George Lawlor
Ceist:78. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to interact with local development companies to promote the creation of a national social enterprise policy. [6714/25]
Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions
Social Enterprise Sector
This question was originally submitted to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and then transferred to the Department of the Minister, Deputy Calleary. I submitted the question to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on the basis of the 4,300 social enterprises that are making a significant contribution to the Irish economy. In 2021, it was €2.34 billion, with 57% of this in urban areas and 43% in rural areas. Social enterprises record a significant employment contribution, accounting for some 85,000 people in the workforce. While the social aspect of this issue is being covered and looked after, we need to look at this from a business point of view as well.
I thank the Deputy. Having just transferred from the Department of enterprise, I understand the rationale for his question. The Department of Rural and Community Development has had policy responsibility for social enterprise since the Department was established in 2017. Trading for Impact: National Social Enterprise Policy 2024-2027 was launched in July 2024. This policy was the successor to the first national social enterprise policy, which was published in 2019.
The development of Trading for Impact was carried out in partnership with the social enterprise sector to which the Deputy referred. A series of bilateral meetings were held with key stakeholders, including Departments and sectoral representative bodies and networks, which included the local development companies, and the Local Development Companies Network, LDCN, formerly known as the ILDN. There were a number of regional stakeholder events. Finally, a public consultation took place and 43 submissions were received from stakeholders.
In addition, my Department commissioned two major pieces of research to underpin the development of Trading for Impact. The first was a baseline data collation exercise on the scale and scope of social enterprise in Ireland and the second was an OECD in-depth policy review of the social enterprise and entrepreneurship ecosystem in Ireland.
Trading for Impact details 57 policy actions under five key objectives. Implementation is to be informed by a stakeholder engagement group made up of key stakeholders. The membership of this group will be announced shortly. It is an area I will be very interested in working in, alongside the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer. I had many meetings with the CEO of Social Enterprise Republic of Ireland, Mr. John Logue during my time at the Department of enterprise. There is massive potential here. We also need to support existing social enterprises.
I welcome the Minister's commitment to social enterprise. He is correct to suggest the LDCN had a number of consultations throughout the county, and continues to do so. However, there is a belief among LEADER companies in particular that a more specific targeted support for social enterprise in more disadvantaged areas may be necessary. They say one of the biggest challenges facing them as social enterprises is the balance between meeting the social need - be that in the context of those employed in the enterprise or otherwise - and the business acumen required in the context of the running and operation of the business. As was put to me by a person immersed in the area of social enterprise, often the passion to fix an issue affecting one's community needs the same business passion to make it work. They are, of course, using the benefit of SICAP to bridge the gap between the social and commercial control aspects, with training and mentoring supports.
Are the Minister and his Department officials open to sitting down with social enterprises in our local development companies to look at a proposal with regard to the business running element of it?
The Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, and I look forward to working with the Local Development Companies Network, which has just rebranded. This will be a key area of focus. The Deputy touched on the issue of management capability.
People have really good ideas but, unfortunately, the execution of this can often be a challenge and can often intimidate people from taking the step. I certainly want to work in that space but also in my role as Minister for Social Protection on the back to enterprise scheme to address those issues and give people the backup and scaffolding that is needed to take the jump and move from an idea to implementation, be that a social enterprise or under the back to enterprise scheme. I would like to work on this in cohesion between the Departments of Rural and Community Development and Social Protection as far as possible.
I welcome the Minister's comments. I think he hit the nail on the head: often people who have very good ideas do not have the necessary business acumen or are afraid to put themselves forward and present a business plan. Wexford Local Development has three fabulous in-house social enterprises in Kafé Konnect, EPIC and the Little Jobs Service. Kafé Konnect is a terrific example of how people who have been left on the margins can be immersed into the area of helping themselves, working among themselves. Under the stewardship of Julie Codd in Wexford Local Development, Kafé Konnect has been a hugely successful commercial enterprise. There are many and varied benefits of this. Kafé Konnect deals with people who are recovering from addiction issues and is now running a wonderfully successful business venture. I invite the Minister to come to Wexford at some stage and view it at first hand. I will even stand him a coffee on that basis.
The Deputy need not worry; the Minister, Deputy Browne, has promised me a coffee down there any day. It sounds like a fabulous project. Those are the kinds of projects we want to see. They sound very much like community services projects which support 430 community-based organisations to provide local economic environmental services with 1,700 full-time posts and 340 manager posts, supported by the Department. Last year we published the Achieve Together social innovation coaching and mentoring programme which is co-funded under Ireland's ESF operational programme. That provides bespoke mentors and coaches to existing CSP-supported organisations for a 12-month period. That will address some of the issues that we discussed in the previous question in terms of sustainability and providing better services. That is definitely the kind of model I want to see grow. We hope to roll out the Achieve Together programme across the country and make it available to other organisations.
Harbours and Piers
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:79. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the final business case for the redevelopment of Inis Oírr pier has now been received; and when approval will be granted to proceed with the project. [14535/25]
Baineann mo cheist le hInis Oírr, an chéibh atá ansin agus an fhorbairt atá beartaithe di. De réir mo thuisceana, tá dul chun cinn déanta, ach ba mhaith liom é sin a chinntiú ar an taifead, mar fuair an fhorbairt seo cead pleanála in 2008 agus tá sé ardaithe go mion minic agam ó toghadh mé ar dtús in 2016. An féidir leis an Aire an dul chun cinn a shoiléiriú dom agus é a chur ar thaifead na Dála?
Mar is eol don Teachta, is le Comhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe an t-údarás maidir le cúrsaí forbartha na gcalaí ar na hOileáin Árann, Inis Oírr ina measc. As the Deputy knows, there are regular meetings between officials from my Department and Galway County Council to discuss and monitor pier development on the islands. The last meeting was held on Wednesday, 12 March, and the next meeting is scheduled for 8 April.
With regard to the development of Inis Oírr Pier, Galway County Council is the contracting authority. It is responsible for all aspects of procurement. I understand that Galway County Council has formally completed the assessment and evaluation of all tender responses and a successful tenderer has been identified. Earlier this week, Galway County Council submitted the final business case to my Department, seeking approval to proceed with the project. This represents decision gate 3 as set out in the Government's infrastructure guidelines. The final case, which was received on Monday of this week, is now being reviewed by my Department. It will be checked for completeness in terms of the required elements, such as the overall cost and affordability of the proposal, and the benefits and risks associated with it.
I know the Deputy has worked very hard on this and she will appreciate that this is a significant project, ní hamháin le haghaidh mhuintir Inis Oírr ach le haghaidh mo Roinne freisin. Caithfimid a bheith láidir sa tuiscint go bhfuil gach rud ceart agus cóir. Therefore, we need to be satisfied that the final business case meets the required standard. I have asked my Department to complete the review with care and attention and bring a recommendation to me as quickly as possible. I will keep the Deputy totally informed on this.
Tuigim an fhreagracht atá ar an Roinn, agus ní mór don Roinn an jab a dhéanamh i gceart, ach táimid ag dul siar píosa fada go 2008. D'fhógair Tuairisc go raibh dul chun cinn iontach déanta. The Minister is now telling me that it is before his Department for a final decision. I understand from the very positive article in Tuairisc that a time has been set out for the work to start and to be completed. I understand that work is now to be completed in 2027 at the latest. There are conditions relating to the innealtóirí, the engineers, having Irish and so on and staying on the island. Is the Minister aware of that detail? An féidir leis tuilleadh sonraí a thabhairt dom ó thaobh an chonartha de? Cén uair a bheidh an obair ag tosú? Cén uair a bheidh sé críochnaithe? Céard iad na coinníollacha?
Níl na sonraí sin agam inniu, ach déarfaidh mé léi má tá siad ann. Ní cheapaim go bhfuil siad ann ag an bpointe seo, mar nílimid ach ag dul go dtí an tender stage. Beidh sé sin mar chuid den tender. Ach táim ag iarraidh go mbeidh-----
Maybe there is a mix-up between the islands. I understood there was a positive announcement for Inis Oírr and the extension of the pier.
Are we talking about Inis Oírr?
Inis Oírr.
Tá sé agam anseo go bhfuaireamar the tender report on Monday. Ní fhaca mé céard a leagadh amach ar Tuairisc, ach táimid ag iarraidh é seo a dhéanamh chomh luath agus is féidir. Dúirt mé le hoifigigh mo Roinne, nuair a phléifear an cheist seo, go gcaithfear é a dhéanamh go cúramach ach go sciobtha mar táimid ag fanacht chomh fada chun é a dhéanamh. Tiocfaidh mé ar ais chuig an Teachta leis na sonraí sin. Ceapaim go mbeidh na sonraí cosúil leis sin mar chuid den chonradh idir-----
Bheadh sé tábhachtach soiléiriú a thabhairt dom.
Gan dabht. Tá sé tábhachtach go mbeidh Gaeilge ag aon duine atá ag obair ar an togra seo agus go mbeidh siad ag fanacht ar an oileán.
Táim sásta leis sin. Tiocfaidh an tAire ar ais chugam.
Question No. 80 taken with Written Answers.
Road Projects
Pa Daly
Ceist:81. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the efforts his Department is making to increase the resourcing of local improvement schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14571/25]
I ask the Minister about the efforts that his Department is making to increase the resourcing of local improvement schemes and make a statement on it. In Kerry in particular over the past eight years, 225 roads have been improved but that is about 30 per year and, as the Minister probably knows, there are 500 roads on the list, which means it will be 25 or 30 years before we will get to all of the roads on the list.
The local improvement scheme supports improving non-public rural roads and laneways not usually maintained by local authorities. Since its re-establishment in 2017, almost €170 million has been provided by the Government to local authorities under the scheme.
In recent years, my Department has increased the year-on-year base funding for the scheme and has redirected savings from other areas of the Department to the scheme as they have arisen. In April 2024, €40 million in funding was announced for the scheme across all local authorities to cover 2024-25. As the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, said, we have recently opened the 2025 scheme and invited local authorities to submit their lists of priority roads for completion in 2025.
Since 2017, Kerry has been allocated a total of €10.37 million in local improvement scheme funding. This figure includes the 2024-25 allocation of €2.57 million.
Each year my Department carries out a review of the scheme to ensure allocations across local authorities are made as fairly and efficiently as possible. My departmental officials also work with local authorities to ensure that funding is fully utilised each year.
Our Rural Future sets out that the Government will continue to invest in the local improvement scheme. I am personally committed to it and see the value of it in my county as well as in Kerry. We are endeavouring to get extra resources into it to ensure the backlog, as discussed between the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, and Deputy Charles Ward, is addressed. We are awaiting from each council a list of priorities for 2025. They set those priorities.
I thank the Minister for the reply.
By way of context, a lot of people in County Kerry, from various areas such as Listry, Astee, Ballyconry, Ballyduff and Dromod in south Kerry, have been asking me about this. There has been a certain amount of kite-flying over the last few months by Government-supporting Independent TDs who have been announcing that there has been an increase in money for the local improvement schemes. However, from the statistics the Minister has quite generously provided to me we see the 2024 allocation is €2.569 million for 2024 and 2025, but the 2024 spend was €1.747 million. When one subtracts the 2024 figure from the allocation for the scheme in 2024-25 we are left with €821,000 for 2025, which is a decrease of 52% on what was previously allocated by the Government. Will the Minister confirm that there has been a decrease in the spend assigned for rural roads in Kerry as opposed to the increase that was flagged recently?
I am not going to confirm anything at this stage. We have opened the scheme and are looking through the applications. One thing that worked in my Department under the previous Minister, Heather Humphreys, is that we allocated money to it from savings in the Department. The Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, and I have asked that this continue. I am engaging with the Minister for Transport, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, regarding funding from that Department because the LIS is really important. We introduced changes to try to make it more open to people this year.
I also draw attention to the fact that some local authorities spend it differently and seem to spend it more efficiently than others. I am looking at the amount spent per kilometre of road. We will be doing a little bit more work on that with the local authorities. For instance, one local authority spends €15.60 per square metre, while another spends €49.15. This is a relatively small island. I know there are cost disparities but there cannot be that level of cost disparity. The average across local authorities is €31.19. I agree that different LIS and different roads require different budgets but I will be doing some work on this. I have asked my Department officials to do some work on those kinds of disparities between local authorities. Neither of those local authorities are in Kerry by the way. I want to get to understand them and I want to ensure we are getting value for money, given the substantial investment we are making.
Going over the statistics since 2017, as the Minister referenced, it seems to me that Kerry County Council and the roads department there have been quite efficient. I believe that €5,000 less than the full allocation was spent in one of those years. It seems that it was €21,000 less than the full allocation in 2020. It does seem to me that when we subtract the 2024 amount from the combined 2024-25 figure, the actual amount allocated to Kerry has decreased, which is very unfortunate given the 30-year waiting list. I would like to have clarity that it is indeed the case, as indicated by the statistics, that the amount for Kerry has decreased rather than increased, which was the story going around County Kerry from some of the people who are supporting the Government.
Four Members have indicated they would like to come in with a supplementary comment. I ask them to be really mindful of their time and to keep their contributions nice and short. They have a maximum of 30 seconds each.
Since its introduction in 2027 the LIS has been hugely successful and it is massively oversubscribed. It is very important and there is a huge demand for it in my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny. Additional funding will be required. In the context of next year's budget I implore the Minister to fight as hard as he can for rural towns and villages in my constituency such as Clara, Ballyhale, Windgap, Glynn, Rathanna, Ballinkillin, Drummin, Ballymurphy, Conahy, Muckalee, Pilltown, Glenmore, Fiddown, Mooncoin, Carrigeen and Skeaghvasteen. All have multiple applications to the scheme.
What about Faugheen?
There is huge demand out there. It is a hugely successful scheme. If we could just get additional funding, it would be most welcome for those towns and villages in Carlow and Kilkenny.
I feel the same with regard to the local improvement scheme, coming from the rural county of Longford. Significant funding has been provided in recent years through the Department when the previous Minister, Heather Humphreys, was in that role. If the Minister, Deputy Calleary, looks at his list he will see that every penny allocated to Longford County Council was spent. I wish to highlight that we have the capacity to get more roads done if additional funding is made available to the local authority. I thank the Minister.
I thank the Acting Chair for his consideration this morning. Rural roads in County Louth could not have enough money from the perspective of walkers, tourism and agriculture. My question relates to special circumstances, such as if there was an extreme weather event, for example. In the previous two years LIS funding was awarded to a particular road when it was damaged and decimated in an extreme weather event. In those circumstances, would the Department look fondly on them and give them money to make sure the road was brought up to a better standard?
I wish the Minister and the Minister of State well in their portfolios. The explanations are very worthwhile given the discrepancies in costs. Some counties' totals are quite alarming. Obviously drainage and topography will mean a lot.
I welcome the relaxing of the requirements relating to applications by individual households. The connectivity of the people in those houses on those little boreens out to the public roads is so important. These are the little people we always talk about. They are the people we represent and they do not get much by way of anything else. It is a great scheme. I appeal for more funding to be provided. Applications into Tipperary County Council are not being taken now. It is dealing with the 2024 list. Obviously money is probably a problem. Anything the Minister can do for them will be appreciated.
The local improvement scheme is one of the best schemes we have seen in terms of reaching corners of all parts of rural Ireland that may not necessarily have street lights or which may be waiting for broadband to be delivered. We should be encouraging councils to clear all their backlogs rather than breaking it down into districts or otherwise. If we can see a way to a situation where applications are sought, funding is provided and those lists are cleared, we must work in that regard. If we have a situation where districts are split, we can see waiting lists of years in some locations and a matter of months in others. We need to streamline it to ensure consistency right across counties.
I note the Members' participation and the interest in the scheme. It was reintroduced in 2017. Base funding has increased year on year since 2021. Last year an additional €10 million in funding was secured. The Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, and I will be monitoring capital expenditure across the Department to utilise any savings and LIS is a priority for us. I have engaged with the Minister for Transport, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, and his Department on getting extra funding. Deputy McGreehan made a very solid point about storm and weather events. We have increased substantially the funding since 2021 to address that and to give councils the chance to address that. Ultimately, the councils submit their lists and they submit their roads to our Department, so it comes from within the council. With their local knowledge, they can identify what their priorities are. We really leave it to the councils, based on their local knowledge and their local priorities, to decide what they need to submit to us.
Departmental Funding
William Aird
Ceist:82. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will allocate funding to the community recognition fund for 2025. [14504/25]
I am asking for an extension of the community recognition fund in 2025. The community recognition fund was a major initiative designed to facilitate and support communities across the country that are hosting people from Ukraine and other countries around the world. The community recognition fund has been key to enhancing the social fabric of our communities, fostering inclusion and improving the quality of life for residents across Ireland. The initiatives supported by the community recognition fund have improved infrastructure, strengthened community networks, encouraged active lifestyles and supported local organisations.
The community recognition fund was first introduced in 2023 to recognise the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland.
Through the 2023 allocation €50 million in funding was approved for some 900 projects. To further support communities a further €50 million in funding was announced under community recognition last March. The additional funding is specifically targeted at projects located in cities, towns and villages that are hosting beneficiaries of temporary protection or international protection applicants.
In August 2024 €16.4 million was approved to deliver 185 community projects across the country.
On 24 February, together with the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, I approved over €14 million to deliver 164 projects across the country for the second tranche. The closing date for the third and final tranche has now passed and officials in the Department have commenced the process of reviewing the proposals submitted by each local authority. We will be announcing the successful projects under the tranche in the coming months.
My immediate priority is to get the remaining projects approved and ensure the €100 million already allocated for the scheme is fully delivered to ensure all funded projects are completed as quickly as possible. To do that, we will continue to consider how we can further support towns and villages that are welcoming people. Any decision in respect of a further round of funding under the community recognition fund will be considered in the context of those deliberations and the annual budgetary process.
That is good news. I take it that the Minister is going to have the fund available in 2025. The aim is to complete and maintain community development initiatives and plan for future needs. The enhanced social cohesion measure was great for the community. The promotion of the health and well-being element was too. Numerous people and clubs have benefited from walking tracks. There has been a major benefit to the community. The empowerment of the local organisations that got involved was great for everybody.
In my native County Laois, the community recognition fund had a positive impact, through several key projects, in Portlaoise, Ballylinan and Rathdowney. The Minister will know of all the people who benefited in his county, Mayo. The successful projects in Laois are key examples of the benefits of the community recognition fund. Extending the fund to 2025 would ensure even more communities can benefit from financial support, leading to a stronger and more inclusive society. I thank the Minister for considering this vital extension to the fund, which has already proven it can enhance the well-being of communities across Ireland.
I thank Deputy Aird. As he said, there has been fantastic delivery in Laois through the community recognition fund, but that is coming from the communities themselves. Over €2 million was allocated across 2023 and 2024. There were 48 projects in 2023, 43 of which have been completed. Ninety-nine percent of the 2023 allocation has been drawn down. Under the fund for 2024, €1,012,996 was approved for eight projects. I look forward to the early drawdown of the funding for those projects.
As the Deputy said, the initiative is community led. It involves working with communities in the towns that propose projects in engagement with their local authorities. It involves very good expenditure and I want to make sure now that the money is all drawn down and the projects are delivered. I do not want to announce projects but not see them delivered on the ground. It is essential that they be delivered and that is going to be our focus now.
All the work in County Laois is near completion and the next round is awaited anxiously. At least seven or eight groups would be disappointed if they thought they would not be included, and that is why I am asking for such an important fund to be extended into 2025.
I support everything said about the local improvement schemes. They are most important to rural counties, and my county is a rural one, as the Minister knows. The Minister and Minister of State should both remember that the people who can benefit from local improvement schemes are those who are paying their household charges. They are entitled, at least, to have the roads done.
Several groups of got funding under the community recognition fund, which is absolutely sound, but there is an issue in that two applications made by Louth County Council were refused. When I compare them with others, I am not entirely sure why they were refused. I ask that the Minister examine them. They relate to St. Patrick’s Day and Christmas. The council is involved in long-term festivals. Louth County Council decided that the applications were legitimate and submitted them. It saw amounts of money similar to what it required provided in other areas. This needs to be examined.
I ask that the community gardens project in Muirhevnamore be considered. It is for the next round. It involves an absolutely brilliant piece of work, in an urban setting, that allows people to have allotments and all those things we like and need to see a lot more of.
I am aware of the case. We have given feedback to Louth County Council on why the two applications could not proceed. However, the council has not lost any money as a consequence. It is important that it has been asked to submit alternative projects or further details on the proposed projects. The next project the Deputy mentioned, the community garden, is being assessed, and I will keep the Deputy informed about progress.
It is very important to note that no money is being lost by Louth County Council as a consequence of the two projects not proceeding. We have engaged with the council on why there is concern in the Department about the projects.
Departmental Schemes
Pa Daly
Ceist:83. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development for an update on the town and village renewal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14577/25]
I would like an update on the town and village renewal scheme. Will the Minister make a statement on that?
The town and village renewal scheme, which was introduced in 2016, has to date allocated over €177 million to almost 1,800 projects nationally. The scheme, which sees our local authorities work with community actors, primarily targets funding at rural towns and villages with populations of less than 10,000.
I am delighted to announce that the 2025 scheme has been opened for applications. The 2025 scheme is intended to support revitalisation and continue its work by focusing on stimulating town centre economic and social regeneration, along with the regeneration of villages. This will be achieved through projects that support sustainable employment, town centre resilience and regeneration, the enhancement of streetscapes, and the bringing of vacant and derelict buildings or lands back into use as community multipurpose spaces.
Under the 2025 scheme, there are three main funding streams available for project applications. Under what we call the main scheme, local authorities can submit applications for one project up to a value of €500,000 and for up to thee further projects with maximum values of €300,000. In addition, as part of a new development this year, counties with offshore islands or ceantair Ghaeltachta, tá cead acu application amháin eile de luach €300,000 a dhéanamh. The second stream is the project development measure that provides up to €50,000 to undertake the required planning and development work to underpin the development of successful projects. Finally, the building and land acquisition measure is available once again, following on from the success of the support provided in this area in recent years. This funding stream makes up to €500,000 available to each eligible local authority to purchase vacant or derelict buildings for later development as community facilities.
All the details of the 2025 scheme are available on my Department's website and my officials will continue to liaise with local authorities. I am happy to provide information to any Deputy who wishes to assist community groups in his or her area.
I thank the Minister for the reply. It will be particularly relevant to towns in Kerry, particularly Listowel, Dingle, Kenmare and Cahirciveen Since Covid, many people have been returning to rural towns to live. However, town centres in Kerry, maybe with the exception of Killarney, are under severe pressure. There is a lot of dereliction in them. Is the Minister satisfied with the progress made to date on the collecting of levies? He mentioned the derelict sites measure. There is a register that county councils are obliged to maintain. It seems Kerry County Council has not been active enough in commencing compulsory purchase orders. I see from the latest statistics available that zero sites were acquired by agreement in 2023, and zero sites were acquired compulsorily. There were levies of €231,000 but zero received for sites, and €979 in total was received. Therefore, there is an outstanding levy figure of €703,000. The authorities must act to use the schemes already in place if what is wanted is to renew the town centres.
I agree with the Deputy on that. There are powers available to local authorities under the Department of housing and local government and they should be used more. To assist in that regard, my Department has funded 26 town regeneration officers in local authorities. Their job is to drive the delivery of the town centre first programme, which entails a suite of supports for which we have allocated €4.5 million to regenerate town centres through a bottom-up approach.
It will allow for the development of a second phase of 26 town centre first plans, the establishment and development of town teams in smaller towns across the country and looking at that project development measure, which I referred to, as to the pipeline.
Within County Kerry, town and village renewal has funded the purchase and regeneration of the Sisters of St. Clare convent in Kenmare into a community space. It has funded public realm enhancement in Ballybunion of up to €250,000 and the redevelopment of the disused craft workshops around Blennerville Mill in the Deputy's own town up to €500,000. We refurbished the former Garda station in Moyvane as a community activity with €250,000. Sixty-seven projects have been funded to date under town and village renewal in Kerry, a lot of them with a town centre focus, but with the partnership between the project development manager and the town centre teams and town centre first, we can get to somewhere like where the Deputy describes.
I am glad the Minister brought up the town centre first approach because I see it was in the last programme for Government and it is in the current one. If it was the case there was a priority for town centre first, then the Department of Justice or the Courts Service would not be deciding to close the current courthouse in Tralee and to move it to another side of town without any plan to do anything at all with the building, which is right in the centre of town and has been there since the 1840s.
The current proposal is preposterous in my view. Rather than doing a job like was done in Kilkenny with a budget of €20 million odd for every new courthouse or rather than using an An Post depot that is for sale and refurbishing that or refurbishing the current courthouse, it is planned to close it down and move across to the Denny site, which has been given by the Kerry Group, while limiting any development there and not having any additional benefit to the town. It is not too late to reverse that decision but we will wait and see. I ask the Minister to talk to his colleagues in government about what can be done to do that.
Anything to do with town centre refurbishment and regeneration should be done on a cross-government basis. Under town and village renewal and under the building or land acquisition measure, there might be potential for Kerry County Council to look at doing something if that plan continues. We are absolutely committed to town centre first and getting plans in place to identify this kind of project in advance and to look at the use of buildings in advance so they do not just get landed on people without notice and there is some sort of a plan. The town regeneration officers, the town centre first suite of supports and the building or land acquisition measure under town and village renewal gives the possibility, opportunity and chance to do that.
As I said, we have previously funded the repurposing of courthouses. If Kerry County Council has a plan in relation to that building, I encourage it to discuss that. From the Department of Rural and Community Development, we have funded the employment of people within local authorities to apply for these plans and for the funding. It puts a huge pressure on local authorities and it requires a level of expertise but we have made that funding available to do that.
Gaeltacht Policy
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:84. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 92 of 10 October 2024, the status of the development of Caladh Mór pier on Inis Meáin; whether the independent consultant has been appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14536/25]
Táimid ar ais arís go dtí na hOileáin Árann agus an uair seo Inis Meáin agus An Caladh Mór. An cheist atá agam ná has the independent consultant been appointed and can the Minister give us details? I will use the 18 seconds to ensure there is no confusion between this question and the last question. It has clearly been reported they are about to start their work on the céibh in Inis Oírr in the autumn. The Minister might clarify that in due course if he can today, ar eagla na míthuisceana.
I will definitely come back to the Deputy later. It will not be before the end of this time but I will clarify that because I have had a number of conversations with officials around pier development while preparing for questions and I have asked for more information on all of them.
In relation to cúrsaí sa Chaladh Mór ar Inis Meáin, mar a dúirt mé leis an Teachta, is í Comhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe an t-údarás le haghaidh foirgnimh agus céanna ar na hOileáin Árann, Inis Meáin ina measc. I understand my Department gave approval to Galway County Council in December 2024 to proceed with the appointment of consultant engineers to develop the preliminary business case, incorporating a strategic assessment, for marine infrastructure improvement options on the island. Galway County Council confirmed to my Department at a meeting between officials, which was held on Wednesday, 12 March, that the independent consultant engineer has been appointed and has started work on the project. The assessment will examine all options that are available for improving the marine infrastructure on Inis Meáin, including piers for use by passenger and cargo ferry services.
I am advised the tender document explicitly included a series of requirements regarding public consultation and engagement with island representatives, ensuring that the entire community of Inis Meáin has input into this process. To that regard, Galway County Council held a public consultation day in Ionad Pobail Inis Meáin on 19 March to ensure all stakeholders and those living on the island were aware of the process being undertaken and were given the opportunity to express their views.
The consultants, together with representatives of Galway County Council, held meetings with various groups and business owners earlier that morning. The consultation was then open to all from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. to come in to discuss concerns or preferences for future infrastructure development. I understand the consultant engineers are due to complete their programme of work later this year. We will continue to engage with Galway County Council. I want this project to complete and progress as quickly as possible. I have asked for a report on the consultation day and the feedback that was received on that to be given to me as soon as possible.
I thank the Minister. The previous Minister took a hands-on approach on this and I am sure this Minister will too because of the utter frustration at the delay. If my frustration is evident, the Minister can imagine what we are enduring on Inis Meáin with business there - a number of businesses - and with the people on the ground. This was to be completed years ago and we are still at it.
I welcome the fact there was a public meeting. That was on 19 March of this year just gone.
Yes.
That is very welcome. The meetings that have taken place have been as a result of the previous Minister pushing the whole matter and taking a hands-on approach in relation to it.
For my understanding, is it the position that the consultants have been appointed and are doing a preliminary businesses case all over again regarding this project? When will that preliminary project be ready? You cannot imagine how many times I and colleagues from Galway West have stood up on the floor of this Dáil and then gone to meetings that are utterly frustrating because we do not know where we are going with it.
I know from discussing this with officials about the Deputy's interest in this and I know my predecessor, the then Minister, Heather Humphreys, drove this. Certainly, on the basis of discussions I have had, I am not happy it has taken so long and I intend to sit on it and drive it on as well.
The business case is expected to take around nine months. The work is under way but it is expected to take that time. There are a lot of complexities to this in relation to Caladh Mór agus an Céibh an Chóra. I am trying to get my head around all of those complexities as well. I can assure the Deputy I will work with her and work with colleagues of all parties there to ensure we progress this as quickly as possible and there are no further delays. I have asked for a report on the consultation day to be given to me as soon as possible in order that I can ensure the concerns that were expressed are captured within the business assessment process, they are not ignored and it was not just a box-ticking exercise. I absolutely agree with the Deputy. I cannot begin to imagine the frustration and anger of pobal Inis Meáin. Tá sé tábhachtach go bhfuil siad mar pháirt den fhreagra ar an bhfadhb seo.
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. Luaigh sé An Caladh Mór agus Céibh an Chóra, agus tá an ceart aige, ach ní thuigim cad atá tarlaithe. Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil castacht i gceist. Tá a fhios agam é sin agus ní saineolaí mé ach táimid ag dul timpeall i gciorcal an t-am uilig agus ar ais arís anois go dtí an tús agus an preliminary business case. Ar a laghad tá sé ráite ag an Aire anois gur naoi mhí atá i gceist. Nine months - a woman cannot hear the words nine months but we think of a pregnancy. Hopefully, at the end of the nine months there will be a delivery of something substantial in relation to this.
What is the further plan after the preliminary case is ready in nine months' time? I welcome the fact the Minister is going to take a hands-on approach. I do not look forward to the next meeting with muintir Inis Meáin agus an lucht gnó ansin. Tá siadsan thar a bheith corraithe ó thaobh an easpa dul chun cinn.
I do intend to go to Inis Meáin at some stage to see for myself, not just on the pier issue but on all island issues. The Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, and I will be working collectively as regards the islands. I understand a number of marine assessments and studies have been undertaken on the island over the past few years, including bathymetric surveys and a marine simulation exercise. The bathymetric surveys were carried out on both Céibh an Chóra agus an Caladh Mór. They were provided to the consultant engineers as part of their work. Also, they have been provided with the study that was carried out by the National Maritime College, Cork, as regards the marine simulation exercise. That simulated the type of vessel that will be used for passenger and cargo ferry services to the island. That data has been provided and will be given to determine the viable options to provide the most important thing, which is safe and accessible harbour facilities. I know the Deputy will be tabling this question every month and we will keep actively engaged on it in between Question Time as well.
Departmental Programmes
John Clendennen
Ceist:85. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there is a central set of criteria which apply under the local enhancement programme, given that the funding is decided at a local level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14607/25]
I wish both the Minister and the Minister of State well in their new roles. I ask if there is a central set of criteria which apply under the local enhancement programme, given that the funding is decided at a local level, and if the Minister will make a statement on the matter.
I congratulate Deputy Clendennen on his election.
The local enhancement programme is targeted towards enhancing facilities in disadvantaged communities identified in local economic and community plans. The programme seeks to provide small grants to a wide and diverse range of local community groups, to assist with the purchase of equipment and improvements or repairs to their facilities. Deputy Clendennen, as a former chair of the LCDC in his county, and being centrally leading in the administration of the LEP in Offaly, will recognise that 113 projects and 13 women's organisation to the tune of €186,553 were approved last year in Offaly. I thank Deputy Clendennen for his work on that.
The funding is administered locally by local community development committees across the country, with support from their local authorities. As Minister of State with responsibility for community, along with my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Calleary, we fully understand and recognise that community and voluntary organisations are at the heart of our country. We see it every day and we look at our Members across these Houses who advocate and support our community groups, and it is very important to what we do.
Since 2018, €65.9 million has been provided in funding for the programme, under various iterations, supporting over 23,000 community groups and organisations.
The 2025 local enhancement programme is a €7 million fund launched in November of last year. The funding consists of €6 million in capital supports and a further €1 million in current funding for community groups to assist with their energy and running costs. The funding can be used to support parish halls, community centres, local development associations, social clubs, senior citizens' groups, men's sheds, women's sheds and much more.
The local enhancement programme is designed to ensure that local priorities are identified and met. Given the local focus of the programme, the local community development committees are best placed to assess whether projects address local priorities and are targeted at addressing areas of disadvantage.
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Rialtas as an obair le deich mbliana anuas chun tacú le tuath na hÉireann. It is important to look at the last ten years and see the progress that has been made in rural Ireland, with the establishment of this very Department in providing a strategic plan, a focus and funding for every rural community. Through the Local Government Reform Act 2014, I have seen first-hand, through the establishment of the local community development committee and as a former chair, the difference it can make. However, none of this can be done without the support of volunteers, and it is important to recognise and acknowledge the work they do in every community right across Offaly and across the country. In Offaly today, the local community development committee will approve 213 grants under this scheme for 2025. It is a key support for successful groups, but there are some that did not qualify due to-----
Thank you, Deputy.
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as ucht an mhéid a dúirt sé mar gheall ar an Roinn.
My Department provides guidance to the local community development committees on the eligibility criteria. The guidelines require projects to be in keeping with the ethos of the programme. The Government is very much aware of the challenges facing community and voluntary groups and we are very much committed to supporting them. Both the Minister, Deputy Calleary, and I will work with community development committees to ensure that they qualify but also that we support them because, as I said, they are at the core of what we do in our towns and villages and in our rural and urban areas and they play a critical role. We would be lost without them as a country.
I ask that feedback might be taken from local authorities on the applications that were made and the sums that were sought versus what was actually allocated to see what shortfall there was, if any. It is important where good initiatives come forward that they get the full support of the Government and the State.
Second, there is a time element as regards the administration burden on local community groups. I ask that the Department give consideration to the establishment of a portal online that would allow the likes of community groups to upload all their credentials and documentation on the one occasion and that would be there as an ongoing record. I am conscious that some of these positions on local voluntary groups can be on a transient basis. A chair or a secretary could move on as well as the email address. We need to move to a position where we have generalised email addresses for committees. Also, if they have a portal identified, it ensures there is no breakdown. It also reduces the administration for local authority staff.
The Minister of State highlighted in his reply the funding for community centres. They recently had a round of the community centre funds announced. I want to ask a question about that with regard to an appeal mechanism on that. I had a parish hall in Newtown Cashel, County Longford, that was unsuccessful due to an error in a letter of comfort as regards the length of time the hall was available. Will there be an appeals mechanism on unsuccessful applications, particularly, as I said, since community centres play such a vital role in all our communities throughout rural Ireland?
Pobal has, as the Deputy knows, independently assessed the community centre investment fund. Information will be given back to the community centres in question and I will talk to the Deputy further after that.
As regards Deputy Clendennen's point, the idea of the portal is a good idea. He is right that people move on and there is a lacuna then and a burden of administration placed on the voluntary effort. I will talk to Deputy Clendennen with the Minister, Deputy Calleary, about the suggestion of the online portal because it is good and deserves merit.
Question No. 86 taken with Written Answers.
Men's Sheds
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:87. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will address the funding shortfall for men's sheds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14353/25]
I ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development to address the funding shortfall for Irish men's sheds, specifically following the loss of the IMSA sustainability grant, and to make a statement on the matter.
I thank the Deputy for his question about men's sheds. I absolutely agree that men's sheds have been a very positive development for communities across Ireland. They provide a safe, comfortable and inclusive environment where people can share skills, work on meaningful projects and connect with their communities. I am absolutely committed to supporting the work of men's sheds.
The programme for Government includes a commitment to continue to fund men's sheds. My Department currently provides a range of supports which are available to men's sheds. These include the €7 million local enhancement programme 2025, which allowed men's sheds to apply for running costs, as well as small capital works for their facilities; the SICAP; and the LEADER programme, where funding is not targeted at any particular group but focused on a thematic approach.
My Department also provides funding directly to the Irish Men's Sheds Association under the scheme to support national organisations to support administrative costs.
In previous years, ring-fenced funding was provided to the Irish Men's Sheds Association for distribution to its members. This funding followed on from proposals submitted by the IMSA. Late in 2024, my officials reached out to the Irish Men's Sheds Association regarding its funding requirements. It was advised that the IMSA was not in a position to submit a proposal for funding at that time but indicated that it would be in contact with my Department in 2025.
I will meet the Irish Men's Sheds Association along with the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, in the coming weeks to discuss its proposals and I will update the Deputy afterwards.
I am glad the Minister will meet with the Irish Men's Sheds Association, IMSA. It is a pity that when the Department reached out to them late last year, it was unable, but hopefully this will be sorted out and we will get proper, meaningful support for the many men's sheds throughout the country, especially in Tipperary. We have men's sheds in Clogheen, Carrick-on-Suir, Clonmel, Fethard, Mullinahone, Tiobraid Árann, Cashel and Thurles. They are tremendous organisations, and we cannot forget mná na hÉireann either. There are some women's sheds. We have one in Cahir town, Cathair Dhún Iascaigh. It is very important that this voluntary effort is supported by the Government.
The association is not looking for massive amounts of money. It just wants enough to keep going without having to do a lot of fundraising, which is stressful. I look forward to the Minister meeting with the national group. I hope this matter can be resolved. In fairness to the previous Minister, she was generous to the men's sheds. It is a pity this went off the track but I hope we can get it back on the line again.
Deputy Healy raised this issue with me last week. There is no issue. We have provided funding over recent years. We wanted to provide funding last year but were unable to find a mechanism to do so. The Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, and I will have a meeting with the Irish Men's Sheds Association. In the meantime, I refer the Deputy to the local enhancement programme. There was money in that for local men's sheds. That will be decided on in the coming weeks.
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