Written Answers Nos. 665-671
665. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will consider a funding stream for community organisations to purchase land and/or buildings for development for sporting and community use; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9041/24]
View answerThe mission of the Department of Rural and Community Development is to promote rural and community development and to support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland. To this end, the Department has a number of funding schemes within which the purchase of land/buildings to be repurposed for community use may be eligible subject to scheme conditions.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS), introduced in 2016, is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. Since the launch of the scheme over €156 million has been allocated to more than 1,700 projects across Ireland. The Scheme has supported towns and villages the length and breadth of the country.
In line with the commitment in Our Rural Future, TVRS priorities are reviewed at the end of each scheme year to ensure that funding is targeted effectively to support vibrant and attractive communities and to respond to changing needs and opportunities.
In 2022, in recognition of the urgent need to transform and regenerate town centres I introduced a new Building Acquisition Measure which enabled local authorities to immediately acquire derelict or vacant buildings, with the intention of using these projects for town regeneration purposes. Twenty nine properties were purchased utilising €6.1m funding in 2022. The Building Acquisition Measure continued in 2023 with a further 24 properties purchased utilising €4.6m in funding.
The 2023 main Town and Village Renewal scheme also has a renewed focus on town centre regeneration and enhancing economic and social vibrancy in line with the Town Centre First policy. This year it includes a new option of allowing local authorities to acquire plots of land to enable development of town regeneration, such as town parks, plazas, etc. I expect to announce the successful 2023 projects in the coming weeks.
Funding under the 2023-2027 LEADER programme, which is delivered through Local Action Groups (LAGs) may also be available to support this type of activity. While LEADER funding would not support the purchase of land or buildings as a standalone project, the LEADER programme may provide grant aid not exceeding 10% of the overall project costs where the purchase of land or buildings formed part of a larger project.
In order for a project to be eligible for LEADER funding, it must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved Local Development Strategy in the sub-regional area concerned, and it must comply with the Operating Rules and EU Regulations in place for the programme. Prospective applicants should, in the first instance, contact their relevant LAG, through its Implementing Partner, to discuss the eligibility of the project and the funding that may be available.
Finally, the 2023 Community Recognition Fund also provided funding for the purchase of buildings or land for the development of community facilities. I have been discussing the implementation of the Community Recognition Fund with Government colleagues, including the potential to introduce a second iteration of the scheme to further assist impacted communities. I expect to make an announcement in this regard shortly.
666. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she is undertaking a review of the controls on dangerous dogs; the terms of reference, and the date on which consultations close; and whether she will examine regimes for control and enforcement in other countries so that best practice models can be considered. [9284/24]
View answerMy Department has policy responsibility for the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 and the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 2014.
My officials are reviewing the existing legislative provisions under the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 and the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 2014, taking account of recommendations from, inter alia, the Report of the Working Group on Control of Dogs, the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Food, Agriculture and the Marine, consultation with stakeholders and experts in the field, and the outcomes of the public consultation undertaken by my Department in 2019.
The public consultation undertaken in 2019 received over 1,000 submissions in relation to control of dog measures, including topics such as breed specific legislation.
In November I announced the establishment of a Stakeholder Group that will inform decisions regarding any potential legislative change. The first meeting of this group will take place shortly.
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. Items under consideration include the possibility for dog control notices, the inclusion of additional breeds in the restricted dogs list and updates to definitions contained in the Dog Breeding Establishments Act. However, the issues raised are wide ranging and complex and require in depth analysis and consultation to ensure amendments are not just robust, fit for purpose and implementable but that they also deliver the best outcomes for communities and for dogs themselves. This work will progress throughout 2024.
In addition my officials regularly meet with counterparts in neighbouring jurisdictions to discuss areas of common interest in relation to dog control policy and this will continue as part of the work outlined.
667. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the outdoor recreation application by a group (details supplied). [9297/24]
View answerThe Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) was introduced in 2016 and is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. Since the launch of the scheme over €156 million has been allocated to more than 1,700 projects across Ireland.
In line with the commitment in Our Rural Future, TVRS priorities are reviewed at the end of each scheme year to ensure that funding is targeted effectively to support vibrant and attractive communities and to respond to changing needs and opportunities.
The 2023 Scheme has a renewed focus on town centre economic and social vibrancy. This will be achieved through projects focusing on town centre regeneration, enhancing our streetscapes and the development of green spaces / recreational amenities which will encourage more people to work, live and socialise in town and village centres.
The 2023 Scheme is now closed and the competitive assessment process is currently ongoing. I can confirm that an application has been received in relation to the project referred to. I expect to be in a position to announce the successful projects by the end Quarter 1 of 2024.
668. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the community services scheme will reopen for applications in 2024, and if so, when is it expected to open. [9308/24]
View answerMy Department of Rural and Community Development's Community Services Programme (CSP) currently supports over 430 community-based organisations, to provide local services through a social enterprise model. CSP provides an annual co-funding contribution towards each full-time equivalent (FTE) position being supported, and, where warranted, towards the cost of employing a manager.
Funding of €1 million was made available for a Call for Proposals in respect of specific CSP services which issued in March 2023. Interested organisations were requested to submit a concept note as the first step in the application process. The concept note was for potential applicants to express an interest in making a full application for entry to the Community Services Programme.
Pobal, who manage and administer the Programme on behalf of my Department, received a large volume of concept notes. Pobal assessed all concept notes received and following the approval of my department, they invited 33 organisations to make a full application to enter the programme. Following appraisal of the full applications received, I approved 14 of these organisations to enter the CSP programme on 13 December last. Some other applications that were not approved to enter the programme arising from this call may be considered at a later date, as funding becomes available.
While no further calls for proposals are anticipated at this time, my Department can hold contact details on file should the programme open for new applicants in the near future. Contact details for a nominated person can be provided to the email address csp@drcd.gov.ie. It should be noted that any additional new entrants will be considered in light of available budgets.
It is also suggested that organisations should make contact with their Local Development Company or Local Authority who may be able to provide some guidance on supports available at this time. Their Local Intreo Office may be able to assist with the possibility of additional staff resources for activation programmes such as Community Employment or Tús.
669. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development for an update on the work of the stakeholder group working on the control of dogs; when the group will next meet; whether additional recommendations have been put forward; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9325/24]
View answerIn November I announced the establishment of an independently chaired high-level Stakeholder Group that will inform decisions regarding any potential legislative change related to dog control.
This group will 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.
The first meeting of the group is scheduled for March and I will be announcing full details of the membership of this group shortly. The group comprises a broad range of expertise including sectoral and academic experts. The members will be well placed to identify challenges and solutions in relation to the existing legislation and recommend a way forward.
Further details will be made available on Gov.ie subject to agreement by the chair and the group in due course.
670. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will allocate additional funding to Clare County Council to help clear the significant backlog for local improvement scheme applications (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9351/24]
View answerThe Local Improvement Scheme supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. As part of Our Rural Future, the Government is committed to ensuring that the LIS is funded into the future.
The scheme was re-introduced in 2017 following several years with no dedicated funding. Between 2017 and 2023, my Department has allocated almost €130 million towards improvement works on over 4,000 non-public roads and lanes. These works have benefitted almost 20,000 landowners and residents in rural Ireland.
From 2017 to 2023, over €6.3 million has been allocated to Clare County Council to fund works carried out on over 149 roads. This is the sixth-highest allocation nationally. In 2023, over €1.37 million was allocated to Clare for repair and maintenance works on 22 roads benefiting 73 households.
Last year alone, almost €30 million in funding was allocated to local authorities across the country - a record investment under the Scheme and a total of €13.55 million has been earmarked to LIS in 2024, an increase of €1 million from the initial funding last year. My department is currently finalising the scheme details for the coming year, and I expect to be in a position to announce them imminently.
The selection of roads to be funded under the scheme is a matter for each local authority based on the priority or condition of particular roads in their county. Local authorities may rely on existing lists of eligible roads and/or advertise for new applicant roads. I am aware, however, that there is a backlog of roads nationally awaiting repair under the scheme despite progress made in recent years. My officials continue to liaise closely with local authorities to ensure funds are utilised fully.
I will closely monitor the expenditure patterns in my Department, and should savings emerge, I will consider allocating additional funding to the scheme.
Finally, I have been engaging for some time with my colleague, the Minister for Transport, regarding his department's potential contribution to a jointly funded Local Improvement Scheme.
671. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the location of the data centre or centres used by her Department; the reason it was chosen; the distance it is from her Department’s offices; if he will identify the centres used by each agency under her Department’s aegis; and the distance these data centres are to their offices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9399/24]
View answerMy Department's ICT Managed Desktop and Managed Hosting Service is provided by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform through the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO).
These services use a number of data centres which are Government owned and ISO 27001 certified. The standard provides guidance for establishing, implementing, maintaining and continually improving an information security management system.
These facilities are located across Dublin City and the greater Dublin area. To ensure the continued integrity and security of the services provided across the public service, the exact location of these data centres are not made public.
There are 4 agencies under the aegis of my Department: Water Safety Ireland (WSI), Pobal, the Western Development Commission (WDC) and the Charities Regulatory Authority (CRA). The day to day operational matters of the agencies, including ICT and usage of data centres, are a matter for their respective Boards and CEOs.
