Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 May 2016
208. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government where he will locate the sections currently located in the environment section of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. [11440/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra209. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to which Departments the environment functions of his Department have passed; if he has successfully split all of the functions of the former Department or if he has dispensed with any of its functions. [11581/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 208 and 209 together.
Responsibility for the environment functions, including climate change, will transfer to a new Department of Climate Change, Communications and Natural Resources. The marine planning and foreshore functions will remain with my Department.
In relation to the community portfolio, responsibility for, inter alia, the LEADER programme; the CLÁR programme; an expanded Town and Village Renewal Scheme; the TidyTowns scheme; the Western Development Commission; the implementation of the report of the Commission on the Economic Development of Rural Areas; the dormant accounts fund and social enterprise will rest with a new Department of Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts & the Gaeltacht.
Responsibility for the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) and other community-related functions including the PEACE programme; the scheme to support national organisations; support for volunteering and the Forum on Philanthropy and Fundraising will remain with my Department.
The statutory transfer of functions process to give effect to these changes in respect of the environment and community portfolios is under way.
