Written Answers Nos. 296-314
296. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new Garda recruits assigned to Coolock, Raheny, Clontarf and Howth Garda stations in 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30026/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.
I am informed by the Commissioner that in regard to the deployment of Garda personnel, a distribution model is used which takes into account all relevant factors including population, crime trends and the policing needs of each individual Garda Division. It is the responsibility of the Divisional Officer to allocate personnel within his/her Division.
I am further informed by the Commissioner that the Garda strength of the DMR North Division, on 30 April 2017, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 661. There are also 49 Garda Reserves and 42 civilians attached to the Division. When appropriate, the work of local gardaí is supported by a number of Garda national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.
This Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and to deter crime. To make this a reality for all, the Government has in place a plan to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians.
This plan is progressing apace. This year, funding has been provided for the recruitment of 800 Garda recruits and up to 500 civilians to support the wide-ranging reform plan in train in An Garda Síochána. Funding has also been provided for the recruitment of 300 Garda Reserves.
I am informed by the Commissioner, since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, that almost 1,000 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide, 75 of whom have been assigned to the DMR North Division. I am also informed that another 600 trainee Garda are scheduled to attest this year which will see Garda numbers, taking account of projected retirements, increase to around the 13,500 mark by year end - an increase of 500 since the end of 2016.
This focus on investment in personnel is critical. The moratorium on recruitment introduced in 2010 resulted in a significant reduction in the strength of An Garda Síochána. We are now rebuilding the organisation and providing the Commissioner with the resources she needs to allow her to deploy increasing numbers of Gardaí across every Garda Division, including the DMR North Division in the coming years.
In so far as the allocation of newly attested Gardaí is concerned, this is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. I am assured by the Commissioner that the needs of all Garda Divisions are fully considered when determining the allocation of resources. However, it is important to keep in mind that newly attested gardaí have a further 16 months of practical and class-room based training to complete in order to receive their BA in Applied Policing. To ensure that they are properly supported and supervised and have opportunities to gain the breadth of policing experience required, the Commissioner's policy is to allocate them to specially designated training stations which have the required training and development structures and resources in place, including trained Garda tutors and access to a permanently appointed supervisory Sergeant who is thoroughly familiar with their responsibilities under the training programme.
This investment in personnel is complemented by substantial investment in resources across the board for An Garda Síochána. The Deputy will be aware of the significant resources that have been made available to An Garda Síochána under the Government's Capital Plan 2016 - 2021. In particular, some €205 million in additional funding for Garda ICT and €46 million for new Garda vehicles has been allocated over the lifetime of the plan. This investment will facilitate the provision of more effective policing services and I have no doubt that these new resources now coming on stream will see an increase in Garda visibility in our communities.
I have requested the specific information sought by the Deputy from the Commissioner and I will write to her on receipt of same.
297. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí assigned to the drugs unit in the R district in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form. [30027/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.
This Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. To make this a reality for all, the Government has in place a plan to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. In 2017, funding has been provided for the recruitment of 800 Garda recruits and up to 500 civilians to support the wide ranging reform plan in train in An Garda Síochána. Funding has also been provided for the recruitment of 300 Garda Reserves.
This focus on investment in personnel is critical. The moratorium on recruitment introduced in 2010 resulted in a significant reduction in the strength of An Garda Síochána. We are now rebuilding the organisation and providing the Commissioner with the resources she needs to allow her to deploy increasing numbers of gardaí across the organisation including the Divisional Drugs Units. It is important to note that all gardaí have a responsibility in the prevention and detection of criminal activity whether it be in the area of drug offences or otherwise.
The investment in personnel is complemented by substantial investment in resources across the board for An Garda Síochána. The Deputy will be aware of the significant resources that have been made available to An Garda Síochána under the Government's Capital Plan 2016 - 2021. In particular, some €205 million in additional funding for Garda ICT and €46 million for new Garda vehicles has been allocated over the lifetime of the plan. This investment will facilitate the provision of more effective policing services and support An Garda Síochána in tackling illicit drug activity.
In 2015 the Commissioner established a new national Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau. The Bureau continues to lead out the policing strategy for tackling drugs by demand reduction and supply reduction strategies. In this regard the Bureau continues its policy of working with Divisional Drug Units nationwide in tackling supply reduction at local level. This work is further supported by other national units, including the Criminal Assets Bureau, in targeting persons involved in the illicit sale and supply of drugs. This approach allows for the co-ordinated use of Garda resources in tackling all forms of organised crime, including illicit drug activity nationwide. Multi-disciplinary approaches are also utilised to ensure that those involved in illicit activity are effectively targeted including through the use of the proceeds of crime legislation, money laundering legislation and the powers of the Criminal Assets Bureau. I am informed that this approach adopts good practice in implementing a co-ordinated use of Garda resources and in utilising available criminal law to its fullest extent in tackling all forms of organised crime, including drug trafficking.
Coolock, Malahide and Swords Garda stations form the R District which comes under the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) North Division. For ease of reference, I have provided the detailed information requested in relation the Drugs Unit in DMR North from 2011 to 30 April 2017, the latest date for which figures are readily available, as supplied by the Commissioner.
Drugs Unit Personnel 2011 - 2017
*Up to 30 April 2017
298. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if changes are being made in respect of payroll systems moving from the financial shared services centre in Killarney, County Kerry to a centralised office in Dublin 6; if so, the way in which this will affect staff based in County Kerry; if it will result in a reduction of staff numbers and future recruitment numbers at the Kerry office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30033/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe payroll processing function previously carried out in the Department's Financial Shared Services Centre (FSS) in Killarney has transferred during the course of the last three years to a new payroll shared services centre (PSSC) under the auspices of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. This is in accordance with Government policy in relation to the use of shared service models. The PSSC is based in three locations, one of which is Kerry, and I am informed that staff who were engaged in work associated with payroll functions previously for this Department moved with the payroll processing work to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and continue to be located in Killarney. The numbers of staff engaged is based on business need and Government policy in relation to recruitment.
299. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if extra gardaí will be allocated to the relevant districts in order to ensure new stations are opened without impacting on existing Garda levels further to news that several Garda stations will be reopened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30036/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra300. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if extra gardaí will be provided to the Balbriggan district in order to reopen Rush Garda station; if the station will be reopened using existing gardaí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30037/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 299 and 300 together.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, the effective and efficient use of the resources available to An Garda Síochána, including personnel and their distribution among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Síochána District and Station Rationalisation Programme gave rise to the closure of some 139 Garda stations, in 2012 and 2013, following the completion by An Garda Síochána of a comprehensive review of its district and station network. That review was undertaken with the objective of identifying opportunities to introduce strategic reforms to enhance service delivery, increase efficiency and streamline practices within the organisation. I have been advised by the Garda authorities that the closures have allowed front-line Garda to be managed and deployed with greater mobility, greater flexibility and in a more focused fashion, particularly with regard to targeted police operations.
The Programme for Government commits the Government to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and to deter crime. Revisiting the decisions made to close Garda stations is also part of that commitment.
In this context, the Government on 24 June 2016 authorised the then Minister to request the Garda Commissioner, while fully cognisant of her statutory functions, to identify 6 stations for reopening on a pilot basis to determine possible positive impacts that such openings will have on criminal activity, with special emphasis on burglaries, theft and public order. The Commissioner's second interim report was considered by Government on 13 June 2017 when it agreed in principle to the reopening of Stepaside Garda station on a pilot basis as soon as any necessary preparatory works have been completed. The Government also agreed that a decision in relation to the proposed reopening of Rush, Leighlinbridge and Donard stations will be taken when a final report is received from the Commissioner.
This Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country. To make this a reality for all, the Government has in place a plan to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians.
This plan is progressing apace. This year, funding has been provided for the recruitment of 800 Garda recruits and up to 500 civilians to support the wide-ranging reform plan in train in An Garda Síochána. Funding has also been provided for the recruitment of 300 Garda Reserves.
I am informed by the Commissioner, since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, that almost 1,000 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide. I am also informed that another 600 trainee Garda are scheduled to attest this year which will see Garda numbers, taking account of projected retirements, increase to around the 13,500 mark by year end - an increase of 500 since the end of 2016.
This focus on investment in personnel is critical. The moratorium on recruitment introduced in 2010 resulted in a significant reduction in the strength of An Garda Síochána. We are now rebuilding the organisation and providing the Commissioner with the resources she needs to allow her to deploy increasing numbers of gardaí across every Garda Division.
301. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the residency status and eligibility to apply for regularisation of status in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30058/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person referred to is the subject of a Deportation Order made on 28th June 2004 and therefore has no entitlement to residency in the State.
Representations were received on behalf of the person concerned pursuant to Section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), to revoke the Deportation Order. The Deputy might wish to note that any such decision will be to ‘affirm’ or to ‘revoke’ the existing Deportation Order. In the meantime, the Deportation Order remains valid and in place.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
302. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated full year cost of ten projects for targeted youth similar to that of the Garda youth diversion model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30078/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy might recall that a reply to a similar question to this was provided on 3 May 2017. In that reply it was stated that €1.25m per annum is being made available from the Dormant Accounts Fund to support the operation of ten new Garda Youth Diversion Projects (GYDPs) established in 2015/2016 i.e. €125,000 per project. The average amount of funding provided to GYDPs nationwide is similar.
The amount of funding allocated to each Garda Youth Diversion Project may vary depending on a number of factors. These include the number of participants on a project, the number of youth justice workers employed, the particular programmes and interventions planned for project participants based on a completed risk and needs assessment, and the overheads of the project such as rent, insurance, utilities costs, etc.
303. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Cabinet approval for the reopening of the Garda station at Leighlinbridge, County Carlow, the timeframe for works needed to bring the station back into operation; the resources that will be available to operate the station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30103/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will appreciate that the programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close cooperation with the Office of Public Works, which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation, and I, as Minister, have no role in these matters.
The Deputy will be aware that, on 24 June 2016, the Government authorised the then Minister to request the Garda Commissioner, while fully cognisant of her statutory functions, to identify 6 stations for reopening on a pilot basis to determine possible positive impacts that such openings will have on criminal activity, with special emphasis on burglaries, theft and public order.
On 13 June 2017, the Government considered the second interim report of the Garda Commisisoner in relation to the exercise. The Commissioner, has indicated that, amongst other things, she is likely, subject to further analysis, to recommend the reopening of Leighlinbridge station in her final report.
Following any decision to reopen the former station, the Garda authorities will work closely with the Office of Public Works in relation to any necessary preparatory works required to progress the reopening. The question of the allocation of Garda personnel to the station will be a matter for the Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of Garda resources among the various Garda Divisions.
304. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated cost of remedying all the orange and red highlighted areas outlined by a person (details supplied) in the first report of the chair of the implementation group on the comprehensive employment strategy for people with disabilities. [30105/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities sets out a ten-year approach to ensuring that people with disabilities who are able to, and want to, work are supported and enabled to do so. The Strategy is a cross-Government approach that brings together actions by different Departments and State agencies in a concerted effort to address the barriers and challenges that impact on employment of people with disabilities. In tandem with that, it seeks to ensure there will be joined-up services and supports at local level to support individuals on their journey into and in employment.
The Strategy is monitored and overseen by the Comprehensive Employment Strategy Implementation Group under an independent chair. The key issue in relation to the implementation of the Strategy is the co-ordination of departmental efforts in this area, and therefore, while individual actions in the Strategy may have additional cost implications which will require to be included in the Votes of the relevant Departments, taken as a whole, the focus in the Strategy is on better co-ordination and use of existing resources, rather than on additional funding allocations.
305. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount of Leader funding allocated to each county council annually in each of the years 2014 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form. [29555/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s LEADER programme 2014-2020 has a total budget of €250 million over the lifetime of the programme. €220 million of this funding has already been allocated to Local Action Groups throughout the country who deliver the LEADER programme. The remaining €30 million is available for schemes which will be delivered at a national level. The allocated funding was not distributed to County Councils; rather it has been allocated to 28 LEADER sub-regional areas in Ireland, and will be delivered by the Local Action Groups (LAGs) selected in each respective area.
The sub-regional areas are, in the main, aligned with the county boundaries. However, Co. Cork is divided into 3 sub-regional areas. The allocation for each sub-regional area is provided for the duration of the Programme rather than on an annual basis. This provides greater flexibility to the LAGs in managing their resources.
Table 1 details the allocations to LAGs in each county and the expenditure incurred in each county each year to date under the LEADER 2014-2020 Programme. This expenditure commenced in 2015 and relates to preparatory support payments for the preparation of Local Development Strategies in each area and to the administration and animation costs incurred by the LAGs in the delivery of the Programme.
No project expenditure has yet been incurred under the LEADER 2014-2020 programme. However, the LAGs are currently concluding calls for proposals and are working with potential applicants to develop and finalise project applications in each LEADER sub-regional area. I understand that more than 4,800 expressions of interest from potential applicants, with an estimated value of over €200 million, have been recorded on the LEADER ICT system.
In addition, I have recently written to all of the LAGs and Local Development Companies, outlining changes that the Department intends to introduce to improve administrative processes under the programme, with immediate effect in some instances.
I am confident that progress now being made by the LAGs, along the administrative changes being introduced, will result in a significant increase in project approvals and payments under LEADER over the coming months.
Table 1: LEADER 2014-2020 Allocations and Expenditure
306. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the cost of bog compensation in each of the years 2012 to 2016 and to date in 2017, by county, in tabular form. [29454/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme was established in 2011 to compensate active turf cutters for their loss arising from the cessation of turf cutting on raised bog special areas of conservation. This scheme is comprised of a payment of €1,500 per annum, index-linked, for 15 years, or relocation, where feasible, to a non-designated bog, together with a once-off incentive payment of €500. In 2014, the scheme was extended to raised bog natural heritage areas. Details of the expenditure on compensation under the Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme since its inception are set out in the following table, on a county by county basis. Some raised bog protected sites straddle two or more counties and this is reflected in the table.
This expenditure, totalling €23.051 million, is comprised of amounts paid in respect of annual payments, lump sum relocation payments, turf deliveries, once-off incentive payments and direct relocation costs. The figures do not include the centralised expenditure associated with relocation to non-designated bogs such as site assessment costs, infrastructure costs and costs associated with planning permission requirements for relocation sites.
307. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her views on the recommendations of the report from the Moore Street consultation group; and the recommendations she accepts and rejects, respectively. [29577/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra308. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason for excluding some campaigning groups (details supplied) from the Moore Street consultative and advisory groups. [29578/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra322. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason a group (details supplied) was not included in the consultative and advisory group on Moore Street. [29825/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra323. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason a group (details supplied) was not included in the consultative and advisory group on Moore Street. [29826/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra324. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason an association (details supplied) founded in 1926 was not included in the consultative and advisory group on Moore Street. [29827/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra325. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she accepts the consultative group's report on Moore Street; if she accepts all of its recommendations; and the recommendations that she does not accept. [29828/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 307, 308, 322 to 325, inclusive, together.
I refer the Deputy to the replies to Questions Nos. 60 and 64 on 20 June 2017
I am grateful to all campaign groups that have contributed to the discussions on the future of Moore Street. I am advised that all three groups referred to by the Deputies were invited to make submissions that were taken subsequently into account by the Moore Street Consultative Group in its report. As recommended by that report, one of the functions of the new Moore Street Advisory Group is to liaise with interested parties which will allow these campaign groups to continue to input to the new phase of the process that is now underway.
309. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the legal costs to date in 2017 regarding the demolition of the Moore Street historical site; the estimated cost if it is heard in the Court of Appeal and in the Supreme Court; and the Department that will incur those costs. [29579/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra326. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount it has cost in legal fees to date in 2017 to challenge the High Court ruling against the Minister and a company (details supplied) of March 2016; the origin of the moneys used; the amount to which her Department has costed the case if it is heard in the Court of Appeal or in the Supreme Court; and the location from which that finance is coming. [30006/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 309 and 326 together.
The cost of the legal proceedings, and any award of related liabilities, will only be determined when the ongoing appeals against the High Court judgments have been finally concluded. Accordingly, any discussion of costs, and on whom they might be levied, would be entirely premature and speculative at this stage.
310. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the financial support given by the State in the form of grants to property developers in Moore Street. [29580/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra327. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount the State has given in grants to property developers in Moore Street regarding the national 1916 historical monument. [30007/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 310 and 327 together.
No such grants have been made by my Department.
311. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the staffing complement of her Department in whole-time equivalents as at the end of 2016. [29598/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that the staffing complement of my Department at year end 2016 was 607.40 in whole-time equivalents.
312. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the specific functions and State agencies that will be under the aegis of her new Department; and when the ministerial briefing will be published and downloadable on her Department's website for the new Department. [29617/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of the existing functions of the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs are available on my Department's website. Following the announcement, by An Taoiseach in his speech in his speech to Dáil Éireann on 14 June 2017, of the establishment of a new Department of Rural and Community Affairs, I can confirm that all existing functions other than those relating to Regional and Rural affairs will remain under the aegis of my Department.
In the context of this announcement, An Taoiseach noted the enormous success of the Decade of Commemorations and so far with Creative Ireland, and went on to state that he wished a new emphasis and importance to be attached to the promotion of arts, culture and heritage in Ireland. An Taoiseach also announced that he was appointing the Chief Whip to the role of Minister of State for Gaeilge and the Gaeltacht, to pursue the promotion, learning and use of Irish and to be a voice at the Cabinet table for the first national language.
Officials in my Department are now working with other relevant Departments to give effect to the changes announced. It is anticipated that my Department will retain responsibility for all existing public bodies under its aegis, with the exception of the Western Development Commission which will come under the aegis of Minister Ring's new Department.
Briefing prepared in relation to the existing Department will be published on the Department’s website over the coming days.
313. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the projects approved under CLÁR measures in 2017, by county, in tabular form; the funding allocated for each such approved project; the total number of projects that were not approved by county; the reason they were refused; and if there is an appeal mechanism in place to appeal refusal decisions. [29618/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2017 CLÁR programme was launched on 31st March last, with a closing date of 5th May. The programme provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects in disadvantaged rural areas that have experienced significant levels of depopulation. Funding for the 2017 CLÁR programme was available this year under four separate Measures:
Measure 1: Support for School and Community Safety Measures
Measure 2: Play Areas
Measure 3: Targeted Community Infrastructure
Measure 4: First Responder Supports
Over 500 applications were received across the four Measures to the value of €15 million. In recent weeks, 231 successful projects were announced, with a total of just under €7 million allocated across the four Measures.
The following table outlines the number of projects received, approved and unsuccessful for each county. The full list of approved projects including their funding allocation, by county, is available on my Department’s website at http://www.ahrrga.gov.ie/rural/rural-development/clar-2016/.
Funding to support projects under CLÁR this year was limited and it was not possible to fund all applications. In general, applications were assessed on the basis of their eligibility under the scheme criteria and on the quality of the documentation supporting their proposals, as required in the scheme guidelines. There is no appeals mechanism in place in relation to unsuccessful applications.
The CLÁR programme is an important part of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development, and makes a huge contribution to supporting the most depopulated areas in rural Ireland. Over 800 projects have now been approved for funding since the scheme was relaunched last year.
Table 1 - CLÁR 2017: Numbers of Projects by County
314. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her plans to revise the existing administrative process for the allocation of Leader 2014-2020 funding including the role of LCDCs in the process and revert back to the administrative model that pertained under the 2007-2013 RDP; and if changes would require approval at EU level to achieve this. [29619/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe selection of LEADER local development strategies, and by inference the selection of LEADER Local Action Groups, is subject to strict EU Regulatory requirements which mandate a transparent process, open to all interested parties. The Local Development Strategies and Local Action Groups were selected by an Independent Selection Committee. That process is now concluded, with Funding Agreements signed with 29 LEADER Local Action Groups for the duration of the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme.
Following on from that selection process, two separate models have emerged for the delivery of the LEADER 2014-2020 Programme in Ireland. The first of these models mirrors the approach used in the 2007-2013 programme where some Local Development Companies were successful in being selected as the LEADER Local Action Group. The second model is where the Local Community Development Committees were selected as the Local Action Group, with the Local Development Companies from the 2007-2013 programme administering much of the programme on their behalf. In both models, the Local Development Companies continue to be the primary point of engagement for potential applicants under the LEADER programme.
I do not have the authority, under EU rules, to unilaterally remove one of the delivery models and appoint new Local Action Groups. In any event, the merits of one model over the other was not an issue raised by stakeholders at the LEADER forum which I hosted on 17th May last. The forum was held with participants from all of the Local Action Groups and the Local Development Companies delivering LEADER, to explore the issues of concern to them and to identify potential solutions aimed at streamlining the current administrative and application procedures under the programme.
The forum, which was attended by more than 70 people, was very productive and participants identified a number of areas where they felt procedures could be streamlined and where the burden on project applicants could be reduced.
My officials have reviewed all of the contributions made at the forum and have identified a list of 31 Action Points which I am committed to implementing in order to improve administrative procedures, in partnership with the Local Action Groups and Local Development Companies in many instances. I have written to all of the Local Action Groups and Local Development Companies, outlining these improvements.
The changes being introduced will improve the administrative processes associated with the delivery of the LEADER programme to the benefit of rural communities throughout the country, and I expect to see a substantial increase in project approvals throughout the rest of the year.
