Parliamentary questions

Local Improvement Scheme Administration

Jackie Cahill

635. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a local authority is required by departmental guidelines to advertise publicly the local improvement scheme before particular works are agreed or completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42923/17]

Banking Sector

Peadar Tóibín

636. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the interdepartmental report into the provision of public banking will be published. [42953/17]

Charities Regulation

Michael Healy-Rae

637. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to ensure the Charities Regulator is fully resourced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42977/17]

Ministerial Functions

Billy Kelleher

638. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the powers he has delegated to the Ministers of State in his Department; the date on which such delegation was made; if there were changes in powers delegated relative to the situation in place prior to 14 June 2017; if so, the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42786/17]

Departmental Schemes

Dara Calleary

639. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will reintroduce the funding scheme that was previously available to support the installation of three-phase electricity for rural businesses; and the supports available for a business seeking for this service. [42941/17]

Departmental Funding

Éamon Ó Cuív

640. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of moneys prepaid by his Department for all schemes to local authorities toward the close of 2016 for work to be carried out in 2017; the amount of expenditure allocated to each county, by programme; the expenditure that had been incurred up to the end of September in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43005/17]

Departmental Offices

Éamon Ó Cuív

641. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the location of the headquarters of his Department; the number of civil servants based there; the number of civil servants based in each location where his Department has an office; the town in which each one of these offices is located; the reason that the headquarters of his Department is not located in a rural area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43006/17]

Charitable and Voluntary Organisations

Anne Rabbitte

642. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the charitable status of an organisation (details supplied); and the timeframe for the number to be issued. [42199/17]

Lobbying Data

Róisín Shortall

643. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of occasions on which he has been lobbied in respect of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill since March 2016; the persons he has met; the dates of these meetings; the details of the basis of the lobbying; his views on the issues raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42297/17]

Regional Development Policy

Carol Nolan

644. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the functions of his Department extend to ensuring balanced regional development; his views on a recent EUROSTAT report that states that over 50% of development is in the Dublin region; his plans to ensure balanced regional development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42347/17]

Local Authority Functions

Carol Nolan

645. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the measures he plans to put in place to ensure that local authorities are prepared for the roll-out of broadband once the tender process is concluded; the cost of the measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42348/17]

Action Plan for Rural Development

Carol Nolan

646. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to commission research on the impact of Brexit on rural communities as committed to in the Action Plan for Rural Development; when this research will be commissioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42349/17]

Seniors Alert Scheme

Carol Nolan

647. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding allocation for the senior alert scheme over each of the past ten years; the number of beneficiaries of the scheme per year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42350/17]

Local Improvement Scheme Funding

Bernard Durkan

648. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which Kildare County Council can apply for and obtain funding under the local improvement scheme in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42418/17]

Road Improvement Schemes

Éamon Ó Cuív

209. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the limits he has put on the costings for administration by local authorities on works to be carried out under the local improvement schemes to ensure as many roads as possible are repaired under the scheme to the highest standard possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42038/17]

Local Improvement Scheme Funding

Niamh Smyth

555. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the local improvement scheme has officially been reinstated basis; if it will be on a yearly basis; the funding that can be expected for this scheme in 2018 in counties Cavan, Meath and Monaghan; if the funding will be ring-fenced to the local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41287/17]

Charitable and Voluntary Organisations

Kevin O'Keeffe

556. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if an organisation (details supplied) is not registered as a charitable organisation, if it can accept gifts. [41408/17]

Dog Breeding Industry

Maureen O'Sullivan

557. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to conduct a review of the breed restrictions in the Control of Dogs Act 1998 regulations in view of a group's (details supplied) call to conduct a review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41753/17]

Departmental Budgets

Michael Fitzmaurice

558. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the budget he has received to operate his Department for 2017; the expected budget for 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41422/17]

Departmental Staff Data

Michael Fitzmaurice

559. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of staff employed by his Department; the number in Dublin and Ballina, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41423/17]

Departmental Expenditure

Michael Fitzmaurice

560. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount his Department has spent since being established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41424/17]

Information and Communications Technology

Michael Fitzmaurice

561. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the information technology system in his Department will be upgraded to prevent the issue which occurred with the release of the Tidy Towns results on 25 September 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41425/17]

Information and Communications Technology

Thomas Byrne

562. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if his attention has been drawn to ongoing issues with the Tidy Towns website; and if his attention has been further drawn to the annoyance and confusion that this problem has caused Tidy Towns groups across the country in accessing adjudicators reports and the results for the 2017 competition. [41561/17]

Leader Programmes Expenditure

Michael Moynihan

563. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the actual spend to date on the Leader programme under the rural development programme 2014 to 2020 in County Cork by animation, administration and project spend; the original budget allocation given to County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41628/17]

CLÁR Programme

Michael Healy-Rae

564. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the funding process for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41654/17]

RAPID Programme

Niall Collins

565. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the budget allocation for each urban community scheme in operation over the 2010 to 2017 period on an annual basis, in tabular form. [41845/17]

Departmental Schemes

Charlie McConalogue

253. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 452 of 13 July 2017, the position regarding the introduction of a renovation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41035/17]

Town and Village Renewal Scheme

Carol Nolan

254. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of projects that have been approved for funding under the town and village renewal scheme that are still awaiting receipt of the funding allocated; the amount that has been paid out to groups; the amount that remains outstanding to be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41014/17]

Leader Programmes Data

Carol Nolan

255. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of applications for Leader funding since the new programme commenced; the amount of funding sought; the number of applications each year under the previous LEADER programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41015/17]

Departmental Funding

Charlie McConalogue

256. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will provide funding to an organisation (details supplied) that is overseeing the regeneration of an area as a cultural and social hub in County Donegal to employ a full-time administrator to oversee the ongoing projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41034/17]

Western Development Commission Funding

Lisa Chambers

257. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the budget for the Western Development Commission for 2017; the projected budget for 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41061/17]

Seniors Alert Scheme

Sean Fleming

258. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the position regarding the changing of contracts for the installation of personal monitored alarms; the rationale behind expected changes regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41068/17]

Severe Weather Events Response

Carol Nolan

259. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will liaise with Donegal County Council to ensure funding is provided to rebuild the key community and tourism amenities of Swan Park, Buncrana and Glenevin waterfall that were devastated by the recent floods in the area. [41218/17]

Humanitarian Assistance Scheme

Carol Nolan

260. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will establish a humanitarian assistance scheme to support and assist the owners of private roads and lanes in north and east County Donegal that were devastated by the recent floods. [41219/17]

Local Improvement Scheme Applications

Carol Nolan

261. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Donegal County Council recently made a submission to his Department seeking more than €20 million in funding under the local improvement scheme following receipt of 1,300 applications from across the county; the level of funding which will be available for allocation to local authorities in 2018; and when these funds will be made available to local authorities. [41220/17]

Ministerial Responsibilities

Dara Calleary

186. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of Ministers of State attached to his Department; the responsibilities of each; if designated powers have been signed by him and assigned to the relevant Ministers of State; the date on which each designation was signed; the reason in circumstances in which no such designation has been made, this has not occurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40805/17]

Proposed Legislation

Catherine Martin

492. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to bring forward legislation on improving the ability of walkers to access private land for recreational walking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40217/17]

Town and Village Renewal Scheme

John McGuinness

493. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when village schemes will be announced. [40348/17]

National Way Marked Ways

Michael Healy-Rae

494. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will provide an increase to 80 in the number of walks in the walks scheme and an increase in the allocation to €4 million which is required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40432/17]

CLÁR Programme

Robert Troy

495. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if CLÁR funding will be granted to a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40145/17]

Departmental Budgets

Éamon Ó Cuív

199. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of capital allocated to his Department for 2017 at its creation; the amount of this spent to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40019/17]

Leader Programmes Data

Éamon Ó Cuív

200. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the expenditure on projects under the LEADER programme in each of the years 2014 to 2020 as of 31 August 2017; the approvals for projects to the same day, by LAG; the steps being taken to expedite expenditure under the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40020/17]

Leader Programmes Expenditure

Éamon Ó Cuív

201. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the expenditure that had been incurred under the LEADER programme in each of the years 2007 to 2013 and as of 31 August 2010; the value of projects that had been approved under this programme at this date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40021/17]

Departmental Programmes

Éamon Ó Cuív

202. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the allocation of funding for 2017 under the CLÁR scheme, the REDZ scheme and the town and village renewal scheme respectively; the amount spent under each scheme to date in 2017; the value of the approved projects on which no funding has been claimed to date, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40022/17]

Local Authority Funding

Éamon Ó Cuív

203. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount prepaid to local authorities at the end of 2016 for rural development purposes; the schemes under which it was allocated, by local authority; the amount of the funding which has been spent by each local authority on each scheme to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40026/17]

Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme Funding

Clare Daly

204. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will review the SICAP funding to deal with the shortcomings in the present system regarding the way in which funds are allocated (details supplied). [40044/17]

Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme

Clare Daly

205. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the index traditionally being used to allocate SICAP funding remains weighted by the presence of local authority housing in view of the fact that since the early 1990s housing for persons in need has generally been provided through the private sector creating a deep anomaly for areas for example which have seen large population growth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40045/17]

Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme Funding

Clare Daly

206. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to increase the amount of funding available to Fingal to reflect population growth. [40046/17]

Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme Administration

Clare Daly

207. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he has given consideration to a system whereby if the contract for delivery of SICAP funding is again assigned to the Blanchardstown area partnership, that the Fingal leader partnership would work as a subcontractor (details supplied). [40047/17]

Charities Regulation

Fiona O'Loughlin

670. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if his attention has been drawn to the impending sale of a building (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39191/17]

Charities Regulation

Fiona O'Loughlin

671. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will discuss with the Charities Regulator the legitimate concerns of the public in Newbridge relating to the sale of a building (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39193/17]

Library Services Funding

Tony McLoughlin

672. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a new funding mechanism for the upgrading of libraries will be made available by his Department in order that libraries such as Sligo Central Library in Sligo town can develop new premises to better cater to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39210/17]

Town and Village Renewal Scheme

Charlie McConalogue

673. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to roll out the scheme to renovate properties and old buildings in small towns and villages from its present pilot status to a nationwide programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39086/17]

CLÁR Programme

Michael Healy-Rae

674. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when groups should expect to hear from the Department regarding the second-round decisions on CLÁR funding and on whether they have been successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39289/17]

CLÁR Programme

Tom Neville

675. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if his Department will provide supplementary funding under the CLÁR programme for essential works in a facility (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39380/17]

Post Office Network

Michael Healy-Rae

676. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if his attention has been drawn to a matter (details supplied) that could impact on the survival of rural post offices; his plans to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39673/17]

Rural Development Programme Funding

James Browne

677. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of the €28 million paid to local authorities under the regional and rural sub-heads in 2016 that was allocated for County Wexford; the amount that has been spent by Wexford County Council; the amount submitted to his Department accounting for this expenditure to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39726/17]

Roads Maintenance Funding

Éamon Ó Cuív

678. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if his Department has received an application for funding to upgrade a road (details supplied); the scheme under which this application is being considered; the progress made to date in considering the application; when it is expected that a decision will be made in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39845/17]

Post Offices and Credit Unions Merger

Thomas Pringle

1700. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to facilitate a greater share of the banking market here by post offices through the facilitation of a community banking service comparable to a model (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37620/17]

Rural Recreation Scheme

Imelda Munster

1701. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the allocation of funding under the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme in each of the years 2006 to 2017. [37674/17]

Library Services Provision

Niamh Smyth

1702. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the position regarding works on a site (details supplied) in Castleblayney; when these works are likely to begin; the amount which has been allocated; when works will be concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37739/17]

Seniors Alert Scheme

Peadar Tóibín

1703. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the allocation to the senior alert scheme each year since it was established. [38448/17]

Rural Recreation Promotion

Peadar Tóibín

1704. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the allocation to the walks scheme in the past ten years; and the number of walks which this funded in the past ten years, in tabular form. [38515/17]

CLÁR Programme

John Brassil

1705. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will allocate further funds to the CLÁR programme in view of the fact many applications had to be refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36935/17]

Departmental Staff Data

Mary Lou McDonald

1706. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of women and men respectively employed in his Department, in tabular form. [37271/17]

Departmental Staff Data

Mary Lou McDonald

1707. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of men and women respectively in his Department that hold posts (details supplied). [37272/17]

Departmental Banking

Pearse Doherty

1708. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the cost his Department incurred in each of the past five years due to debit and credit card payment services and banking fees; the financial institutions to which the payments were made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37273/17]

Living Wage

Niall Collins

1709. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the cost of implementing a living wage of €11.70 for all persons directly employed or in agencies funded by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37274/17]

Living Wage

Niall Collins

1710. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the cost of implementing a living wage of €11.70 for all employees directly employed or in agencies funded by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37275/17]

Action Plan for Rural Development

Martin Heydon

1711. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the supports available from his Department for owners of buildings in regional and rural towns in which the full building is not being used for commercial or residential purposes and could be used for housing if the upper stories of the building could be renovated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37276/17]

CLÁR Programme

Carol Nolan

1712. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the allocation to the CLÁR programme in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017; the number of projects funded each year under the programme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37277/17]

Action Plan for Rural Development Funding

Carol Nolan

1713. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding allocation to the rural renovation scheme; the number of projects funded under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37278/17]

Departmental Functions

Carol Nolan

1714. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the date the transfer order pertaining to the functions of his Department will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37279/17]

CLÁR Programme

Carol Nolan

1715. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of applications made per county to the CLÁR programme; the number of local authorities that have written seeking additional funding; the amount of funding granted by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37280/17]

Town and Village Renewal Scheme

Carol Nolan

1716. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the projects funded under the town and village scheme, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37281/17]

Town and Village Renewal Scheme

Carol Nolan

1717. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of applications received under the town and village renewal scheme; the amount of funding sought; the number that received funding for 2016, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37282/17]

Rural Recreation Scheme

Carol Nolan

1718. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of applications and the amount of funding sought under the rural recreation scheme; the number of projects refused funding under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37283/17]

Rural Recreation Scheme

Carol Nolan

1719. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of applications for funding under the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37284/17]

Western Development Commission Funding

Carol Nolan

1720. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the level of State funding to the Western Development Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37285/17]

CLÁR Programme

Éamon Ó Cuív

1721. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of money paid by his Department for town and village renewal and under the CLÁR programme. respectively, by county, towards the close of 2016 for work to be done in 2017; the amount of expenditure that has been incurred to date in each county in respect of the money allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37286/17]

Departmental Expenditure

Éamon Ó Cuív

1722. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to ensure the full spend of all funding provided to his Department for 2017 including carry-over of capital from 2016 and prepayments to local authorities made in 2016 or 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37288/17]

CLÁR Programme

Éamon Ó Cuív

1723. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the further schemes he plans on rolling out under the CLÁR scheme in 2017; if this will include a local improvement scheme element; if so, whether there will be co-funding from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport for such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37289/17]

Departmental Expenditure

Éamon Ó Cuív

1724. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to ensure the full spend of funds transferred to his Department in 2017 under transfer of functions orders including the completion of works for which funding was prepaid to local authorities in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37290/17]

Departmental Functions

Éamon Ó Cuív

1725. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the functions transferred to his Department from the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and other Departments since the passing of the legislation enabling the setting up of his Department; the funding that has been transferred to date to his department; the number, grade and location of all staff working for his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37291/17]

Leader Programmes Funding

Michael Healy-Rae

1726. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the reason Leader funding is not disbursed in a timely manner; the amount of funding sought by groups in County Kerry to date in 2017; the amount allocated to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37543/17]

Community Development Initiatives

Seán Sherlock

1727. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the clubs and organisations approved in each county and local authority area for funding under the community facilities scheme 2017; and the amounts that were approved. [37756/17]

Community Banking

Joan Burton

1728. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if his attention has been drawn to recent publicity regarding an organisation's (details supplied) work here on the establishment of a public banking network; if the organisation invited officials from the Department for Finance and his Department to participate in a field trip to Germany to examine the public banking network there; the technical assistance the organisation offered the Government in respect of the establishment of a public banking network here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37768/17]

Community Banking

Joan Burton

1729. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the public banking investigation will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37769/17]

Departmental Data

Éamon Ó Cuív

1730. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the location of the headquarters of his Department; the number of civil servants based there; the number of civil servants based in each other location that his Department has an office; the town each one of these offices is located in; the reason that the headquarters of his Department are not located in a rural area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37869/17]

Local Improvement Scheme Administration

Niamh Smyth

1731. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the position regarding the local improvement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37908/17]

Local Improvement Scheme Administration

Thomas Pringle

1732. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the reason a short timeframe was given to local authorities to assess the level of demand for the local improvement scheme (details supplied); if he has given consideration to extending the timeframe for same in view of the fact that demand will have risen significantly and therefore persons and local representatives will need sufficient time to process applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37965/17]

Community Banking

Willie Penrose

1733. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the public banking investigation will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37976/17]

Brexit Staff

Joan Burton

1734. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there is a senior official with designated responsibility for Brexit matters in his Department; if so, the grade of the designated official; the funding allocated to the Brexit unit; the cost to date; the anticipated cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37998/17]

Brexit Staff

Joan Burton

1735. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of staff deployed full time in his Department in respect of Brexit; if there is a designated section or unit to deal with Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38014/17]

Community Banking

Joan Burton

1736. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if his attention has been drawn to recent publicity on an organisation's (details supplied) work here regarding the establishment of a public banking network; if the organisation invited officials from the Department of Finance and his Department to participate in a field trip to Germany to examine the public banking network there; the technical assistance the organisation offered the Government in respect of the establishment of a public banking network here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38100/17]

Community Banking

Joan Burton

1737. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the public banking investigation will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38101/17]

Action Plan for Rural Development Expenditure

Niall Collins

1738. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will provide a breakdown of all moneys expended by his Department in promoting and launching the Action Plan for Rural Development; the costs associated with advertising, design work, photography, event staging and venue hire; the cost of creating the website and maintenance costs for the year, in tabular form; his Department’s budgetary allocation for promotional activities in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38302/17]

Local Improvement Scheme Administration

Pat the Cope Gallagher

1739. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the timeframe for implementing the newly announced local improvement scheme, LIS; the timeframe for grant approvals; the date for works completion by the local authority; the national budget for the LIS programme for 2017; the ratio mechanism for dividing the budget by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38339/17]

Local Improvement Scheme Administration

Dara Calleary

1740. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will extend the 14 September 2017 deadline for submission of potential projects for funding under the new local improvement scheme, LIS, scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38344/17]

Leader Programmes Data

Dara Calleary

1741. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of Leader applications received via Leader companies by month in 2016 and for the first six months of 2017, by company; the number of these applications that were ineligible; the combined monthly value of applications submitted for each company; the number of these applications that have been sanctioned for payment which have been paid; the number of these applications that have been sanctioned for payment which have not been paid; the time of payment delay in each case of sanctioned application that has not been paid; the reasons for the delay in drawing down Leader funding in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38345/17]