Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 February 2012
191 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent or scale of grant aid available to him for disbursement to community groups or local authorities throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6167/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraA key principle underlying my Department's community programmes is to enable communities themselves to identify and address social and economic needs and problems in their own areas. There is a particular focus on supporting communities that are vulnerable, disadvantaged or under threat, and an adherence to the values of local participation.
My Department is responsible for a range of programmes to support communities. These include the:
1. Local and Community Development Programme, which tackles poverty and social exclusion in disadvantaged communities;
2. Supports for the Community and Voluntary Sector, which foster vibrant, sustainable and inclusive communities through a range of Programmes;
3. Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 which implements measures to improve the quality of life in rural areas and facilitate the diversification of the rural economy;
4. RAPID (Revitalising Areas by Planning, Investment and Development), a Government initiative which targets the most disadvantaged urban areas and provincial towns in the country;
5. Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund, which assists small scale, local, non-profit environmental projects aimed at increasing environmental awareness and developing sustainable communities; and
6. Social Inclusion Units — located in 16 Local Authorities.
Local and Community Development Programme
The objective of the Local and Community Development Programme is to tackle poverty and social exclusion through partnership and constructive engagement between Government and its agencies and people in disadvantaged communities. The Programme is managed by Pobal on behalf of my Department and delivered at a local level by the nationwide network of Local Development Companies. Funding of €55.157m has been provided under the Programme for 2012.
I am confident that the 2012 budget allocation will allow for the continuation of important supports for people in disadvantaged communities and will allow for the key, essential, front-line services delivered through the Programme to be maintained for 2012. I am also confident that the adjustment to the Programme has been structured to protect front-line services and supports at the expense of administration, overheads and ancillary costs.
Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector
This Scheme is to provide multi-annual funding to national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. Priority is to be given under this Scheme to supporting national organisations which provide direct services to disadvantaged target groups. Under The scheme to support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector some €4m is allocated to 64 national organisations per annum for core costs (salaries and related overheads). This is a two and a half year funding scheme and will not be open for application until 2014.
Community and Voluntary Forums In line with the commitment in the White Paper Supporting Voluntary Activity funding is provided to local authorities to support the operation of the Community and Voluntary Fora established as part of the County/City Development Board process. €600,000 is also available to disburse between 34 Community and Voluntary Fora.
Seniors Alert Scheme
My Department manages the Seniors Alert Scheme which encourages and assists the community's support for older people by means of a community-based grant scheme to improve the security of people over 65 years of age. The Scheme is administered by local community and voluntary groups with the support of my Department. Grant support is available towards the purchase and installation of personal monitored alert systems (pendant alarms) and other items to improve the safety and security of the home (including monitored smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, internal emergency lighting and external security lighting).
Rural Development Programme
My Department also funds the LEADER elements (Axes 3 and 4) of the Rural Development Programme Ireland 2007-2013. LEADER funding under this Programme supports improvements to the quality of life in rural areas and the diversification and development of the rural economy. Of the total €427 million public funding available, almost €235 million will come from the European Union. The LEADER elements of the Programme are being implemented at a local level by 35 Local Action Groups throughout the country.
The measures funded and eligibility of activities under the Programme include inter alia :
Diversification into non-agricultural activities for farm families — €16.66m — eligible activities include the development of niche tourism and educational services such as arts and crafts, speciality food provision, open farms, etc.
Support for business creation and development — €48.26m — funding can be provided to promoters wishing to start a new business or expand an existing enterprise.
Encouragement of tourism activities — €45.4m — eligible activities include the maintenance of vernacular features in a way that protects the heritage of the features, e.g. disused railway lines and canal towpaths.
Basic services for the economy and rural population — €49.61m — Funding is available for the identification and provision of appropriate cultural and leisure facilities to local communities, which would not otherwise be available to them.
Village renewal and development — €54.2m — eligible activities include environmental upgrading of parks, civic areas, river walks, access to facilities and amenities and farmers markets.
Conservation and upgrading of the rural heritage — €53.85m — funding is available for actions including alternative or renewable energy actions addressing suitability of new technologies to meet community energy needs, environmental initiatives aimed at waste reduction, actions to protect and restore the amenity value of local watercourses and high value nature areas, etc.
Training and information on adapted and new skills — €29.45m — funding is available for training and the development of training facilities in rural areas (fixed or mobile).
Implementing co-operation projects — €10.7m — provides for transnational and inter-territorial actions, which would be eligible under the measures detailed above.
Skills acquisition and animation — €34.63m
Running Costs of Local Action Groups — €84.845m
RAPID
RAPID (Revitalising Areas by Planning, Investment and Development) is a Government initiative which targets the most disadvantaged urban areas and provincial towns in the country. The Programme aims to ensure that priority attention is given to tackling the spatial concentration of poverty and social exclusion in RAPID areas nationally. The City/County Development Boards monitor the programme in each county.
In 2011, the Department provided for 50% of the salary costs of the 46 RAPID Co-ordinator positions nationally, with 50% being funded by the local authority in each case.
The Capital budget allocation for 2012 for RAPID is fully committed to existing projects.
Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund
My Department also provides funding (some €395,000 in 2011) through the Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund to assist small scale, local, non-profit environmental projects aimed at increasing environmental awareness and developing sustainable communities. Community groups can apply for funding for a variety of environmental projects including those relating to recycling, composting or reusing waste. Application for funding is made to local authorities who match the funding provided by the Department.
Social Inclusion Units
My Department provides funding for 50% of the salary cost of Social Inclusion Units currently located in 16 local authorities throughout the country. A funding allocation of €720,000 has been made available for 2012. The main role of the units is to support the local authorities' involvement in tackling social exclusion across a range of their activities in a cohesive and focused manner.
