Written Answers Nos. 576-599
576. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will examine a matter in respect of the case of a person (details supplied); and if there are any other resources or assistance which can be offered to this person and their parent. [5707/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
577. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will make a statement on a report by an organisation (details supplied) on construction labour shortages. [5687/24]
View answerA key Government priority is to increase the number of people employed in the construction sector. This is essential to the Government meeting its ambitious targets under Housing for All. The CSO Labour force survey of Q3 2023 shows when compared with pre-Covid levels of Q4 2019 the total employment in the sector has grown by 20,400 (+14%). DFHERIS works with sectoral partners to increase skills supply through the current network of skills provision available across the tertiary education system in order to tackle climate and housing issues. There is a significant expansion of the education and training pipeline for construction-related courses.
Development processes are in place for employers/sectors who wish to assess the potential for new apprenticeships. Two new construction apprenticeships, Civil Engineering Technician (Level 6) and Civil Engineering (Level 7) were launched in 2023.
In recent years, annual intake in construction and construction-related apprenticeships has steadily increased. As of the end of December 2023, there have been 4,946 registrations on construction programmes and 848 registrations on construction-related programmes (5,794 in total). Overall that is a 3% increase of registrations on 2022’s figures. In 2023 the construction and construction related apprentice population has surpassed 20,000 for the year, again an increase on 2022 figures. Increased funding for apprenticeships increases the total capacity of the apprenticeship system and will reduce the time that apprentices wait for training. Budget 2024 provides €67m (€57m in core funding and €10m temporary) which will provide core investment into the apprenticeship system, and allow craft apprenticeship to continue to grow.
In August 2023, DFHERIS published the Careers in Construction Action Plan. The 20 actions in the plan are aimed at minimising barriers to construction careers, promoting career opportunities and making construction jobs more attractive to women. This involves changes in the sector, training and upskilling, and promotional activity. To assist in the promotional goals of the Action Plan, funding has been granted for a number of initiatives under the 2024 Housing for All Implementation Fund including a peer-to-peer campaign to recruit young adults to the sector.
In terms of innovation, the greater adoption of MMC is expected to lessen the projected increased need in labour demand. DFHERIS is working with partners to advance a coherent approach to its adoption through innovative initiatives such as the National Demonstration Park for MMC, which is being developed at the National Construction Training Campus at Mount Lucas.
578. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what efforts are being made by his Department to increase the number of professionals providing services for autism and special needs children; and how many college places have been made available in each of the past five years for students wishing to qualify as speech therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and specialist child psychologists in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4989/24]
View answerSignificant engagement is ongoing between my Department, the Department of Health, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and the Department of Education to develop a joined-up approach to address system level demand in therapeutic disciplines and healthcare programmes, particularly for young people.
Last year 462 additional places were be created in higher education institutions in the State, in healthcare programmes. This represents meaningful additionality within existing infrastructure. Fifty of these places were in Speech and Language, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy.
In July 2023, Minister Donnelly and I announced additional places in nursing and allied health professions in higher education institutions in Northern Ireland. Eighty additional places on allied health programmes in Ulster University are being funded by both Departments. Sixty-Eight of these are across Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy. These places have been secured on a one-year basis.
Funding was secured in Budget 2023 by the Department of Health to provide for sponsorship for Clinical and Counselling trainee Psychologist PhD programmes. This arrangement is not the responsibility of my Department, but the Department of Health and the HSE.
A working group in the Department of Education has been examining how the National Education Psychology Service (NEPS) can continue to recruit adequate numbers of suitably qualified Educational Psychologists and continue to respond to the educational psychological needs of children in recognised primary and post-primary schools across the country.
To address supply issues in the medium to long term a workforce plan for educational psychologists is being developed within the Department of Education. As an immediate short-term measure the Department of Education introduced a bursary to support Trainee Educational Psychologists currently in their third year (or third year equivalent) of professional training in University College Dublin (UCD) and Mary Immaculate College (MIC). NEPS are offering a Trainee Educational Psychologist Bursary Award of €40,000 per annum, for each of the three years of the doctoral programme which commenced in September 2023. My Department will continue to work with all relevant stakeholders to improve provision of therapy related programmes available to students.
The attached spreadsheet contains the enrolments for the five years to September 2022, sourced from the HEA Student Records System, and are rounded to the nearest 5. Data for September 2023 is not yet available.
579. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has explored the creation of links between higher education institutions' access offices and Tusla aftercare services to ensure that students with care experience are linked in to on-campus supports to promote retention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5015/24]
View answerAn inclusive higher education system is a national and European priority. Supporting Inclusion is one of the six strategic goals set out in my Department’s Statement of Strategy. I have stated that it is a priority of mine to deliver a more equitable higher education system.
At Higher Education level the new National Access Plan which was launched on 31st August 2022 aims to support inclusion and diversity in our student body, address the wider struggles and challenges for students, and deliver sustainable progress. It recognises the needs of vulnerable learners, the most marginalised and those with special and additional needs.The new plan identifies people with experience of homelessness, Migrants, refugees and those from ethnic minorities as well as those who have experience of the care system as some of the priority groups for action under the Plan. The two overarching ambitions of this Plan are:
that the higher education student body, at all levels and across all programmes, reflects the diversity and social mix of Ireland’s population, and
that our higher education institutions are inclusive, universally designed environments which support student success and outcomes, equity and diversity.
The NAP continues and builds on the vision of previous plans and ambitions for a more inclusive and diverse student population in higher education.The first overarching group – students who are socioeconomically disadvantaged – covers a number of different life situations that can lead to disadvantage, including students who have experience of the care system. Currently, there is no official data available to describe or track the educational attainment and progress of care-experienced young people, that is, those who have spent time in care during childhood.
In relation to the Deputy’s specific question, data on care-experienced young people’s entry to higher education is limited to the data published via the HEAR programme reporting since 2016 and this data only relates to those students who self-identify as care leavers in order to apply for the HEAR programme. A priority for this Plan will be to consider ways to collect more reliable data on higher education students who have experience of the care system. This will form part of the remit of a new Access Data Plan.
The measurement and successful delivery of the Plan is embedded in the Higher Education Authority Act 2022, where every designated institution is required to report annually to the HEA on the implementation of the NAP in its institution. Institutions’ reports were submitted in December 2023 to the HEA and the HEA Executive are currently reviewing these reports. In addition a mid-plan review of the NAP will be undertaken in 2025, which will be guided by the input received up to that date.
580. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason an application for a course (details supplied) has been refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5095/24]
View answerSpringboard+ is managed by the Higher Education Authority on behalf of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. The eligibility criteria for accessing Springboard+ courses are set out at: https://springboardcourses.ie/eligibility. As places on Springboard+ courses are limited, applicants who are on a qualifying Social Welfare payment will always take priority over others.
Higher education institutions are autonomous with regard to management of their academic affairs including admissions procedures. All applications under the Springboard+ initiative are processed by the course providers, in line with the eligibility criteria set out, and the final decision on which applicants are offered a place is one that is made by the course provider.
The Deputy will appreciate that the terms and conditions that apply to Springboard+ are applicable to all participants. Therefore, it would not be appropriate for me, as Minister, or my Department to intervene in this matter.
The applicant would be advised to get in contact with the relevant course provider on this matter.
581. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the current numbers of apprentices awaiting off-the-job job training for phases 2, 4 and 6, broken down into the two categories of waiting 0-6 months and waiting more than six months, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5133/24]
View answerAs of 31st January 2024, the number of apprentices waiting 0-6 months is 2,887 at phase 2, 1,233 at phase 4 and 1,030 at phase 6. This is a total of 5,150 across the three phases. It is expected apprentices wait up to six months for their apprenticeship training. Also as of 31st January 2024, the number of apprentices waiting more than 6 months is 3,622 at phase 2, 100 at phase 4 and 95 at phase 6. This is a total of 3,817 across the three phases.The information requested by the Deputy is shown in tabular form below. Apprentices waiting for Phase 2, 4 & 6 at end of January 2024
The significant progress made in addressing the backlog, those apprentices waiting 6 months or longer to access the next phase of off-the-job training, is possible due to the whole of sector approach being applied to it. Focusing in increasing capacity across ETBs, over 9,000 Phase 2 training places will be delivered in 2024. This will continue to reduce the backlog, ensuring that more and more apprentices proceed through their training.
582. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has considered recognising the British and Irish Institute of Modern Music for grant purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5234/24]
View answerThe main support available to assist students with the cost of attending higher education is the Student Grant Scheme. Under the Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to eligible students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means. The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the centralised student grant awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) to determine.
The definition of an approved institution is set out in Section 7 of the Student Support Act 2011 and Regulation 3 of the Student Support Regulations 2023. Private colleges operated on a for-profit basis, such as the British and Irish Institute of Modern Music, are not listed as approved institutions for student grant purposes.
583. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of times he embarked on visits to foreign countries on behalf of the State since the formation of the Government; the geographical location of each visit; the number of days he spent abroad on such trips; the dates upon which each trip took place; and the associated travel and accommodation costs which were incurred by his Department in respect of each trip, in tabular form [5243/24]
View answerThe details sought by the Deputy are as follows:
|
Year |
Purpose |
Location
|
Dates |
#Days |
Travel and Accommodation Costs |
|
2021 |
OECD |
Paris, France |
25 November |
1 Day |
€76.00 |
|
|
COMPET Council Meeting |
Brussels |
26 November |
1 Day |
€309.41 |
|
2022 |
EYCS Education Council Meeting |
Luxembourg |
4 April |
1 Day |
€167.39 |
|
|
Visit to Irish Embassy and Universities - Journée Irlande at Campus France |
Paris, France |
4-5 July |
1 Day |
€717.59 |
|
2023 |
Saint Patrick’s Day Visit |
San Francisco, USA |
10 –14 March |
3 days |
€880.48* |
|
|
Saint Patrick’s Day Visit |
Vancouver, Canada |
14 – 16 March |
2 days |
€1,877.88* |
|
|
Ministerial Visit to CERN |
Geneva, Switzerland |
23 June |
1 day |
€1142.15 |
|
|
Team Ireland Trade Mission |
Seoul, Republic of Korea |
31 October – 3 November |
4 days |
€6,631.71 |
|
|
Ireland - Wales Forum |
North Wales |
19-20 October |
1 day |
€244.05 |
* Cost of hotel not available. Due to dual Ministerial responsibilities, costs were shared by two Departments. The, Department of Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science and the Department of Justice. Records concerning accommodation are held by the Department of Justice.
584. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when hourly-paid adult education tutors with the ETB will receive parity with their full-time equivalent colleagues in respect of the terms and conditions for their employment, particularly a public service contract and access to an incremental salary scheme (details supplied); what work he is undertaking to avoid further disputes with this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5282/24]
View answerThe regularisation of the role of adult education tutors in Education and Training Boards is a priority for me and my Department. As the Deputy will be aware, a proposal issued to staff representatives last year to establish a new grade of adult educator, with a standardised pay scale aligned with the Youthreach resource person scale. This grade will apply to tutors employed in ETBs to deliver FET programmes, who are currently employed under a variety of terms and conditions. The provision of a pay scale will allow for incremental progression and a career path for Tutors in the further education and training sector.
The implementation of the proposal has been the subject of further negotiations with staff representatives. A key issue raised related to incremental progression. My Department and the Department of Education, which has regulatory responsibility for the ETB sector currently, have recently submitted an updated proposal to the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. The award of Building Momentum increases due to those tutors on SOLAS-funded programmes who are paid on self-financing rates will also be addressed as part of this process. Officials are engaging on the updated proposal and it is hoped to conclude this matter at the earliest opportunity.
Each of the over 2,800 tutors employed across the ETBs will have the option to avail of the proposal and assimilate on to the proposed new adult educator pay scale or remain on his or her existing arrangements.
585. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount spent on traditional and online advertising by his Department in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [5350/24]
View answerBelow is the advertising spend by my Department since it's establishment broken down by traditional and online.
|
Year |
Traditional (Press, Radio and Outdoor) |
Online |
Total Advertising Spend |
|
2021 |
63,357.74 |
2091.11 |
€65,449 |
|
2022 |
62,767.96 |
6767.83 |
€69,536 |
|
2023 |
337,177 |
104,952 |
€442,129 |
586. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has spent money or sought external assistance with Departmental and ministerial public relations; if so, the cost; and the name of the agencies, consultants and companies involved in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [5368/24]
View answerMy Department has not sought external public relations assistance at any time since it's establishment.
587. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount spent by his Department on legal costs or services in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [5386/24]
View answerThe below information has been provided by the Chief State Solicitors Office.
The table outlines from their records the number of legal cases taken against the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science since its establishment in 2020 and to date in 2024. The search criteria used is legal cases created in the case management system where the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science was linked to the file as a client and where the CSSO acted. In addition, also included are other cases where the Minister was named in the proceedings, but another Minister may have taken the lead in the case. As the CSSO have not carried out a review of the content of each file, it may be that proceedings were not ultimately issued/pursued against the Minister in every case.
Summary Table:
|
Number of Legal Cases taken against DFHERIS |
|
|
Date |
Number |
|
2020 |
39 |
|
2021 |
10 |
|
2022 |
4 |
|
2023 |
4 |
|
2024 |
0 |
|
Grand Total |
57 |
Of these cases, there is one entry that is considered Legal Services, which I have included below:
|
Legal services engaged by the Department |
Date |
|
Drafting of S.I. No. 413/2022 - European Union (Regulated Professions Proportionality Assessment) Regulations 2022 |
2022 |
The Chief State Solicitor's Office, as Government solicitor, absorbs the costs of representing the Department.
588. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount spent by his Department on the procurement of office space, and furniture and office IT equipment in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024. [5404/24]
View answerThe procurement, purchase and rent of Government offices is the responsibility of Property Management Services in the Office of Public Works, which acts as an agent for all Government Departments and offices. The number, terms and cost of the leases are a matter for the OPW. I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department was established in August 2020 and has occupied existing State-owned office space since that time. I can also confirm that the majority of office furniture and office IT equipment in use has been supplied from existing inventory. My Department is currently split over three locations and the costs incurred concerning office furniture and fittings and IT equipment since its establishment are given in the tables below.
|
Expenditure |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Office Furniture & Fittings |
€39,757 |
€37,609 |
€75,270 |
€61,812 |
€246 |
|
Office IT Equipment |
€ - |
€205 |
€126,984 |
€49,549 |
€1,365 |
589. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science , further to Parliamentary Question No. 528 of 29 November 2022, the actions he has taken since December 2022 to increase the supply of domestic medical graduates; and the number of domestic medical graduates in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. [5493/24]
View answer590. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science , further to Parliamentary Question No. 528 of 29 November 2022, the actions he has taken since December 2022 to increase the supply of medical graduates from EU countries, excluding Ireland; and the number of medical graduates from EU countries other than Ireland in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. [5494/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 589 and 590 together.
My Department is committed to working closely with the Department of Health and its agencies to ensure that the conditions are in place to support further growth in healthcare professions including increasing the supply of Medicine graduates.The number of domestic Medicine graduates and Medicine graduates from other EU countries is currently being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
There are two main factors driving my approach to addressing issues with medical education - ensuring that we produce enough doctors to meet the requirements of our healthcare system and our society; and providing more places for students, in a context where the level of demand has consistently exceeded the number of places available.
I have been prioritising expanding the overall number of medicine places so that more students will have the opportunity to study medicine, particularly on direct entry programmes. In July 2022 the Minister for Health and I announced an agreement with the Irish medical schools to increase the number of places available for EU students by 200 over the next five years. The agreement reached with the medical schools will began with an additional 60 EU students in September 2022, climbing to 120 in September 2023, and up to 200 by 2026. The July 2022 agreement included Graduate Entry Medicine additional places. To date an additional 10 graduate entry places, 5 in 2022 and another 5 in 2023 have been created, with the other 110 places on direct entry programmes.This marks a significant expansion in the number of places available to students applying through the CAO system. It increases the opportunities for students to progress to study medicine in Ireland and to help us build our talent pipeline.
A number of institutions have put forward proposals outlining options for the expansion of Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Dentistry and Veterinary programmes but also for the development of entirely new programme following last year’s Higher Education Authority Expression of Interest Process. Detailed discussions need to take place about the ways and means to address capital costs for the provision of any new school - it will naturally take some time for these discussions to reach a conclusion. Engagements are now underway between the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform and all Departments commencing in Q1 2024 on the review of the National Development Plan. I will continue to work with my colleagues the Minister for Health and the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in relation to the options identified.
My officials have also been working closely with the institutions in the North and the Departments of Health and Economy, Northern Ireland over the last 18 months, to develop a proposal which would lead to more medical places for Irish students in the North and increase the pool of Irish medical graduates, educated on the island who would be eligible to apply to work in the HSE. The final details of this proposal are still being worked through. I do expect however to be in a position to make a further announcement shortly with relevant information being made publicly available at that time.
With the ongoing expansion in places across our six medical schools, and the additional places I hope to secure in Northern Ireland, by September 2024 we will have delivered a more than 25% increase in places for Irish students relative to September 2021.
My priority is to ensure that we build capacity in a sustainable way which will allow for steady, growth and forward planning by both the health and higher education sectors for a graduate pipeline to meet the needs of the health system and society as a whole.
591. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will report on collaboration between the Irish institute of higher education with its counterparts in Spain. [5527/24]
View answerMy Department has been in contact with the Deputy on this matter seeking additional information on the institute in question. I will be in a better position to respond once this is available.
592. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the fire safety procedures and policies by which university-owned student accommodation must abide; if this incudes fire extinguishers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5559/24]
View answerThe Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has produced guidance documents on fire safety to assist persons in charge of premises to discharge their duties under the Fire Services Act, 1981. These can be found at: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/a19b0-responsibility-and-guidance-documents/#.
In addition, the design and construction of any new buildings, extensions or any other works to buildings must be carried out in compliance with the Building Regulations. Part B deals with Fire Safety S.I. No. 115/2006 - Building Regulations (Amendment) Regulations 2006 (irishstatutebook.ie)Building regulations and the Fire Services Act are under the remit of Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O'Brien T.D. Universities as autonomous bodies are responsible for the day to day operations of its campuses including health and safety procedures. Any queries in the first instance should be directed to the University.
593. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of the different rates of pay given by SOLAS to apprentices who are undertaking the same off-the-job training programme, will get the same qualification and do the same work; if he will address the pay difference paid by SOLAS to electrical apprentices in the engineering industry and electrical industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5602/24]
View answerAll apprenticeship programmes are undertaken under a contract of employment. For the majority of apprenticeships, the rate of pay is agreed between the apprentice and the employer, with the employer paying the apprentice during both on-the-job and off-the-job training elements.
For the 25 Craft Apprenticeship programmes, the minimum rates of pay are determined by the industry sector to which the employer belongs. They are not based on the specific skill or trade that the apprentice is undertaking. This ensures that all craft apprentices with a single employer are subject to a common set of gross wage norms.
Gross wage norms are either agreed within the relevant sector or are set out in legally binding Sectoral Employment Orders (SEOs) recommended by the Labour Court. Any review of those rates currently payable is a matter for negotiation and agreement under the appropriate industrial relations structures in place.
Under the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 there is a commitment to consolidate the two systems of apprenticeship into a single system. This would see greater alignment of the development, review, governance and funding arrangements for all apprenticeship programmes. In this regard, work is progressing through the National Apprenticeship Alliance, which represents the broad range of stakeholders in the overall apprenticeship system. It is intended to bring a Memorandum to Government later this year setting out the pathway to achieving the single system.
I am confident that the partnership approach, upon which this will be based, will help ensure the successful delivery of this outcome.
594. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she can confirm receipt of a request for an extension of the community centre investment fund project allocation from (details supplied) for six months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5077/24]
View answerCommunity Centres are the cornerstone of community life in towns and villages around the country. This Government recognises the important role that these centres play in bringing people together and facilitating community services and events.
I have prioritised the development and enhancement of Community Centres across the country to improve access and provide suitable places for social gatherings in communities.
With this in mind, my Department has developed an extensive range of funding streams that are available to support communities and community facilities. Under the 2022 Community Centre Investment Fund in particular, over €45.8 million was committed for improvement and refurbishment of existing community centres across Ireland. There was a huge uptake of this funding and over 860 different projects are seeing improvements to the fabric of their community centres as a result of this Government initiative.
I understand that in excess of 140 of these projects are now complete and that good progress is being made on the remaining approvals.
I can confirm that the extension request referred to by the Deputy has been received and processed by my officials. An extension up until the end of July 2024 has been agreed. I would encourage the committee in question to update my officials regularly on their progress.
595. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development for details on grant aid for capital projects such as building community centres; if she will list the various schemes, deadlines and capital available for each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5200/24]
View answerI have put in place an integrated programme of capital funding supports for the development of infrastructure in rural areas and the development of community facilities right across the country as outlined below.
RRDF
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. Since the Fund was established in 2018, a total of 215 projects have been approved for funding of €414 million for projects costing €570 million to develop and deliver projects, many of which include restoring and building community facilities. Calls for applications to the Fund are sought under two categories – Category 1, which relates to large scale ambitious capital projects with all necessary planning and other consents in place, and which are ready to proceed, and Category 2, which provides smaller grant funding to enable the development of project proposals suitable for future calls for Category 1 applications. I recently announced a new call for applications under the RRDF and the closing date for applications is 12pm on the 8th of February 2024.
CCIF
Under the 2022 Community Centres Investment Fund (CCIF), over €45.8 million has been committed to the improvement and refurbishment of existing community centres across Ireland. In 2023, the focus of the Community Centres Investment Fund moved to new builds. Last year, I announced a €20 million Fund to support communities with ‘shovel-ready’ projects on green or brownfield sites for the construction of new community centres. In total, twenty-two applications for new build community centres were received by my Department. The assessment of these applications is almost complete and I expect to announce the successful projects shortly. The Community Centres Investment Fund is not currently open for applications.
CLÁR
My Department also funds the CLÁR programme. 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. In total, funding of almost €13 million was provided for over 300 projects under CLÁR 2023. It included supports for a vast array of projects that will benefit people of all ages and abilities such as playgrounds, sensory gardens, outdoor cinemas, walking tracks, and community gyms. I expect the 2024 iteration of the CLÁR programme to be launched in quarter one of this year.
Town and Village Renewal Scheme
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme was launched in 2016 and is one of a number of measures designated to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. The 2023 Scheme is designed to support the revitalisation of rural Ireland through a renewed focus on town centre economic and social recovery and regeneration. The deadline for applications under this scheme was 10 November 2023 and I expect the announcement of successful projects by the end of quarter one 2024. The next iteration of the scheme will be opened later in the year.
ORIS
The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding for the development and enhancement of outdoor recreational infrastructure such as walking trails, cycleways and blue ways throughout rural Ireland. The scheme provides funding under different measures for amounts ranging from €30,000 to €500,000. The 2023 scheme is now closed to applications and the applications received are currently being assessed by my Department. I expect to make an announcement on the successful projects in quarter 1 of this year. The next iteration of the scheme will be opened later this year.
Local Enhancement Programme
The Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) 2024, with capital funding of €6 million, aims to provide supports essential for small community groups and organisations, particularly those who serve disadvantaged areas. There is a particular focus on small capital works/improvements, and the purchase of equipment for community use. The funding may be used, but is not limited to; improved access for persons with a disability; enhancing community participation for disadvantaged and marginalised groups, and improving energy efficiency of community facilities to reduce ongoing costs.
The Local Enhancement Programme is administered on behalf of my Department locally by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) across the country, with support from their Local Authority. Each LCDC is advertising the fund and I would encourage all groups to engage with their LCDC directly for details on how to apply.
LEADER
The 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.
It is delivered through Local Action Groups (LAGs) across rural Ireland. A feature of the LEADER programme is that it is based on a community-led, bottom-up approach to rural development. In October 2022 funding for the 2023 - 2027 LEADER programme of €180 million was announced. This is in addition to the €70 million in funding allocated for the transitional period 2021 to 2022 maintaining the level of funding of €250 million provided for the 2014-2020 programming period.
Funding under the 2023-2027 LEADER programme is not targeted at any particular group or sector in rural communities. It is, rather, focused on a thematic approach to rural development under the headings; Economic Development and Job Creation, Rural Infrastructure and Social Inclusion, Sustainable Development of the Rural Environment and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation. Funding for activities such as that referenced by the Deputy may be available under one of these themes.
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. Information on each of the areas referenced above is available on my Department’s website www.gov.ie/drcd and I would encourage the Deputy to monitor the website for upcoming launches and funding announcements.
Community Recognition Fund
The Community Recognition Fund recognises the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland. Funding of €50 million for some 900 projects is supporting towns and villages nationwide that have welcomed 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. 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.
Discussions are ongoing with regard to introducing a second iteration of the scheme to further assist impacted communities. My officials are advancing this work with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery & Reform and, subject to the outcome of that process, I expect to make an announcement shortly.
Libraries Capital Programme
The Libraries Capital Programme, under my Department, will invest €33.1m over the 2023-2027 period in new and refurbished library buildings, mobile library vehicles, My Open Library services, ICT infrastructure, and small scale works. This funding complements funding provided towards library developments under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF). A call for proposals for major library infrastructure projects and next generation library vehicles was launched in 2023 with a closing date of June 16thh last. 33 infrastructure projects proposals and 15 library vehicle proposals were received and announcements of successful projects will be made in the coming weeks.
596. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there are funding applications with her Department specifically relating to a building in Castleblayney (details supplied); if her Department has had any discussions on this derelict structure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5210/24]
View answerThe 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 €414 million for projects costing €570 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.
My Department has not received an application for funding in respect of Hope Castle itself under previous rounds of the RRDF. However, I was delighted to officially open the new Castleblayney Library on the 10th of November. This project was funded by my Department under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and has seen the complete transformation of the previously derelict Hope Castle Gate Lodge Building. I also announced a new call for applications under the RRDF on the day and the closing date for applications is the 8th of 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.
597. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of times she embarked on visits to foreign countries on behalf of the State since the formation of the Government; the geographical location of each visit; the number of days she spent abroad on such trips; the dates upon which each trip took place; and the associated travel and accommodation costs incurred by her Department in respect of each trip, in tabular form.. [5248/24]
View answerThe details requested by the Deputy in respect of foreign travel undertaken by me in my role as Minister for Rural and Community Development are outlined in the following table.
|
Name |
Number of Days |
Dates of travel |
Destination |
Total costs of Flights |
Total Cost of Hotel |
|
Minister Humphreys |
2 |
23-25 Jan 2023 |
Berlin |
€616.48 |
€376.20 |
|
Minister Humphreys |
4 |
10-14 Mar 2023 |
London |
€266.58 |
€1,065.30 |
|
Minister Humphreys |
1 |
19-20 Mar 2023 |
Manchester |
€413.20 |
€213.83 |
598. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount spent on traditional and online advertising by her Department in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [5355/24]
View answerMy Department's total expenditure in relation to traditional and online advertising since its establishment in 2017 is laid out in the table below.
|
- |
Traditional advertising |
Online advertising |
Total |
|
2017 |
€12,712 |
Nil |
€12,712 |
|
2018 |
€7,492 |
Nil |
€7,492 |
|
2019 |
€12,088 |
€6,754.07 |
€18,842.07 |
|
2020 |
€1,845 |
€167 |
€2,012 |
|
2021 |
€4,184 |
€4,798.52 |
€8,982.52 |
|
2022 |
€53,332.16 |
Nil |
€53,332.16 |
|
2023 |
€26,301 |
€8,271.07 |
€34,572.07 |
|
2024 (to date) |
€16,960.43 |
€1,000 |
€17,960.43 |
599. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department has spent money or sought external assistance with Departmental and, Ministerial public relations; if so, the cost; and the name of the agencies, consultants and companies involved in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [5373/24]
View answerSince my Department’s establishment in 2017, it has not procured or utilised any services for the purposes of Departmental or Ministerial public relations. In carrying out its functions the Department does, on occasion, use advertising and communications services for work such as public consultations and raising awareness of funding schemes.
