of reference of the committee.
31. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development with reference to the 2023 Community Centres Investment Fund-New Builds Measure, if lead parties could have included primary or second level schools working in partnership with local community organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49470/23]
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.
For the purposes of compliance with public financial procedures, the lead party to an application had to be a State-funded body. State-funded bodies are local authorities, local development companies and other State agencies, including commercial State bodies. This would not have included primary or secondary level schools, although they were welcome to engage with lead parties and communities in support of any particular project.
32. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development how her Department will work with local authorities to encourage them to apply for new funding for the town and village renewal scheme; if there will be a minimum submission requirement for each local authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49718/23]
View answerThe Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. Since its launch in 2016, over €156 million has been allocated to more than 1,700 projects supporting towns and villages across the country.
As committed in Our Rural Future , Ireland's rural development policy, TVRS priorities are reviewed at the end of each scheme year to ensure that funding is targeted effectively to support vibrant and attractive communities.
This year's Scheme has a renewed focus on town centre economic and social vibrancy. This will be achieved through projects focusing on town regeneration, enhancing streetscapes and bringing vacant and derelict buildings back into use as community multi-purpose spaces through refurbishment and renovation.
The TVRS Scheme is administered through local authorities, who work closely with local communities and businesses to develop proposals that can make a lasting impact on rural towns and villages.
Under the 2023 TVRS there is no minimum submission requirement. However, local authorities are invited to submit up to 5 applications to the value of €1.5m per local authority. For areas with inhabited offshore island, 6 applications are permitted up to a maximum of €1.75 million.
The TVRS team in my Department engages systematically with local authorities and assists with any queries that may arise during the process of advertising, preparing and submitting applications to ensure the Scheme has the maximum impact.
The closing date for receipt of applications under the 2023 scheme was last Friday, 10th November 2023 and the assessment process of applications received has now commenced.
33. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the recommendations provided to her by the Control of Dogs Working Group; if she will advise when she plans to publish legislative amendments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49555/23]
View answerIn late 2022, Minister McConalogue was tasked by the then Taoiseach, now Tánaiste Micheál Martin to lead a cross-government review of legislation regarding dogs. I met with Minister McConalogue on Monday 9th January and we requested officials to convene a working group on the control of dogs’ issue. This group, which was chaired by DAFM, produced a report in March.
I was pleased to recently announce significant progress in the implementation of recommendations assigned to my Department.
On 9th November, I signed Statutory Instrument 540 of 2023 to increase on-the-spot fines for offences under the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 2014, including introducing a graduated fine system, and trebling fines for serious offences from €100 to €300.
I also announced the establishment of a high-level stakeholder group to provide a forum for stakeholder organisations to express their views on issues and possible solutions related to dog control issues. The issue of restricted dog breeds and possible amendments or changes to the current arrangements will be discussed by this group, in order to inform policy development in this area. In addition to these measures, I also announced €2 million in capital funding to support Local Authority Dog Control Services and assist them in meeting increased demands on their services.
The centralised national database of registered Dog Breeding Establishments was put in place and is now available on Gov.ie.
My officials are reviewing the existing legislative provisions under the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 and the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 2014. Updates to the existing legislation are required and it is proposed that amendments will be made through a Control of Dogs and Dog Breeding Establishment Miscellaneous Bill. I look forward to engaging with stakeholders throughout the legislative process.
34. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she can provide an update on when the successful applicants for CLÁR funding under Measure 1 will be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49680/23]
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 in the coming weeks.
35. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development what considerations she gave to the recommendations contained in the National Disability Authority submission on her Department's Statement of Strategy 2023-2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49694/23]
View answerThe Statement of Strategy 2023-2025 for the Department of Rural and Community Development was published in August of this year and is available at Gov.ie.
The Strategy sets out the vision and strategic goals that will guide the work of my Department over the period 2023 to 2025 towards delivery of its mission “to promote rural and community development and to support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland”.
Publication of the Strategy followed an extensive consultation exercise with a wide range of stakeholders, including the National Disability Authority, and consideration was given to all feedback received. The National Disability Authority's submission made recommendations in relation to how services and supports within my Department’s remit should be provided to members of the public with disabilities.
My Department's current Strategy reflects a number of the high level recommendations made in the National Disability Authority's submission and I am grateful for their engagement with my officials during this process.
In terms of implementing the Strategy and delivering on its mission, my Department provides a wide range of strategic interventions, funding programmes and policies to support communities and individuals, including people with disabilities. For example:
• The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) supports disadvantaged communities and individuals, including people with disabilities.
• The Community Services Programme (CSP) works on a social enterprise model and supports community businesses to provide local services and create employment opportunities for disadvantaged people including those with disabilities.
• Other funding programmes delivered by my Department, such as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the Community Enhancement Programme, can provide capital support for new or upgraded works in the public realm which increase accessibility for people with disabilities.
• In 2022, the CLÁR Programme included a measure targeted specifically at assisting people with mobility challenges.
• One of the objectives of the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS), which is administered by my Department, is to facilitate the development of outdoor recreational facilities that are accessible to people with disabilities and older people. In developing the scheme my Department has worked with Cara which is a national pan-disability sport organisation providing a collaborative and partnership platform to increase sport and physical activity opportunities for people with disabilities across Ireland. Project applicants under ORIS are required to indicate how the proposed project is inclusive of people with disabilities and older adults, and this forms part of the assessment criteria used to evaluate applications under the scheme.
36. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she intends introducing a new scheme for the development of new community centres where there is a clear community need for same due to population increases; if there will be a pre-planning requirement and a requirement of co-funding from the local authority for such a scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49613/23]
View answerCommunity Centres are the cornerstone of community life in many towns, villages and urban areas around the country. This Government recognises the important role they 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 and the assessment process has now commenced.
I am happy to confirm that twenty-two applications under the Community Centre Investment Fund 2023 are currently being assessed by my Department and it is expected that successful projects will be announced in quarter one 2024. Once the current round of funding has been finalised, I will then give consideration to the need for, and conditions that might be attached to, any further iterations of the scheme in the context of the available funding.
38. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development for an update on the Re-imaging Communities investment area under the PEACEPLUS programme. [49557/23]
View answerThe PEACEPLUS Programme 2021-2027, with a value of over €1.145m, is a new North South cooperation programme, which will have a lasting impact on peace and prosperity in the region, succeeding both of the current (2014-20) PEACE IV and INTERREG VA Programmes.
The core programme area includes Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland, namely Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Cavan, Monaghan and Louth.
My Department is an Accountable Department for eight of the twenty-two Investment Areas, including the Re-imaging Communities Investment Area, and has worked with the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), who manage the programme and relevant Northern Ireland Departments, on guidance documents, calls for applications and pre-application support workshops.
The European Commission approved the content of the PEACEPLUS Programme and the finance agreement came into force on 14th June 2023. On the 15th June, the SEUPB launched a number of Calls for Applications under various investment areas, including Investment Area 1.4 Re-imaging Communities, which has an indicative value of €75m to support ten projects. The closing date for receipt of applications in respect of this thematic area by the SEUPB was the 7th September 2023. It is understood that a large number of applications has been received, with the call hugely over-subscribed.
The SEUPB have completed the basic admissibility checks on all applications received under this investment area and are currently completing pre-requisite checks. The SEUPB will then undertake an Essential Quality Criteria Assessment on all applications. It is therefore envisaged that approval of applications by the Programme Steering Committee, which includes representation from my Department, will occur in Quarter 2 2024.
39. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development in relation to the local improvement scheme, how much funding is available for County Meath under the scheme; what initiatives are taking place in County Meath; if she plans to increase funding available to County Meath under the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49690/23]
View answerThe Local Improvement Scheme, or LIS, supports improving rural roads and laneways not usually maintained by local authorities.
As part of Our Rural Future , the Government is committed to ensuring that the LIS is funded into the future. LIS was reintroduced by my Department in 2017 following a number of years with no dedicated funding. Since 2017, my Department has allocated almost €130 million to the scheme, which has upgraded some 4,000 non-public roads and lanes, benefiting over 16,000 landowners and residents in these rural areas.
In 2023, Meath received a total allocation of €994,513 under the Local Improvement Scheme. This represents an increase of over €425,000 on funding provided in 2022. 14 roads are on track to be completed through LIS funding this year, an increase of 5 from 2022 when 9 roads were completed under the scheme.
Each year, my Department works closely with local authorities to ensure that the funding provided is fully utilised. In 2023, in a further effort to address the backlog and based on savings identified within the Department, a second round of funding was announced in July.
Since the re-introduction of LIS in 2017, Meath has received €4,268,231 in funding, 3.29% of the overall LIS budget to undergo repair works on non-public roads and laneways.
I will continue to closely monitor expenditure patterns in my Department, and should savings emerge, I will consider again allocating additional funding to the scheme in 2024.
40. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development in relation to internships, apprenticeships and graduate schemes run by her Department, what places are available in County Meath; how many are filled in County Meath, and if there are plans to increase same; what is the length of any waiting list for places in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49691/23]
View answerMy Department places a lot of importance on programmes which can provide pathways for people with disabilities and those in marginalised groups to join the workforce. For example, the Department has recruited two WAM (Willing Able Mentoring) graduates who commenced their graduate placement on 4th September 2023. This is a graduate programme for people with disabilities. 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.
However, my Department has no presence in County Meath, with Departmental staff located in Ballina, Dublin and Na Forbacha, Galway.
41. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if communities in Carlow 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. [49552/23]
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 which will benefit library users of all ages.
Funding of €12,971.75 was approved for Carlow County Council to support the procurement of ICT equipment including 7 standard desktops, 7 monitors and 5 Apple devices. This equipment will be available in the following 5 libraries in Carlow:
• Carlow Central Library
• Carlow Library Archive
• Carlow Local Studies
• Muinebheag Library
• Borris Library
This funding will help make the public libraries in Carlow 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.
