Vol. 647 No. 2
6 D’fhiafraigh Deputy Michael D. Higgins den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil se sásta go bhfuil go leor aistritheoirí Béarla-Gaeilge, teangacha eile Eorpacha-Gaeilge agus go leor ateangairí Béarla-Gaeilge, teangacha eile Eorpacha-Gaeilge atá ar caighdeán sách maith ar fáil chun an t-éileamh atá anois ann in Éirinn agus san Eoraip a shásamh; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina leith. [5599/08]
Mar atá mínithe agam sa Teach seo cheana, tá ciste ar leith bunaithe agam chun maoiniú a chur ar fáil do shain-chúrsaí tríú leibhéal trí Ghaeilge. Tá an togra seo curtha ar bun le líon na ndaoine le scileanna ar leith a mhéadú i gcomhthéacs na riachtanas atá ann ag éirí as Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla agus ón stádas atá tugtha don Ghaeilge mar theanga oifigiúil oibre de chuid an Aontais Eorpaigh. I measc na gcúrsaí atá á maoiniú faoin dtogra seo, tá cúrsaí maidir le haistriúcháin agus ateangaireacht. Ní mór dom a lua freisin go bhfuil maoiniú curtha ar fáil chun cuidiú le roinnt mac léinn atá líofa sa Ghaeilge freastal a dhéanamh ar chúrsa de chuid Ollscoil Westminster atá dírithe go sonrach ar ateangairí. Maidir le hateangaireacht, leanfaidh mo Roinn leis an gcomhoibriú atá ar bun le hinstitiúid an Aontais Eorpaigh ó thaobh freastal a dhéanamh ar aon riachtanas a aithnítear.
Mar a sheasann cúrsaí faoi láthair, tá oiliúint á chur ar fáil do ateangairí a bheidh ag aistriú idir Gaeilge agus Béarla amháin. Maidir le haistritheoirí a chur ar fáil sa mbaile, mar is eol don Teachta tá Foras na Gaeilge, ar iarratas uaimse, tar éis córas creidiúnaithe a fhorbairt d'aistritheoirí Gaeilge-Béarla ón earnáil phríobháideach. Is é seo an chéad chóras dá leithéid sa tír. Tá an caighdeán cuí bainte amach ag 98 duine a bhfuil a gcuid sonraí ar fáil ar an bpainéal d'aistritheoirí creidiúnaithe atá foilsithe ag Foras na Gaeilge ar a suíomh, www.gaeilge.ie. Is próiseas leanúnach a bheidh sa chóras crediúnaithe seo faoina gcuirfear scrúdú ar aistritheoirí ag tráthanna rialta. Tuigim go mbeidh scrúdú eile á reachtáil ag an bhforas roimh dheireadh na míosa seo.
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht an freagra sin. Dar ndóigh, tá rudaí idir lámha. I dtuarascáil nuachta a léigh mé i mí na Samhna seo caite, dúirt an Aire Gnóthaí Eachtracha go bhfuil fadhb ann teacht ar aistritheoirí a bhfuil an cumas acu doiciméid dlíthiúla na hAontais Eorpach a aistriú isteach i nGaeilge. Tuaraiscíodh ag an am go bhfuil aistritheoirí ón Oireachtas i mbun na hoibre sin. Tá an cumas acu an obair sin a dhéanamh, dar ndóigh. Tá jab eile le déanamh acu, áfach, agus ba cheart go mbeidís in ann é a dhéanamh. Tá gá ann cur le úsáid na Gaeilge san Oireachtas, rud a dhéanann an oifig sin, dar ndóigh.
An bhfuil aon feabhas tagtha ar an scéal maidir leis na doiciméid ar a labhair an Aire Gnóthaí Eachtracha? Más rud é nach bhfuil feabhas tagtha ar an scéal, caithin a thiocfaidh feabhas ar an scéal? Nuair a bhí Coimisinéir Ilteangachas na hAontais Eorpach, Leonard Orban, sa tír seo roimh an Nollaig, an raibh an Aire ag caint leis? An bhfuil an gcoimisinéir sásta leis an cumas aistriúcháin atá ar fáil sa tír seo? An gceapann sé go bhfuil an chóras ceart againn ó thaobh an Ghaeilge a bheith ina theanga oifigiúil ag an Aontas Eorpach?
Tá mé sásta go bhfuil na riachtanaisí á chomhlíonadh againn. Ar ndóigh, ní mór dúinn infheistíocht fad-téarmach a dhéanamh sa chás seo. Tá mé ag obair le Óstaí an Rí faoi láthair chun cúrsa céime d'abhcóidí a chuir ar fáil. Más féidir, tosnóidh an chúrsa sa bhfómhar i mbliana. Muna n-éiríonn linn an sprioc sin a bhaint amach, tosnóimid é i 2009. Cuireadh dianchúrsa téarmaíochta dlí agus gramadach Gaeilge ar fáil i 2007. Beidh sé sin ann arís i mbliana.
Go ghinearálta, tá mé sásta lenár gcomhoibriú leis an Aontas atá freagrach as cúrsaí Ghaeilge san Aontas. Tá ag éirí linn na constaicí a bhí ann a shárú. Is dóigh liom go bhfuil áibhéil á dhéanamh maidir leis na fadhbanna. Bhí a fhios againn i gcónaí go mbeadh fadhbanna ann. Go deimhin fhéin, luaigh mé cúrsaí foirne, srl. nuair a bhí gach páirtí sa Teach seo ag iarraidh go mbeadh an stádas seo ag an teanga. Dúirt Teachtaí nach mbeadh fadhb ar bith i gceist, ach bhí a fhios agam go mbeadh beagáinín d'fhadhb. Níl an fadhb seo dosháraithe. Tá ag eirí linn déileáil le seo. Beidh áthas ar an Teachta a chloisteáil go bhfuil mé ag dul go dtí an Bhruiséil tráthnóna inniu. Tá comhdháil ar ilteangachas ar bun sa mBruiséil amárach. Tá sé socraithe agam cruinniú a bheith agam leis an gCoimisinéir Orban chun na ceiste seo a phlé. Má tá tuilleadh cúnamh gur féidir linn a thabhairt, tabharfar é.
Níor fhreagair an Aire an cheist mar gheall ar an gcruinniú a bhí aige leis an gcoimisinéir roimh an Nollaig.
Ní raibh mé ag caint leis an uair sin.
An uair deiridh ina raibh an Aire ag caint leis——
Níor chas mé leis an bhfear riamh.
Bhí sé anseo. Bhuail mise leis. Is dóigh liom go raibh Teachtaí eile ann. De réir mar a chuimhním é, ní raibh sé sásta le cúrsaí. An bhfuil an eolas sin ag an Aire?
No. Tá míthuiscint anseo. Ní dóigh liom, ón dtuairisc a bhfuair mé ó oifigigh na Roinne agus, ar ndóigh, ón Aire Stáít, a chas leis freisin — ní raibh mé ar fáil ar an lá — go ndúirt an Coimisinéir Orban go raibh sé míshásta. An rud a tharla, agus a tharraing an phoiblíocht, ná gur——
Dúirt sé go raibh sé míshásta. Chuir sé fáilte roimh an cinneadh a thug stádas oifigiúil don dteanga, ach dúirt sé nach gceapann sé go bhfuil go leor oibrithe ann chun gach rud a chuir in áit. Is é sin an rud atá á rá agam. An raibh a fhios ag an Aire go raibh an coimisinéir ag caint mar sin?
Tá sé breá sásta go bhfuil an Rialtas ag déanamh gach rud gur féidir leis. Caithfidh an Aontas breathnú amach ar an cúram seo. Ní féidir linn ach cúnamh a thabhairt. Tá an Coimisinéir Orban sásta go bhfuilimid ag tabhairt gach uile cúnamh. Léigh mé rudaí sna páipéir faoi na notaí a tugadh dó a tharraing go leor cainte. Is cosúil go raibh gach sórt ón gcaighdeán anuas sna páipéirí sin. Níl aon fhadhb leis an gcaighdeán mar níl ach caighdeán amháin ann. Nil aon mhíthuiscint faoi sin; níl ach caighdeán amháin sa tír. Muna dtaitníonn an caighdeán le daoine — ní thaitníonn cuid de liomsa, ach sin scéal eile — caithfidh siad glacadh leis gurb é an chaighdeán, mar an gcéanna leis an Béarla.
Sular tháinig an Coimisinéir Orban riamh in aice na tíre seo, bhí socrú déanta agam le Foras na Gaeilge go ndéanfaí athbhreathnú ar an gcaighdeán agus go dtabharfaí suas chun dáta é. Tá an obair sin á eagrú ag Foras na Gaeilge anois. Sílim gur rud é gur cheart dúinn a dhéanamh, ar mhaithe linn féin. Bhí sé sin sa treis i bhfad sular tháinig an Coimisinéir anseo.
7 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if analysis has been completed on the cost of volunteering in Ireland, the training of such volunteers, insurance costs, the retention factor of volunteers and the recruiting of volunteers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5558/08]
The report of the task force on active citizenship, which was completed last year, provides research indicators on trends in volunteering over recent years. In comparing the 2002 and 2006 surveys carried out by the ESRI, the report notes that participation in volunteering among Irish people increased from 17% in 2002 to 23% in 2006. Active community involvement is also up from 22% to 29% in the same period. My Department supports a number of organisations that carry out ongoing research and analysis on the volunteer sector in Ireland, such as Volunteer Centres Ireland. Moreover, my Department provides a range of supports for volunteer organisations, including in the area of recruitment, training and core administration costs.
Support for volunteering has steadily increased since a number of measures, amounting to almost €2 million, were announced by my Department in March 2005. Following on from this package of measures, my Department has continued to fund a range of initiatives in this area, including providing financial support for the establishment of 16 volunteer centres throughout the country with further centres anticipated in the near future. In the Towards 2016 partnership agreement the Government underlined its commitment to further develop policy in support of volunteering, informed by the recommendations of the task force on active citizenship. The agreement also provided for increased funding of €5 million per annum to support volunteering and this Department is in consultation with a range of stakeholders to ensure the funding is channelled into best practice activities designed to further support volunteerism in Ireland.
Volunteer Centres Ireland, with the support of this Department, recently established a national database of statistics and opportunities relating to volunteering in Ireland. This initiative will assist in identifying trends and issues relating to volunteering retention and training needs. I am mindful of the need to periodically review and update the value of the volunteer sector within our communities, and officials in my Department are giving consideration to this matter.
The Ceann Comhairle refused to allow a question I put on reports the Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs commissioned. I cannot see why the Minister and the committee do not interact on such reports.
The Deputy should raise this with the Ceann Comhairle directly.
I was disappointed because many of my questions are based on drugs and the reports from the committee are relevant. If the Government does not act on these reports one must wonder about the value of the committee.
I raised this matter with regard to volunteers on the basis of a committee report. All of the major groups including Alone, Aware, the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, Glencree, Feis Ceoil, Muintir na Tíre, the Irish Rugby Football Association, the Red Cross and GOAL stated they have major problems with recruiting volunteers. Despite this, the ERSI report states volunteer numbers are increasing.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul stated its volunteer numbers decreased from 24,000 to 8,000. Where are the volunteers mentioned in the ESRI report? Aware has stated that maintaining volunteer commitment was a major concern. Feis Ceoil sought volunteers with skills in specialist areas rather than being approached. However, it found it challenging to find young volunteers. Glencree reported problems of obtaining visas for volunteers. The Alzheimer Society of Ireland stated the number of volunteers in its organisation had decreased from 500 to 200.
According to the Oireachtas committee's report all of the numbers are falling. What is the difference between this and the ESRI report? People tell me it is hard to find volunteers and this is verified in the committee's report but not in the ESRI report.
Part of the issue is due to the fact that a vast range of voluntary organisations are now in existence. Some of them are much smaller than the large organisations which existed in years gone by. I was in the Leas-Cheann Comhairle's county town last Friday, when I also visited Carlow and Kilkenny. I met with nine organisations during the course of the day and every one of them were driven by volunteers. I see this everywhere.
I take the point that some organisations find it difficult to retain volunteers. I happened to be in Tralee, County Kerry approximately three weeks ago. I was highly impressed by the pro-active approach the centre there takes to supporting organisations. The volunteer centres I mentioned in my reply will be built on during this year and next year with an additional 12 centres. These are county-based centres and are linked closely to county development boards and other organisations linked to local authorities.
I am confident we will be able to increase the level of voluntary involvement and, more importantly, through support and training will be able to retain volunteers. Part of the problem is that without training many volunteers got burnt out because they are asked to do anything and everything. With the identification of specific tasks for volunteers they are likely to stay in the organisation for a lot longer.
The Irish Rugby Football Union claims there will be a missed generation of voluntary administrators. It lists various factors including longer working hours, fewer public holidays than in Europe, increased commuting times and more expensive housing and education. The largest factor is the litigation problem facing many volunteers. Does the Minister of State agree these are problems for clubs seeking volunteers?
It is quite simple why people are not volunteering — they are afraid of being sued. Does the Minister of State propose to introduce legislation to protect volunteers from being sued? If a volunteer takes children to a football match on a Saturday or the zoo and an accident happens, the volunteer can be held personally responsible for it. That is one reason that many voluntary groups cannot get individuals involved.
I am not sure legislative measures are needed. Among the supports volunteer centres provide are advice on issues such as adequate insurance and governance. We wondered if the vetting of volunteers would have reduced their numbers but it has not. A structure is being put in place to assist the volunteer centres and the organisations which will support the retention of volunteers. If legislative measures are necessary, then they can be examined but I have no immediate proposals to introduce such measures.
8 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the Irish language organisations which received funding from his Department in 2007; the amount in each case; the purpose of the grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5595/08]
I assume the Deputy's parliamentary question refers to voluntary Irish language organisations rather than to funding of the public bodies, Foras na Gaeilge, which includes the functions of the former Bord na Leabhar Gaeilge since 1 January 2008, and Údarás na Gaeltachta, that come under my Department's remit, or to other public bodies.
Funding is provided under my Department's Ciste na Gaeilge to various Irish language organisations and groups, as well as for specific language projects to foster, promote and encourage the use of the Irish language. The grants are aimed primarily at groups or organisations that are operating outside Gaeltacht areas.
In recent years, four sub-funds were launched within the Ciste, namely the fund for Irish courses in third level institutions abroad; the business fund, which covers organisations such as Gael Taca, Gaillimh le Gaeilge and Gnó Mhaigh Eo; the placenames research fund to provide bursaries to postgraduate students who select placenames as a subject for research; and the fund for the provision of Irish language DVDs for children.
Funding is also provided in Gaeltacht areas to Irish language and other community-based organisations that work to sustain and promote the use of the Irish language through their activities. These activities include language planning, recreational and sporting activities, language assistance and home visitation schemes, cultural activities and summer camps.
I have set out in a table, which will be circulated in the Official Report, details of the voluntary Irish language organisations that received funding from Ciste na Gaeilge and under these Gaeltacht schemes in 2007.
It is also open to voluntary Irish language organisations to apply for assistance under other grant schemes operated by my Department to provide support for organisations in the community and voluntary sector. The bulk of funding for Irish language organisations at national level is provided by Foras na Gaeilge, rather than directly by my Department.
|
Organisation |
Amount |
Purpose |
|
€ |
||
|
A. Ciste na Gaeilge |
||
|
Gaillimh le Gaeilge |
225,750 |
Annual funding is provided to Gaillimh le Gaeilge to promote the Irish language, particularly as an economic resource, in the Galway area. They work in association with Galway City Council, Galway Chamber of Commerce and other groups to develop Galway’s unique Irish image and promote Galway city as the Bilingual Capital of Ireland. |
|
Gael-Taca |
81,590 |
Annual funding is provided to Gael-Taca to enable it to market the Irish language in Cork City and County areas thus creating a greater awareness of the language. |
|
Gnó Mhaigh Eo |
155,965 |
Annual funding is provided to Gaeilge Mhaigh Eo to promote Irish in the business sector and in towns throughout Mayo. |
|
Conradh na Gaeilge, Luimneach |
214,226 |
Capital funding was provided to enable Conradh na Gaeilge to carry out necessary structural and restoration work on Áras Íde, Limerick, which is the city’s Irish language centre for many years. |
|
Glór na nGael |
40,000 |
This grant — “Duais an Aire” is provided to the winners of a national competition organised by Glór na nGael to promote the Irish Language. |
|
Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe |
480,000 |
Annual funding is provided to The Taibhdhearc to enable it to carry out its programme of work in relation to promoting Irish drama. |
|
B. Gaeltacht Organisations |
||
|
Gaelachas Teo |
21,861.00 |
Grant for pupils in Scoil na nÓg, Gleann Maighir for 2006/07 school year |
|
Eagraíocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta |
90,200.00 |
Establish the office and employ Chief Executive |
|
Oideas Gael |
98,750.00 |
Administration and Development Grant |
|
Gaeil Uladh |
257,335.00 |
Administration and employing language Assistance for Gaeltacht schools |
|
Áisleann Chill Chartha Teo |
45,348.00 |
Thír Chonaill Music Workshop |
|
Coiste Céim Aniar |
80,000.00 |
Language planning |
|
Comharchumann Forbartha Ghaoth Dobhair |
96,000.00 |
Language planning |
|
CLG Ghaoth Dobhair |
70,000.00 |
Hurling and Football training scheme |
|
Lár Chomh. Par. Ghleann Cholm Cille |
20,000.00 |
Language planning |
|
Comhlacht Forbartha Áitiúil Acla |
4,252.00 |
Assistance to organise activities through Irish for pupils during after school hours |
|
Comhairle Chonnachta |
70,000.00 |
Hurling and Football training scheme |
|
An Gaelacadamh |
162,694.10 |
Administration and employment of music and dance Teachers |
|
Muintearas Gaillimh |
66,673.03 |
Administration of home visitation scheme |
|
Cumas Teo |
322,028.22 |
Language Assistance, administrative costs, administering and providing sports services |
|
Comharchumann Shailearna |
188,500.00 |
Language Planning |
|
Comharchumann Forbartha Inis Mór |
36,000.00 |
Language Planning |
|
Comharchumann Dhúiche Sheoigheach |
5,566.00 |
Language Planning |
|
Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne |
403,315.50 |
Administering the language assistance scheme, home visitation scheme and other activities |
|
Comhchoiste Gaeltachta Chiarraí Theas |
35,416.00 |
Heritage Officer and Irish tutor |
|
Cáirde Choláiste Íde Teo |
93,750.00 |
Management Costs |
|
Scoil na Leanaí Coláiste na Rinne |
31,132.50 |
Boarding Pupils |
|
CLG Rinn Ó gCuanach |
20,000.00 |
Language Planning |
|
Comharchumann Rath Cairn |
55,000.00 |
Language Planning |
What percentage of these funds went to the Minister's Galway West constituency? Were any moneys allocated to the Waterford constituency?
Is the Minister satisfied a substantial dividend for the Irish language is being developed and it is used more because of this funding?
Am I glad we are getting parochial today?
The Minister is good at it.
I run my schemes in an objective manner.
An organisation in my constituency applied for moneys from the Ciste and received them. Under the scheme, if an organisation comes up with €1, it will receive €4, as long as it has a suitable business plan. It is done on an open competition basis and is disbursed on that basis.
No moneys went to Waterford but I understand no application was received from there. It is like the national lottery — if one does not buy the ticket, one cannot win the award.
Half of the Irish-speaking population lives in the Galway Gaeltacht and that is why it gets more moneys than the Waterford Gaeltacht, one of the smallest. Even if Deputy O'Shea were Minister, he would have to recognise this reality and could not make it that Waterford received more than Galway.
The Minister referred to a wide range of activities funded by his Department, directly and indirectly. Do Irish language publications come under the remit of his Department? Lá Nua, a daily newspaper with a cross-Border dimension, is in danger of going out of business due to lack of funding. It would be a pity to see a páipéar laethúil Gaeilge ag imeacht uainn. An bhfuil aon rud gur féidir leis an Aire nó Foras na Gaeilge a dhéanamh to ensure the continuation of this particular newspaper that is read in every part of the country, particularly Gaeltacht areas and on both sides of the Border?
Bord na Leabhar Gaeilge subsidises and assisted with the publication of books in Irish. On 1 January 2008, funding and responsibility for that matter was transferred to Foras na Gaeilge. The bord was established in the 1950s when there was no Foras na Gaeilge. As the Opposition rightly states, we should also examine if we have too many agencies, boards, groups, head offices and so on. This is one case where some North-South synergy makes some sense, although it is only being funded from the South, and giving Foras na Gaeilge responsibility for that.
I have seen much commentary on Lá Nua. Foras na Gaeilge provided funding for the newspaper after a tender competition. If a tender winner cannot comply with the terms of the contract signed, to get more money without a new competition would give a legitimate grievance to those parties who failed to win the competition that the terms had changed.
It is not a question of Foras na Gaeilge being mean but of good practice. If Lá Nua cannot continue to publish according to the contract with Foras na Gaeilge, Foras na Gaeilge has no option to declare the contract cannot be fulfilled. There was mention of publishing it on the Internet but publishing in paper form was what the original contract demanded.
Will the Minister agree there is as much an onus on him and the relevant agencies to give assistance to Irish language-users outside the Gaeltacht areas? In south Kildare alone there are four gaelscoileanna. Many parents sending their children to these schools need assistance in using the Irish language. Many of them inform me they feel isolated in this regard and are solely dependent on the teacher with regard to, say, homework through Irish. What can be done to alleviate the concerns about moving this forward?
I concur with the Deputy. I do not believe Irish would survive outside the Gaeltacht if the Gaeltacht did not exist, but I also believe, as I have said time and again, that the Gaeltacht could not survive if Irish was not spoken in the rest of the country. I do not see them as being separate and the conditions as different. I have said many times that outside the Gaeltacht, the gaelscoil should be the nucleus of a community of Irish speakers. One of the things that held us up in the past five years was that when Foras na Gaeilge was set up we thought we would see five years of growth and expansion. However, we know what happened; it is history now. Direct rule was reinstituted and everything was put in care and maintenance and mothballed.
The primary responsibility for delivery of policies to do with Irish outside the Gaeltacht is devolved to Foras. I recently had a meeting with the newly appointed chairperson of Foras, Liam Ó Maoilmhichil, and one of the things I emphasised to him was the importance of using the gaelscoil as a nucleus around which a community of people interested in Irish could be built. I have no doubt that when we come to develop our 20-year strategy, each gaelscoil will form a kernel. It would not be that the strategy would be exclusive to people attending these schools, but they would be little nodes out of which we could grow the language. This is a vital methodology for the future.
9 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if a local authority has sought funding for the provision of initiating community garden allotment schemes within its authority; his views on such applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5574/08]
I am informed that this is a matter for local authorities in accordance with their responsibilities under section 67 of the Local Government Act 2001. I have no plans to initiate any scheme or programme in this regard. However, as always, where possible, I am prepared to consider the use of my Department's programmes and schemes to provide appropriate support to initiatives taken by lead Departments or agencies to support communities.
At present, projects of this type identified locally within RAPID areas by the area implementation team can qualify for co-funding under the housing estate enhancement leverage scheme operated by my Department, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, and the local authorities.
This is one that got through the net because I received word from the Ceann Comhairle that it had been refused, so it is great to see it on the clár. I greatly appreciate the Minister's reply, especially with regard to RAPID areas because this question relates to a group within a RAPID area. A local support group is seeking to develop a site as a garden for the children of the members who visited the House in the last fortnight. They are willing to do this. Is the Minister saying that if we obtain permission from the local authority, funding will be available through the RAPID programme?
I can be specific here. Athy was allocated funding for a community garden under the 2007-08 housing estate enhancement scheme, but no funding has yet been drawn down. The new physical environment improvement scheme, under the physical environment strategic theme, will include provision for community gardens. The draft terms provide for that.
I will follow it up.
I do not want to be pernickety but we do not have a scheme.
I understand that.
We do have the funding, however, and under the leverage schemes we are willing to co-fund the project. Theoretically it is the local authority which deals with such projects, but I fully support the scheme.
I will get more information. I am delighted this question got through the net.
Good news.
10 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the delivery of the new Leader and social inclusion programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5451/08]
19 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the new Leader programme; when it will be announced; the funding that has been put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5457/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 19 together.
I hope to be in a position shortly to commence the process of selecting local action groups to deliver the Leader element of the Rural Development Programme Ireland 2007-2013. The funding available for the delivery of Leader-type activities under the programme will amount to €425.4 million, almost treble the €150 million available for the 2000 to 2006 period. The new programme will complement the other funding for rural development measures by my Department.
The National Development Plan 2007-2013 commits €49.6 billion to social inclusion, including €417 million for the local development and social inclusion programme, LDSIP. The 2008 voted allocation for the LDSIP is €57.44 million. Transitional arrangements are in place for 2008 to enable the new integrated structures and partnerships to extend their areas of coverage and embed their operations. A value for money review of the programme is being concluded. I intend to use the findings from this review to shape the future programme.
Deputies will be aware that my Department in recent years has been pursuing a process of cohesion in local delivery structures to simplify and enhance the effectiveness of the delivery of a range of local development programmes. Following extensive consultations with and among local agencies to develop the most suitable group configurations, in the course of 2007 the Government decided on revised areas of coverage for local development groups and clarified the arrangements for board membership of these bodies. Leader and partnership groups have been asked to give effect to these decisions and my Department has provided detailed guidelines to secure this outcome. The realignment of local delivery structures will reduce the overall number of local development bodies from 94 to 55, comprising 17 partnerships in urban areas and 38 integrated Leader-partnership bodies in rural areas.
I intend to have the cohesion process completed in advance of the roll-out of the NDP programmes, including the Leader programme and the LDSIP. At this stage, local development bodies are in place in 50 of the 55 operational areas agreed by Government. The representative networks of Leader and partnership groups, whom I met on 31 January, have assured me they are fully behind the Government's policy on cohesion and will endeavour to ensure local delivery structures are in place across the full 55 areas in the coming weeks.
In one case, a Leader group made a complaint to the European Commission regarding the Leader element of the Rural Development Programme Ireland 2007-2013, and in particular the cohesion process. I am satisfied our approach in this area is fully consistent with European regulations. My Department is monitoring the position closely.
I tabled this question because there is great concern among Leader groups. They want the announcement immediately. They want to know the rules and regulations and the level of funding. Thousands of people throughout the country are waiting to see what the new Leader programme will bring and how they can apply for it.
Does the Minister have plans to downsize and amalgamate some of the Leader groups rather than having two or three in some areas? When will we have a definite date for the announcement? People want to know. What are the Leader groups doing now? The previous programme is finished and the funding has run out. There is no point in having people sitting in offices when there are people who want to apply for grant aid. The Leader programme has worked and I support the Minister's efforts in this area. We now want to know when the new programme will be rolled out.
It is difficult to give an absolute deadline. The Deputy would not like me to run off and roll it out before the new structures are in place and the companies are ready. I am ready if they are ready, but I do not think they are quite ready yet. In the Deputy's county they are coming close to being ready at last. I have said many times that we need to get on with the job and allocate the funds. The only good thing is that the funds are available. Even if we lose a month or two at the beginning, it will still be €425.4 million in the end. That is one consolation. I have tried to be as patient as possible because I understand the changes that are taking place. I have stirred a few hornets' nests, perhaps, where people had got into comfortable positions. People are familiar with what they know.
On the matter of the number of companies, once this process is over, that is it. We have no intention of going any further. In the Deputy's county it is a question of having either two or three companies. My gut feeling would be that two is better. It is a big county, so one would not be enough. I sometimes look over the border into County Mayo and think it is a fine county but I am not sure I would like to represent it in the Dáil because it is colossal, extending from the border at Headford to the far end at Fód Dubh. However, those involved in Mayo wanted three companies and I felt I would bow to local wishes if that was what they really wanted, so I went along with it. I do not intend to get caught between two and three. I also mentioned that one Leader company wrote to the European Commission and raised the issues. The Commission wrote to us and we replied. We are satisfied that we are within the regulation. The Commission wrote back to the Leader company, which has the opportunity to reply to our reply. It would be very unfair of me, to put it mildly, if I did not give it every opportunity to state its case if it thinks it has one. I will do my best to deal with the issues it raised and issues the EU might raise. I am confident the EU believes we are totally within the regulation.
It is gratifying to hear that local opinion is so impressive in Mayo.
The Minister accepts that Europe sometimes takes a long time to make decisions. It is like writing to Departments. I sent a letter to the Department of Education and Science last November and had to put down a question in the Dáil this week to get the reply. After getting the reply, the details were supplied to the person. I was lucky in that the Secretary General of the Department was involved but I will keep that Department so busy next week, the next time I put down a question, it will answer me. I will spend all Sunday preparing Dáil questions for it.
The Minister may have to make political decisions in respect of the Leader programme, be they two, three or one. He should make those decisions and get the programme up and running. I ask him to try to get it up and running as quickly as possible. He cannot wait for Europe, although I know he must. It is their money. One group cannot hold up the entire country. I ask the Minister to try to roll out the programme as quickly as possible.
I have a brief question as I am conscious of the next question. Will MFG remain responsible for the administration of these matters in Gaeltacht affairs?
MFG will remain responsible for the roll-out of the programme in Gaeltacht areas. The small section of Achill that is not included in the Gaeltacht is also included. There will be a Leader partnership for the islands. So, beidh Árann Mór agus Tóraí faoi chomhréim le na hoileáin.
To go back to Deputy Ring's question, I assure him that I will go there as quickly as possible but a little bit of patience, as any good fisherman knows, can save one a considerable amount of time in the end when one is trying to land a big fish. We are happy that everything we have done steadily, peacefully and through getting agreement is within the European guidelines. We are very near home and intend ensuring that we get there safely.
The representative group, PLANET, and the core Leader and the community representative groups have been very helpful. Many issues have arisen. Most of the companies have or are being formed so we are nearly there. In respect of the complaint to the EU, that has been replied to in full. It will get an opportunity to comment on that. It would be churlish of me not to wait 28 days to see whether the Cavan-Monaghan Leader company, which is the company involved, has any other questions. Process is important here.
My question is very brief as time is against us. Will the Minister give us a brief indication as to how the compensation of livelihoods will be facilitated through the Leader funding and the fishermen in respect of the hardship fund? I know there will be a slight overlap. From speaking to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, I know that there will be an emphasis on the coastal communities. Could the Minister enlighten us?
A total of €5 million has been provided. It will be paid for out of the Vote of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources but will be dispersed by the Leader companies. We will make an announcement about that in the near future and it will be based on a Leader-type model. Basically, the eligibility criteria will be based on those used in the Leader programme.
How much is involved?
Cúig mhilliún ar fad atá ann. It will be divided in as fair and transparent way as possible between the different fishery areas through the Leader companies. The work is nearly completed and the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and I will make an announcement in the near future.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
