Vol. 1037 No. 1
52. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on how her Department is implementing the published guidelines on rural proofing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19544/23]
Will the Minister provide an update on how the Department is implementing the published guidelines on rural proofing and will she make a statement on the matter?
Our Rural Future is the most ambitious and transformational policy for rural development in Ireland for decades. It commits to developing an effective rural-proofing model to ensure the effects of significant new proposals on rural communities are fully considered, and better target the particular challenges and opportunities facing them.
To advance this measure, my officials commissioned a research report on rural proofing, which was published in January. It outlines options that could be applied in the Irish context and assesses the merits and potential barriers to their implementation. The report makes clear that all the international evidence in respect of rural proofing is that no one-size-fits-all approach can be quickly and successfully implemented. This international experience is an important factor in shaping our approach to rural proofing and I was happy to have recently met with Lord Benyon, Minister of State for Biosecurity, Marine and Rural Affairs to discuss the experience of implementing a rural proofing approach in the United Kingdom. Informed by the conclusions of the report, my Department is developing a nationally applicable rural proofing approach by first applying rural proofing concepts to a number of pilot test initiatives. As part of this approach, my officials have engaged with a number of key Departments. Officials are now working with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media on rural proofing and the development of the new sustainable tourism policy. Similarly, work is also under way on the development of the new national hubs strategy. The incorporation of the rural perspective is a key part of this work. To further progress the pilot approach, I have asked my officials to engage with colleagues in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage regarding their ongoing work on the national planning framework.
My officials will continue to progress work in this area to ensure that our approach to rural proofing incorporates an appropriate rural lens, is sustainable over the longer term and adds value.
This is something that Deputy Kerrane has raised over some time. It is good to hear the range of consultations that the Minister has undertaken on how this will be implemented and that different Departments have been consulted on the implementation. How long will it take to come up with the final strategy?
We published a consultant's report on the Department website in January. Rural proofing has been seen to be a complex issue internationally and no country is considered to have been fully successful in implementing rural proofing to date. Approaches taken to date can be described as voluntary, compulsory, policy decisions and legislative. The report favours an approach based on option B, which is compulsory approaches through policy decisions but no one-size-fits-all model can be effectively applied to the Irish context; rather a phased pilot approach based on clear consultation is recommended. The report states this will not be achieved instantaneously but through consultation with Departments on the proposed model and a piloted approach backed up with training advice and guidance facilitated centrally by my Department.
The issue is around timelines for implementation. I understand it is a complex issue and, as the Minister explained, many Departments are involved in implementation of the policy. She mentioned compulsory measures. We are concerned about the time taken to come up with the strategy, how that is going to be implemented and what it will look like.
We have identified areas that we want to focus on as part of the pilot. Sustainable tourism is something that has a big impact on rural economies. We have launched the national recreation strategy.
That has huge economic benefits. Let us consider, for example, the benefits of Limerick greenway, the mountain biking trail in the Slieve Bloom Mountains and Mount Congreve Gardens in Waterford. Only last week, I opened a new walkway in Newtownforbes, County Longford.
The national planning framework is another important policy, which is a big influence on balanced regional development, rural housing, remote working, etc. There is a range of different ways through which we can make sure that policies are rural-proofed.
54. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the forthcoming islands strategy; when the strategy will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19545/23]
I ask the Minister provide an update on the forthcoming islands strategy, when the strategy will be published and if she will make a statement on the matter.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Government is committed to publishing an islands policy in line with the programme for Government commitment, as well as commitments made in Our Rural Future. The process of developing the policy has taken longer than I would like. However, I am determined to take the time necessary to get it right. That is no more than our island communities deserve, because it is more than 25 years since the Government last published an islands development policy. I received an initial draft of the policy before Christmas and, since then, officials from my Department have been engaging very intensively with colleagues across all Departments and agencies to tie down firm commitments and agree robust actions to be taken over the next three years.
It goes without saying that any islands policy must be developed in consultation with island communities. As the Deputy will be aware, an extensive public consultation process took place as part of the development of this policy. Since then, officials from my Department have remained in contact with the islands representative body, Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann. They met with them in recent weeks to discuss the draft policy, its strategic objectives, timelines and the next steps in the process. I am pleased that the policy and accompanying action plan is nearing completion and I expect to present it to Government for approval in the coming weeks. This is an issue the Leas-Cheann Comhairle has raised with me on a number of occasions. We are very close to having it finished. Then, it will have to be translated and I will have to bring it to Government.
That will be very welcome. This has been raised on many occasions by Deputy Kerrane, the Leas-Cheann Comhairle and many other Deputies. It will be very welcome to hear that we are at the final stages. There had been a concern that some of the people who have been involved in the process had not really heard much. Again, it is welcome to hear that they have been contacted in the past couple of weeks and that process is now nearing conclusion. What are we talking about in terms of a timeline?
We are talking about a matter of weeks. I want a policy that, when it is launched, can be used to hold other Departments to account. I do not want a pile of flowery language. I have said this previously; I want time-bound actions in order that when Departments say they are going to do something, I will be able to hold them to account.
In fairness, in both my Departments, I have shown a commitment to the islands. I was the first Minister for Social Protection for many years to increase the islands allowance in my first budget. There has been a long-running issue there with roads in County Donegal. I worked with the island community there and with Donegal County Council. The roads on some of the islands have been transformed. If the Deputy gets a chance to go to the lighthouse on Arranmore, the community will tell him the difference that has made.
I have established a special dedicated funding stream, Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais, CLÁR, which is for island communities. This year, I have ring-fenced funding under the local improvement scheme for the islands. We have developed remote working hubs on a number of the islands with funding from my Department. We will continue to improve life on the islands, but the policy is important.
Hopefully, this will be the last time we will see this issue on the agenda. We can look forward to it in the next couple of weeks. I suppose the commitment is that the next time we have questions and answers that the report will be published.
Yes, and I am trying to do my best in my Department. As part of the new policy, I want other Ministers to do the same. I told the Deputy what I have been trying to do. I want to use this policy to hold the other Departments to account. It has to be a whole-of-government policy and that includes housing, health and education. Those are some of the key Departments from which we need strong commitments in this strategy. This will be first islands policy in 26 years, as all Members will be aware. I want to get it right.
As I said, my officials engaged with representatives of Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann. We told them we would bring this Government very shortly. They are happy to see that we are making progress on this. It might take a couple of weeks longer than I had initially thought. I thought I would have it by the end of this month, but it is better to make sure we get it right. We must have an action plan that clearly sets out what we want to achieve, when we are going to achieve it and who is going to do it.
I let the Minister run over time.
I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle.
55. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will outline her engagement with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to improve the provision of housing on offshore islands. [19394/23]
Our offshore islands are not exempt from the housing crisis. In fact, the pressures on housing are distinctly felt by island communities, considering the additional barriers they face. Access to services, the transport of material and even construction workers and tradespeople travelling are all additional obstacles faced by the islands. What has the Minister's engagement been with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage on these issues? What are her plans to help to develop housing for island communities?
I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. As she will be aware, the Government is committed to publishing an islands policy in line with the programme for Government commitment and commitments made in Our Rural Future.
Housing was one of the most pressing issues of concern that was raised by island communities during the public consultation process carried out by my Department. While housing supply and affordability are key issues across the country, many of the factors affecting housing supply are amplified on the islands. These issues are also highlighted in a recent report carried out by a team from UCC, entitled Housing and Sustaining Communities on the West Cork Islands.
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is represented on the interdepartmental committee that has been overseeing the development of the islands policy. In addition, officials from my Department have engaged bilaterally with the Department and the relevant local authorities to agree commitments for the policy and its accompanying action plan. A further meeting is scheduled for later this week. Additionally, my Department arranged a meeting with the authors of the UCC report, Housing and Sustaining Communities on the West Cork Islands, which was also attended by officials from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. I believe this meeting was enlightening and beneficial for all parties and the report's findings are being taken into consideration in the finalisation of the policy.
I am pleased that the islands policy is well advanced and, in that context, I have a meeting scheduled with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, next week to discuss the commitments from his Department. I intend to present the policy to Government for approval in the coming weeks.
I thank the Minister for that update. It is great to hear that she is familiar with the report, Housing and Sustaining Communities on the West Cork Islands, which was produced by UCC research in conjunction with the west Cork islands group. She will, therefore, be aware that the report is unequivocal in its findings and that the lack of affordable, good quality housing is impacting on the ability of the islands to attract newcomers and to retain existing inhabitants and the next generation of islanders. It is clear from the detailed research that the future of island living is under threat because of that. Of particular concern is their finding that young families are being priced out of the existing island housing market. If families with children cannot settle on the islands, the continuity and vibrancy of island life is in doubt. There is a need to ensure that existing housing of older adults is modified so that older residents can remain in their homes for as long as possible on the islands.
I am glad that the Minister will have a meeting with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage next week. I look forward to an update after that.
From my experience, the only way to keep other Departments on their toes is to get concrete commitments from them. I think we are nearly there on this.
As I said, I am going to meet the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage next week to discuss his Department's actions. As housing, planning and water sewerage services are big issues on the islands, we need strong commitments and actions from that Department.
I reiterate that both of my Departments have shown my commitment to the island communities, with the new special funding scheme under CLÁR for islands and ring-fenced funding under the local improvement scheme, which is specifically for the islands. The UCC report on sustainable community and housing on the west Cork islands was very useful. My officials have gone through it in detail and we will take on board some of its recommendations.
I am glad to hear action is being taken and I hope the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage follows through with lively action as a result. The report also has several recommendations on sustaining island life in west Cork and I am sure its findings are applicable to many other island communities. They include a rural settlement scheme aimed specifically at promoting the west Cork islands as places to live full time and improved broadband connectivity, which is crucial given the recent opportunities to work remotely, as well as regular, subsidised ferry crossings. These are all actions we should be looking into. When the west Cork islands group recently presented this research in the audiovisual room and to the Minister and her officials, it showed the incredible challenges the communities face but also their strength and vibrancy. Island life is a culturally unique way of life that needs to be valued and supported. I am glad to hear the Minister is taking actions and just hope they will result in concrete results for island communities.
Even though the report was specific to the west Cork islands, much of the findings are applicable to the majority of our islanders, relating to, for example, the quality of existing housing stock, the lack of availability of houses for sale or rent and the challenges of obtaining planning permission. I have spoken to Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann and all the islands have these challenges, which is why we want to try to address some of them. There are too many holiday homes and too many derelict houses. A lot of points are made in the report.
I have visited Bere Island. It is wonderful what is being done there. I have been to the glamping pod and the community centre. The island’s broadband was an issue and we have worked with the community there on a number of issues. Likewise, Sherkin Island got a huge investment from my Department and that will be a game changer in terms of what it can do in the community, given the level of funding that has been allocated to it. That is just two Cork islands, but other islands have also got support. I am committed to supporting them. Ports are a big issue on the islands, although achieving improvements in regard to all these things will be a matter for the longer term. The Leas-Cheann Comhairle knows all about the islands and raises them with me regularly, so she keeps me on my toes.
Nevertheless, the Minister cannot go over time.
