Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2024
826. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she and her Department can assist the rural communities dealing with transport in areas not served by public transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10808/24]
View answer827. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the degree to which she and her Department expect to be in a position to address the socioeconomic needs of rural Ireland throughout the country during the rest of 2024, including such issues as isolation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10809/24]
View answer829. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she and her Department have and continue to address issues of rural isolation and need for services to counter this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10811/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 826, 827 and 829 together.
Addressing the issue of isolation, in both rural and urban communities, cuts across the work of a number of Departments. Many of my Department's policies and funding programmes aim to address social isolation issues in communities, and also deliver benefits by responding to the challenges facing vulnerable individuals.
My Department provides funding to support those in our communities in most need of assistance through schemes such as the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), Community Services Programme (CSO), and Seniors Alert Scheme, amongst others.
SICAP is Ireland’s primary social inclusion funding intervention, delivered locally by Local Development Companies (LDCs) to help those in the greatest need access supports to enable participation in communities.
My Department’s Community Services Programme (CSP) currently supports over 420 community organisations to provide employment opportunities and local services through a social enterprise model. The CSP focuses on communities where public and private sector services are lacking, either through geographical isolation or social isolation or because demand levels are not sufficient.
My Department is responsible for the Seniors Alert Scheme which encourages community support for vulnerable older people in our communities through the provision of personal monitored alarms to enable them to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. Funding is available under the Scheme towards the purchase, by a registered community-based organisation, of a personal alarm or pendant.
My Department also provides supports for social enterprises, many of which are based in rural or isolated areas and provide services to communities that may not otherwise be available.
With regard to transport provision for rural areas, this is a matter for the Minister for Transport. Under the CLÁR Programme my Department provides funding to support the purchase of vehicles for the transport of patients to cancer care treatment and for community first responders.
My Department continues to engage with stakeholders and monitor issues impacting on communities in order to respond to the emerging needs of people in communities right across the country.
