Vol. 1050 No. 6
46. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she has engaged with Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann since the publication of its report on the housing needs of Ireland’s offshore islands in November 2023, and if her Department discussed its recommendations with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. [10552/24]
Has the Minister engaged with Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann since the publication of its report on the housing needs of Ireland's offshore islands in November 2023? Did her Department discuss its recommendations with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage?
I thank the Deputy for raising this issue.
As the Deputy will be aware, last June I launched Our Living Islands, the national islands policy, on Arranmore island, County Donegal. The policy recognises the challenges facing the offshore islands in relation to housing, which was one of the most pressing issues of concern raised by island communities during the public consultation process for the policy. Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann also raised it with me directly when I spoke at its AGM in September 2022. As a result, my Department held a number of bilateral meetings with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage during the development of the policy and associated action plan. I also met the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, prior to finalising the policy in order to discuss the issue and to secure housing-related actions and commitments for inclusion in the Our Living Islands action plan. Many of these actions align with the recommendations of the report the Deputy referred to.
My officials have regular engagement with Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann and met it most recently on 31 January to discuss a range of matters, including the housing-related actions in the action plan, Our Living Islands. When it comes to implementation, however, matters relating to housing come under the remit of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the relevant local authorities. I understand that members of Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann have recently met my colleague, Deputy Darragh O’Brien, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, to discuss the recommendations in the report referred to by the Deputy.
The monitoring committee for the islands policy, which will meet tomorrow, includes a representative from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, as well as six representatives of island communities nominated by Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann and I expect that an update will be provided to the committee on these issues.
I welcome the Minister's answer. She seems to have covered the issues. Have the following recommendations been accepted by the Department, namely, the island-specific housing task force and action plan; the community-led housing association or approved housing body; an advisory or input role into the national policy formation and planning guidelines and liaison role regarding planning processes and statistics; an advisory role to the national policy implementation on vacant homes; and ongoing research and community engagement?
Many of the actions the Deputy referred to lie with the Department of housing. However, I have engaged directly with the island communities and I know that housing is the big issue. If you are living on an island, there are additional construction costs for transporting materials. That is why I am keen, as part of our islands policy, that my Department provide the 20% top-up to the Croí Cónaithe grant for islanders. There are approximately 20 applications for Croí Cónaithe from our islanders so 20 more families will be living on our islands at some stage. That is good progress in itself.
On the report by Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann the Deputy referred to, there were a number of recommendations on areas such as approved housing bodies, planning guidelines, water and sewerage services. I have been in contact with my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien. As I said earlier, he met Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann to discuss those issues. The Deputy will appreciate that I am not the Minister for housing, but I will be keeping the toes of the relevant Ministers to the fire, whether it is Deputy O'Brien or any of my other colleagues to make sure they deliver for the islands because they gave me commitments for this islands policy.
47. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to outline the analysis her Department is conducting on investments made under the town and village renewal scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10456/24]
60. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development for an update on developing town teams in Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10455/24]
67. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the supports made available by her Department to address vacancy and dereliction in rural towns and villages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10459/24]
The town and village renewal scheme under the Minister's Department is a fantastic scheme to invest in our rural towns and villages. I was delighted to see the Minister's announcement last month of a €4.5 million package for our rural towns and villages. Will the Minster outline any analysis her Department is conducting on those investments to ensure we are achieving what we set out to do with this, that is, to regenerate and bring life, living and better footfall back into our towns and villages and to create nicer places for the people who live there?
I propose to take Questions Nos. 47, 60 and 67 together.
The town and village renewal scheme is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. It is a key driver of the national rural development policy, Our Rural Future, and the town centre first policy. Since the launch of the scheme in 2016, more than €156 million has been allocated to more than 1,700 projects across Ireland. As with the full range of schemes operated by my Department, there is an ongoing process in place to ensure that value for money is being delivered. For example, the scheme's priorities are reviewed at the end of each scheme year to ensure that funding is targeted effectively to support vibrant and attractive communities and to respond to changing needs and opportunities. In recent years, this process has seen the scheme focus more on town centre regeneration projects and the challenges of vacancy and dereliction. In addition, the town and village renewal scheme is also subject to standard procedures such as the focused policy assessment process and the Department's internal control procedures.
More widely, my officials continue to work with expert bodies such as the Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, and the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service on the analysis and evaluation of our schemes and policies. As I have already mentioned, the town and village renewal scheme is closely aligned with the Government's town centre first policy. This is a major cross-Government policy that aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres. It supports the Our Rural Future vision for a thriving rural Ireland, which is integral to our national economic, social, cultural and environmental well-being and development.
In 2021, I supported the completion of an initial phase of 26 town centre first plans, including a plan for Abbeyfeale in County Limerick and Skibbereen in County Cork. Last week, I announced a further 26 towns to complete plans. Rathkeale will be the second approved town in Limerick and Kanturk will be the second in Cork.
I have also funded new town regeneration officer posts across local authorities. These officers will be a key resource locally. They will liaise with local communities and town teams, drive the development and completion of town centre first plans and help towns to make the best use of the wide range of funding streams available to them. I recently met with town regeneration officers and town team members from across the country. It is clear that there is a huge commitment among local communities to supporting and developing their towns and villages. This local buy-in and commitment is central to ensuring we can successfully develop projects that deliver real impact locally in revitalising towns and addressing vacancy and dereliction.
Last month, I launched a new range of town centre first supports that will provide further funding of €4.5 million to rural communities across the country. A key part of this is funding for up to three towns in each county to develop town teams or establish teams in towns where they do not currently exist. This is particularly important in helping towns that have not been able to access the range of support schemes to date or have had trouble in putting in place structures such as a town team at local level. It is important to recognise that not all towns are the same or have the same needs and challenges. That is why I have been anxious to ensure the supports offered by my Department are flexible and responsive in their design.
I encourage community members in Limerick, Cork and across the country to engage with their town regeneration officer and local authority and get involved. Town teams will be a key driver in ensuring local rates of vacancy and dereliction are identified and addressed appropriately through the many supports available, including my Department's rural regeneration and development fund and town and village renewal scheme. The fifth call of the rural regeneration and development fund, with a focus on revitalising rural towns and villages and addressing vacancy and dereliction, closed on 8 February this year. I expect to be in a position to announce the successful projects before the end of quarter 2 of 2024. Similarly, I expect to announce successful projects under the town and village renewal scheme by the end of quarter 1 of 2024, which is the end of this month. Together, these two funding announcements will enable a further tranche of high-quality regenerative projects to be delivered in towns across rural Ireland. This is in addition to the significant funding I have already announced in previous tranches of these schemes and under new initiatives such as the building acquisition measure.
My Department remains absolutely committed to addressing the issues of vacancy and dereliction in our rural towns and to ensuring we deliver on the Government's vision for rural Ireland as set out in the Our Rural Future document. As I said, there are some towns with very active and successful town teams, while others have not quite reached that standard. The funding I announced will help some of those towns to build their capacity. We must get buy-in from local people. The town centre first officers will be able to help towns to set up a team and can guide them along the way. The grant towns can get is not a huge amount of money but it will help and encourage them. There is a very successful town team in my town of Monaghan but it is not replicated across the county.
The Minister's response is very positive and the figure of €156 million for 1,700 projects is impressive. I am glad she mentioned the requirement for buy-in from local communities. Going through that participative process is key to success. I am sure if she had time she would have mentioned Blessington in my constituency. It has a beautiful wide main street, a beautiful square and was a market town back in the day. We are working constructively on developing an inner relief road to take a lot of the heavy goods traffic that is currently using the N81.
Vacant homes officers, town regeneration officers and the town teams are working closely with public representatives. When we combine that with the funding under the urban regeneration and development fund, URDF, and the rural regeneration and development fund, RRDF, there really is a very positive impact on our towns and villages. It highlights how the Government has really concentrated on bringing life and living into those towns and villages. Croí Cónaithe is another important scheme that helps to bring empty or vacant buildings back into residential use. Having residential footfall, with people living and walking around a town, is good for local business. It is good to have that life brought back into towns. It is also a form of climate action to try to consolidate towns and prevent continual sprawl.
I was very impressed by some of the measures in the our rural future policy, which was issued approximately two years ago, and the town centre first policy. It can be a little confusing for people that there are so many funding streams. We need to ensure people know about all these different streams. Alongside large-scale infrastructural development funding, the smaller measures make a huge difference to the residents of towns and villages.
The work the Minister is doing in this area is extraordinary and really important. In the town of Youghal in my constituency, which she knows well, I am told there are 102 vacant properties on the main street. I am not aware of any town team being established there. We probably need to accelerate the great work the Minister is doing to bring more towns up to speed. I agree with my colleague, Deputy Matthews, on the importance of having people living in properties that were retail properties in the past but are no longer being used for that purpose. That is needed to bring life back into the streets of towns. It would be absolutely fantastic to see that happening. Youghal is a beautiful town by the sea with everything going for it, including a great history and heritage. Yet, because of its geographical location, the traffic in Castlemartyr and so on, it is dying in front of us. Can the Minister give us any hope as to what can be done for Youghal in the near future?
I thank the Deputies for the issues they raised. Under the second measure in the town centre first suite of supports, Newtownmountkennedy is the designated town in County Wicklow and Kanturk is the town in County Cork. It is very much about supporting these towns. The town centre first officer who will be appointed for each county can work with towns that need that support.
Youghal is a town I hear plenty about, especially from Deputy Stanton and some of his colleagues. In 2021, it was allocated €4.048 million under the RRDF for the delivery of a modern and fully resourced library for the town. It is a wonderful and important project. Mitchelstown was given €270,000 under category 2 of the RRDF to develop plans to repurpose a vacant landmark building to facilitate the overall branding and place making of a Georgian heritage cultural quarter. I visited the town with the Deputy the year before last.
There is a lot of investment being made under a number of different streams, all of which are tailored to meet specific needs. The purpose of the town centre first officers will be to co-ordinate and liaise with the local town team or the local community and come forward with applications. All the applications that come to my Department must go through the local authority. People need to engage with the local authority to make sure what they see as the right approach for their town comes through to my Department to be funded. There is €30,000 for Kanturk and Newtownmountkennedy to develop plans. It is important that towns have a plan. If everybody signs up to the plan, we know where we are going. If there is no plan, the process is all over the place, as we know. There are a lot of these plans in existence. Towns can look at what similar towns have done to see how they can develop a plan and build capacity within a town team.
I am delighted the Minister mentioned Newtownmountkennedy, which is the home town of my father-in-law, Noel Doyle.
He is a very proud resident, as are all the other residents. There is a scheme to rejuvenate the main street, which is another example of a wide street. The town has seen considerable population growth, which is a good thing. Many houses have been built throughout north Wicklow and in places like Newtownmountkennedy and Greystones. Blessington is also undergoing considerable development. Therefore, it is so important at this time that we continue to fund the schemes, involve the communities and give support. I strongly believe we have given support to the local authorities in appointing town regeneration officers. There are vacancy offices and large active travel teams in all our local authorities. In resourcing the local authorities, we arm them to put their best foot forward to run the schemes. Overall, everyone in this Chamber wants to see life returned to rural towns and villages, which are the heartbeat of our country. It is often levelled at us that we concentrate on the five cities, which are important, but the towns, villages and the hinterlands of the cities are also very important.
I agree with Deputy Stanton. I was in Youghal last year. It is an absolutely fantastic town and one can see its beautiful Victorian character. This town will also benefit. Long may this continue. The Minister should keep up the good work. I really like the Our Rural Future policy document. I could not have written it better myself. I thank the Minister for that and I ask her to continue with the investment.
I welcome the Minister's choosing of Kanturk but we have had this debate before. Cork is about three times the size of other counties but it had just one town included. Every other county had one town included also. In future, the Minister might regard Cork as having three divisions, which it has, and include three towns rather than one, thereby ensuring funding equality based on geographical size. County Louth has one town and Cork has one. That is not really fair in many ways. Maybe the Minister will consider this.
Does the Minister agree that the best way to have town and village renewal is to deal with vacancy and dereliction and get people living along the streets, as my colleague said already? Every second premises in a town like Youghal is now empty and boarded up, which is extraordinarily depressing. What can the Government do urgently to encourage owners of such premises to have people living along the street again? It is really serious. Every shop that closes leads to another closure, and then another and another.
I welcome the Government's Town Centre First plan. As the Minister knows, Tullow, County Carlow, now has a town regeneration officer who will manage the implementation of the plan locally and work with the town team but to me the really good thing is that work is being done with the community representatives. That is the game-changer and I really welcome it.
It was announced that Bagenalstown has been identified as one of the 26 towns across Ireland that will be in phase 2 of the Town Centre First plan. Rural Ireland will be crucial in this regard. Tullow and Bagenalstown, both in County Carlow, are part of the plan. What will happen? What is the timescale?
Could I have an update on the Carlow library? I heard the Minister speaking about libraries earlier. As she knows, a major application has been submitted for Carlow library.
The towns recently announced - Bagenalstown, County Carlow, was mentioned - will all get funding of €30,000 to work on their plans, and they can also get money to support their town teams and build capacity within communities. You have to encourage people to become engaged, speak up, make their views known and get the applications in.
My focus is on utilising the buildings that are not really suitable for housing but that can be converted for community use. Under the buildings acquisition measure, which is a new measure I introduced, we gave funding to the local authorities to purchase buildings that they identify, with local groups, as buildings that could be converted for community use. In some cases, as we know, these buildings are former bank buildings. Many of these were converted into remote working hubs or enterprise spaces. In other cases, the relevant building might be an old primary school or Garda station, and this could become home to the local men's shed or another community group. This is where my focus is.
Other things are happening. In this regard, reference was made to houses. Up to €70,000 is available through the vacant homes refurbishment grant. There is considerable demand for this. It is the responsibility of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien. When driving around, I see houses being renovated that were vacant, falling down or not finished. People will be moving into them. This breathes new life into areas and it is wonderful to see. The Department of housing also has vacant homes officers in the local authorities and they are leading on other schemes, such as the repair-and-lease scheme and, of course, the buy-and-renew scheme. Some local authorities have used these schemes to great effect. The local authorities, particularly that in Waterford, have really shown what can be achieved through the schemes. Some local authorities are very good at doing some things while others need a bit more support and may need a little more encouragement. They can be given the example of Waterford.
The Department of housing is also doing a lot of work in the larger towns and cities through the urban regeneration fund and it is considering how we can combat vacancy and dereliction. There are several good examples around the country in this regard. I was in Patrickswell, County Limerick, only last Wednesday and I opened a beautiful new community centre there. It was formerly a vacant site in the heart of the village. The people knew what they wanted and were able to work with the local authority to get the application in, and we were able to fund it.
48. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she has given consideration to convening a working group to include sector representatives and relevant Departments to develop a multi-annual funding structure in the in the community and voluntary and charity sector. [10405/24]
Has the Minister of State considered convening a working group to include sector representatives and relevant Departments to develop a multi-annual funding structure in the in the community and voluntary and charity sector?
The Government's five-year strategy to support the community and voluntary sector, Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities, was published in 2019. This is a whole-of-government strategy led by my Department and it is implemented collaboratively with the sector through the cross-sectoral group on local and community development. This strategy reaffirms the Government's commitment to supporting the sector while also recognising the reality of finite resources and the need to ensure available resources are focused on providing effective services. The strategy includes a commitment to develop a sustainable funding model to support the community and voluntary sector.
While my Department provides funding to some community and voluntary organisations, it is not the primary funder for many of them. Furthermore, my Department does not have a direct mandate to set the terms of the funding arrangements put in place for what is a wide array of diverse programmes and schemes, most of which are managed and funded by other Departments. However, my Department has taken steps regarding its own programmes. For example, five-year multi-annual funding contracts have now been issued to 420 organisations funded under the community services programme. A further example is the scheme to support national organisations in the community and voluntary sector. Funding totalling €21 million is provided on a multi-annual basis to 82 organisations under this scheme.
In line with a commitment in the strategy, my Department is currently mapping the commissioning of social and community services by public sector bodies. This is included in the 2024 cross-sectoral group work plan of priority actions. This mapping exercise will capture some information on the duration of grant agreements being issued to community and voluntary organisations, which should assist the policymaking process concerning this issue.
I absolutely acknowledge the work done in the Minister of State's Department and the multi-annual funding, which he has outlined. However, he is part of a Government. The community, voluntary and charity sector includes a wide range of organisations, including section 38, section 39 and section 56 organisations. I am sure the Cabinet is aware of all the difficulties they are experiencing. I am using this opportunity to voice their concerns because we know what they are. They relate to recruitment, retention and the issue of strategic planning.
How do people plan if they do not have an assurance that they will have funding? That has led to significant difficulties. The Department has acknowledged that and worked forward on it.
I wish other Departments would take some steps similar to those the Minister has taken. I urge the Minister of State to use his position in the Government to push that further, with others.
We are using a couple of mechanisms to try to push that and expand that approach across government. In his question, the Deputy proposes the convening of a working group. In many respects that working groups already exists. We have a cross-sectoral group tasked with implementing the five-year strategy. It includes officials from quite a few Departments, including the Departments of Health, further and higher education, housing, environment, children and integration and, obviously, the Department of Social Protection. The group draws up an annual work plan and has created one for 2024 setting out 24 or 25 priorities. It will meet approximately three times a year and will have subgroups that will focus on particular areas.
An area on which the group has decided to focus and that touches on the issue the Deputy raised is the commissioning exercise it has started. That decision was taken by the group, which has a roughly 50:50 split between community and voluntary sector groups and Government agencies. The commissioning exercise it has decided to focus on is probably the most relevant work the group is currently doing.
It goes without saying that there is not a group in the community and voluntary sector that will not speak of the need for multi-annual funding. I welcome the Minister of State's point that the group is cross-departmental. That is necessary. I am thinking of the likes of the Family Addiction Support Network, which is falling between stools and which, unfortunately, could face closure within the next year.
I have another question related to community centres. I have spoken to the Minister of State previously about Muirhevnamor Community Centre and the great work it does. We need to look at ways of providing long-term sustainability. Blackrock Haggardstown Community Centre applied for CSP funding but failed to secure it, even on appeal, on the basis of displacement. It says it now has an insufficient number of staff to do business. It cannot get enough staff through community employment or Tús and is looking at possible closure. That would be a particularly detrimental to the local community. I ask the Minister of State to engage with the organisation.
There are a few strands to Deputy Ó Murchú's question.
There generally are.
In terms of other Departments, particularly in the case of the section 39 organisations the Deputy mentioned, this comes down to service level agreements. I point to a document that was agreed by the Government in the year before last. It is the shared values and principles document. It encourages Departments to engage more with community and voluntary organisations that we are dependent on and to build that relationship. That document is something I constantly push any time I get a chance to mention it.
Specifically, we have restructured the community services programme and have given extra weighting to organisations that operate in an environment where it is harder to generate their own income. Organisations in deprived areas also get a higher allocation. That was done in response to some of the challenges that have been presented to us.
We are looking at applications for additional staff under CSP as well. The window may reopen - it will be later in the year at the earliest - for new CSP applications as well and the organisation the Deputy mentioned may be able to apply. However, that would be post budget.
Could we look at the-----
The Deputy can speak to the Minister of State privately.
49. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 91 of 26 September 2023, for a status update on the transfer to her Department of land on Inishbofin on which the airstrip is situated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10401/24]
My question relates specifically to islands, this time Inishbofin, and the rigmarole that has taken place for almost 20 years as the islanders wait for a health centre. I ask for an update on the transfer of land so that we can give them a definite answer on when an essential piece of infrastructure for this island will be provided.
I thank Deputy Connolly for raising this issue.
As the Deputy is aware, the land on which the Inishbofin is located is currently owned by Galway County Council. These lands were acquired by way of a compulsory order by Galway County Council on behalf of the Department. Part of the site is intended for eventual use by the HSE for a primary care centre.
The transfer of these lands to my Department has been an ongoing process for a number of years. I understand there were outstanding legal and mapping issues but these have now been resolved.
Galway County Council advised my Department last September that the disposal of these lands to my Department had been approved at the council's plenary meeting. They further advised that the council's in-house solicitors would move forward with the transfer of title.
My Department has contacted the Chief State Solicitor's office about the progress on this transfer and it has advised that the maps have been agreed and it is now waiting on the necessary contracts from Galway County Council. My Department will continue to pursue this matter with Galway County Council in order to get the project progressed and finalised as soon as possible. However, as I am sure the Deputy can appreciate, any transfer of land such as this is a complex matter and can be a lengthy process.
In the meantime, part of the is being used by the Coast Guard as a helipad in the event of medical emergency evacuations. To further assist with such emergency evacuations, it is planned to install permanent lighting for the helipad later this year.
Does the Minister have any date for completion of the project? Will the Department have any role in the primary care centre or is that strictly the Health Service Executive? Will there be matching funding?
Let me try to give a tiny bit of background. This has been going on for 20 years. According to the 2022 census, Inishbofin had 188 inhabitants, which, luckily, was an increase. A functioning health centre is a basic need. The current facility is not fit for purpose.
We had a national primary care island services review in April 2017. It was that long ago. It recommended a new primary care centre for both Inishbofin and Inishmore. A commitment had been secured for that.
A plan for the completion of these facilities was signed in 2018 and costing was completed. Here we are now, in 2024, waiting for the tiny strip of land so that it will be completed and allow for the building of a health centre, the most essential piece of basic infrastructure. Twenty years on, could I have a date for the completion of the transfer of the land?
As I said, the matter is with Galway County Council at present. My Department was in touch with it in November and again in January to get its solicitor to complete the legal aspects.
The Deputy is correct. I was reading the file and the project goes back a good while, to say the least. The Inishbofin airstrip was completed in late 2010 but, in July 2013, the then Minister of State decided not to proceed with the development of terminal buildings and other works required by the Irish Aviation Authority for use of the airstrip as a public airport. If we then fast-forward to 2017, a public consultation took place about the future of the and it was decided that a primary healthcare centre could be located on part of the site. In 2018, consultants prepared a feasibility study to establish whether constructing a health centre on part of the site would interfere with the possible use of the site as an airstrip. That matter was sorted out. The situation now is that Galway County Council is trying to get the necessary contracts prepared.
I would appreciate it if the Minister could give me an approximate date for the transfer of the land. The national primary care island services review, in itself, was a work of art, first, in getting it done and then in trying to get the report. A number of TDs asked for that.
We are talking about a basic health centre, a primary care strategy and a policy for the islands. That is why I went back to the original question. I refer to the implementation of the policy for the islands on every level, including housing, co-ops and primary care.
I would appreciate it if the Minister could give a date.
I do not have the date here but we are keeping the pressure on Galway County Council. The maps have been agreed, so if there is anything the Deputy can do to ensure the council gets the necessary contracts in to us, we will be happy to get them signed and moved on. I know how important it is that there should be a primary care centre there. I will take the matter up with the Minister for Health and the HSE to see how they are proceeding because we want to see this happen but we cannot do anything until we get the transfer of land. That is the first step in this process. We will keep after it.
50. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development what efforts are being made by her Department to ensure that local authorities are enforcing the legislation to collect fines under dog control regulations. [10551/24]
What efforts are being made by her Department to ensure that local authorities are enforcing the legislation to collect fines under dog control regulations?
I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. My Department has policy responsibility for the Control of Dogs Act and local authorities have responsibility for all operational matters, including enforcement.
The Control of Dogs Act set out a number of legal obligations with which all dog owners must comply. The Control of Dogs Regulations 1998 set out further requirements on compliance for owners of specific breeds of dogs, including crosses of those breeds.
I am committed to improving outcomes in dog control in Ireland and, in this context, I recently increased on-the-spot fines for offences under the Control of Dogs Act, including trebling the fines for most serious offences from €100 to €300. Multiple fines can be issued where more than one offence occurs.
In addition, I announced the establishment of a high-level stakeholder group to consider and make recommendations to strengthen policy on these issues. I have appointed John Twomey as chair of the stakeholder group, which comprises members with a broad range of expertise, including academics, veterinary surgeons, local authorities, farming interests, charities working in the field and animal welfare experts. The first meeting of this group will take place shortly.
My Department is also supporting a national training programme for dog wardens to ensure consistency and a standardised approach to enforcement. This training begins in April. I believe it is important for dog owners to be aware of their responsibilities, not just to the general public but also to their dogs. For this reason, I intend to launch a media campaign shortly to alert dog owners to their responsibilities and to raise awareness of the dangers that can be posed by uncontrolled dogs.
There were 240 attacks by dogs on livestock and 180 on other animals across the State in the past two years. There were 1,500 dog attacks in the same period with 430 of them on people. Despite this, some local authorities have failed to issue any fines in the past four years. It is estimated that there is one dog warden for every 3,000 dogs in Ireland. According to the Irish Independent, four counties have not issued any fines in the past year, while three were handed out in one. As the Minister can hear, this level of enforcement is hit and miss. Unfortunately, no dog warden has the capacity to police that number of dogs. There is an issue with the number of dogs. The Minister has responsibility for policy on dogs but something needs to done regarding its implementation by local authorities.
The local authorities will be part of this stakeholder group. I updated the Government today on the work I am doing in the Department on dog control. The sum of €2 million has been provided in funding to local authorities to enable them to upgrade dog shelters and purchase equipment to support the local dog wardens in their work, but also to fund a neutering campaign.
My Department is carrying out a comprehensive communication campaign on responsible dog ownership. I have the booklet with me here that has just gone out. I blame the owners not the dogs because they are not treating them well, they are not training them properly and they are not keeping them under control. People need to keep their dogs under control.
Some local authorities are currently recruiting dog wardens. I believe the local authorities in counties Mayo and Dublin have recruitment processes under way. Increasing the fines will mean more money to help the local authorities finance dog warden positions. The local authorities have responsibility for the dog wardens. Dog wardens do not have an easy job.
As a dog owner, I am aware that there are far more responsible dog owners than there are irresponsible ones but, like in every other area, there needs to be enforcement of the rules and the legislation. My local authority is Fingal County Council and it is an example of best practice in respect of the number of dog wardens and the level of enforcement. I see dog wardens regularly in my local park. They also respond to the concerns of the local community. If dogs are roaming around the place, they will do spot checks and knock on the doors of people who have had dog licences to check whether they still have a dog. A lot of enforcement and a lot of proactive work goes on within the local authority. It is concerning, however, to hear about some local authorities that have not issued a single dog fine. It is obviously very low on their priority list. This is a public safety issue.
I engaged previously with the Minister on issues relating to a very small number of dog owners. A few irresponsible owners can cause a significant number of problems. There are issues concerning the commonage on the Cooley Mountains. In fairness to Louth County Council, its dog wardens have carried out media campaigns, which I welcome.
The ability to fine people has been mentioned, but it must be ensured there is enforcement. I am very interested to hear what timeline the Minister envisages for the recommendations of the stakeholder group. That process is necessary.
Seeing as I am talking about the Cooley Peninsula, the Minister will not be shocked if I try to find out if she has an update for me. She said she would ask the Minister for Transport about the possibility of an upgraded local improvement scheme involving areas such as the Cooley Peninsula that suffered greatly from flooding.
I thank both Deputies for their questions. To go back to the dogs, I am also in contact with the local authorities. They will be on the stakeholder group. There are many different stakeholders when it comes to dogs. The farming community will be represented on it.
I thank Deputy Donnelly for providing the example of Fingal County Council, which obviously runs a very good show when it comes to dog wardens and the number of dog wardens that are there. I accept that there are some cases where it is hard for one or two dog wardens to cover a whole county, especially in rural areas but no matter how many dog wardens we have, they cannot be everywhere at the same time and it is up to the dog owners. As I said, we have this fine booklet here and we are really going to push the responsibility back on the owners to make sure they keep control of their dogs, in particular as we come into the lambing season.
I will have to come back to Deputy Ó Murchú this evening on the local improvement scheme as I do not have all the information with me here.
52. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 99 of 30 January 2024 for a status update on the development of Inis Oírr pier; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10400/24]
I am staying with the theme of the islands. The Minister can see why with the delay in all of these projects. Baineann mo cheist le hInis Oírr. Go háirid, tá mé ag iarraidh fáil amach cén dul chun cinn atá déanta ó thaobh na céibhe de ansin agus an obair atá geallta. Where are we in terms of the update on the Inis Óirr pier? This started 20 years ago. Perhaps the Minister will break the spell.
Galway County Council is the responsible authority for the maintenance and development of pier infrastructure on the Aran Islands.
In July 2023, I gave approval to Galway County Council to issue a request for tender for the development of the Inis Oírr pier. Galway County Council is the contracting authority and is therefore responsible for all aspects of the procurement process.
A steering committee consisting of representatives from my Department and Galway County Council meets on a regular basis, with the most recent meeting taking place on 20 February, to monitor progress on the development of the piers on Inis Oírr and Inis Meáin. Both projects are included in the national development plan. I understand that a two-stage tender process is currently under way and that Galway County Council has completed the evaluation of the tenders received for stage one.
I am advised that documents for stage two of the tender process are due to be published within the next fortnight. This second stage is limited to the successful tenderers from stage one and gives them an additional period of time to prepare detailed proposals in response to the tender documents.
Galway County Council will then evaluate the responses to identify a preferred bidder. Subject to the successful completion of this procurement process, it is expected that a contractor will be appointed later this year. I can assure the Deputy that I am determined that we maintain the momentum to get this project underway and completed.
I appreciate the Minister has given me a date for later this year but in the context of 20 years, I am still a little sceptical so I will be coming back repeatedly for the rest of the year. Has the Minister any clarification on the foreshore licence? I think there was a need for a foreshore licence. Where is that at? At the risk of boring the Minister, all I can keep repeating is that there is an urgent need for an islands policy. What is missing is an islands policy based on legislation. I should not have to be here with other colleagues tormenting whatever Minister is here to push for the most basic requirements so that people can live sustainably on islands. They have enough difficulties without a lack of basic infrastructure. The overtopping on the harbour is a matter of health and safety and it has been like that for a very long time.
The Deputy has been on to me many times about this. We have spent a lot of time when it came to Inis Oírr. They carried out simulation exercises and they did that in Cork. It went on and on.
That was Inis Meáin.
Sorry, Inis Meáin. At least they are finished that.
That is another question that I have down
It seems to take an awfully long time to do anything with the islands. I will be straight with the Deputy. I would like to see it move a bit quicker. At least now stage one of the tender is over. We are at the second stage. Galway County Council has completed the evaluation. Now it will ask for the more detailed tenders to come in. That will take up to four months to assess. I will keep the pressure on. I know the Deputy will keep the pressure on me and she is right to do that because I will keep the pressure on others and we might get this moved on. It is going on a long time and I absolutely accept that.
A monitoring committee has been set up. Is the Minister getting feedback on that? Is she aware of what was discussed on 20 February? Are they keeping the Minister up to speed about any difficulties that might be arising? The Minister is saying it will take four months to assess. I appreciate that. There is a clear deadline now – it is approximately four months. A contractor will be employed this year for Inis Oírr. Inis Meáin is further down the list in relation to the Caladh Mór. They are absolutely frustrated that it is going on so long and we have not reached stage three.
The officials from my Department and Galway County Council meet on a monthly basis. The last meeting was on 20 February. I get updates, particularly when I have parliamentary questions. I will continue to maintain the pressure to make sure we move this on but Galway County Council has a role here as well. It needs to keep the momentum going too.
54. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development for an update on the Charities (Amendment) Bill 2023. [10550/24]
Will the Minister update the House on the Charities (Amendment) Bill 2023?
Our charity sector is an important and valued part of Irish society, playing an integral role in the provision of services to our communities. With over 11,500 charities on the charities register, the work of the Charities Regulator is also vitally important.
The Charities (Amendment) Bill 2023 was published on 22 December 2023, and concluded Second Stage of the legislative process on 25 January. The Bill's aim is to improve the ability of the Charities Regulator to conduct its statutory functions, providing greater transparency, clarity and fairness in terms of the regulation of charities, leading to greater public trust and confidence in the sector.
This Bill is a key step that needs to be implemented in order to allow for the appropriate regulation, particularly financial regulation, of the sector. It is important that we strike the right balance between necessary regulation and proportionate governance, ensuring that a reasonable and fair approach is at its core. In this regard, it is important to note that, in many cases, the Bill will ease the administrative burden on smaller charities. It will also further enhance and empower both existing trustees and potential trustees, by giving greater clarity in respect of their roles and responsibilities.
I can confirm that Committee Stage of the legislative process is scheduled to commence on Wednesday, 10 April. I look forward to engaging with members of the select committee, and with colleagues in both Houses of the Oireachtas, to enable the passage and enactment of this Bill as quickly as possible.
I will not delay. I look forward to this Bill coming before the committee in April.
55. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to address the challenges that rural communities are facing in relation to increased costs with transport. [10553/24]
Will the Minister address the challenges rural communities are facing in relation to increased costs in transport?
As the Deputy will be aware, the Department of Transport is responsible for rural transport policy and programmes and the National Transport Authority has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling of these services. Notwithstanding this, I acknowledge the vital importance of transport services for rural communities. Accordingly, the Department has ensured the inclusion of relevant actions in Our Rural Future, the whole-of-government policy for rural development, and Our Living Islands, the ten-year policy for our off-shore islands.
In its 2023 end of year report to my Department, the Department of Transport has confirmed that since mid-2022, over 190 towns and villages have been connected to the public transport network, and over 280,000 people have access to new and enhanced bus services under the connecting Ireland rural mobility plan. Public transport fares have been reduced by an average of 20% across all Transport for Ireland services. This took place in 2022 and the most recent budget ensured these reductions could be continued in 2024. The number of journeys taken continues to grow in line with the expansion of services and in the context of these fare reductions.
My Department will continue to monitor delivery of all actions assigned under Our Rural Future. In June 2023, my Department published Ireland's ten-year island policy, Our Living Islands. The policy recognises that reliable, affordable, year-round transport services are essential for the sustainability of our island communities. My Department currently subsidises a suite of transport services for 19 separate offshore islands. For example, in 2022, the most recent full year figures available to my Department, more than 498,317 people used the subsidised ferry services to our offshore islands. Over the last six years, despite the rising costs faced by the transport sector, my Department has ensured that there were no fare increases for the majority of island services. My Department will continue to support these transport services which provide a vital link for communities on our offshore islands.
While acknowledging that, the Government should also acknowledge that rural communities face increases in costs and a fairly patchy, unintegrated rural network that is not accessible or a flexible. It is important to develop initiatives and resource areas that are further from the major urban areas and improve and expand public services in remote rural areas. The additional money required to achieve the minimum essential standard of living ranges from an estimated €142 a week for rural couples with younger children to €197 per week for rural couples with children at primary and second level age.
According to the latest MESL figures from the Vincentian research centre, higher costs relate to household energy, transport and fuel, and these costs have increased significantly. I ask again if the Minister of State would consider this and look at the increased costs for people in rural areas.
I point out that the Local Link services have accelerated in their expansion and reach, in particular over the past couple of years. Figures from the Department of Transport show that numbers taking Local Link services have shot up by more than 360% between 2020 and 2023. It was a particular commitment in the programme for Government that we would triple the use of Local Link. I was part of negotiating it myself. I am glad to see we have overshot our target there as well. There are a huge number of Local Link services opening, at an average of approximately one per week. That pace is accelerating. Last December was the busiest for new openings. We have 20 new and enhanced bus services implemented connecting towns and villages in counties Galway, Mayo, Waterford, Kerry, Sligo and Cavan. I know the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, wants to accelerate that more so the Local Link service is available to everyone in rural Ireland.
