Written Answers Nos. 1356-1372
1356. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to review the CLÁR areas based on the result of the 2016 census; if so, when this review will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15550/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe CLÁR programme was originally launched in October 2001 to provide for targeted investment in disadvantaged rural areas. The areas originally selected for inclusion in the programme were those which suffered the greatest population decline from 1926 to 1996, with the exception of the Cooley Peninsula which was included on the basis of the serious difficulties caused in that area by Foot and Mouth disease. The average population loss in the original CLÁR regions over the period 1926 to 1996 was 50%.
In 2006, an analysis of the 2002 Census data was carried out by the National Institute for Regional and Spatial Analysis (NIRSA) at Maynooth University and the programme was extended to include areas with an average population loss of 35% between 1926 and 2002.
CLÁR was effectively closed to new applications in 2010 due to the economic crisis but, as the Deputy will be aware, I reopened the programme in 2016. Areas for inclusion in the programme since then have been based on NIRSA's 2006 analysis.
Almost 900 projects have been approved for CLÁR funding in 2016 and 2017, and I have recently launched the 2018 CLÁR programme which has a closing date of 30 April.
It is my intention to carry out a full assessment of the CLÁR areas later this year on the basis of the 2016 Census of Population data. The rate of depopulation will continue to be a primary factor in deciding whether the CLÁR designation should apply to an area. I plan to begin the assessment process in the coming months with the aim of having the exercise completed before the end of this year.
The findings of the review will inform the future operation of the CLÁR scheme.
1357. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the population of the CLÁR area in each county based on the 2006 census, in tabular form; the disbursements in each county to date under the 2016 CLÁR programme and the 2017 CLÁR programme, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15551/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe attached table provides a breakdown of:
- the 2006 population in CLÁR areas by county, based on the 2006 Census data as provided in an analysis carried out by NIRSA (National Institute for Regional Spatial Analysis), and
- the allocations and disbursements by county under CLÁR in 2016 and 2017.
The Deputy will note that Counties Dublin, Kildare and Wexford had no designated CLÁR areas in 2006.
|
County |
2006 Population in CLÁR Areas |
2016 CLÁR allocation |
Total amount paid CLÁR 2016 Scheme |
2017 CLÁR Allocation |
Total amount paid CLÁR 2017 Scheme as at 31st March 2018 |
|
Carlow |
3,180 |
€80,000 |
€80,000 |
€178,760 |
€156,444 |
|
Cavan |
51,929 |
€498,184 |
€498,184 |
€310,182 |
€273,579 |
|
Clare |
48,787 |
€284,000 |
€284,000 |
€351,733 |
€285,350 |
|
Cork |
87,909 |
€562,222 |
€562,222 |
€260,916 |
€647,638 |
|
Donegal |
68,771 |
€878,633 |
€878,633 |
€245,482 |
€157,442 |
|
Dublin |
|||||
|
Galway |
68,003 |
€392,000 |
€392,000 |
€611,539 |
€566,945 |
|
Kerry |
75,982 |
€744,964 |
€744,964 |
€261,173 |
€168,017 |
|
Kildare |
|||||
|
Kilkenny |
8,773 |
€223,000 |
€223,000 |
€161,932 |
€107,030 |
|
Laois |
10,015 |
€148,900 |
€148,900 |
€51,395 |
€51,395 |
|
Leitrim |
28,950 |
€274,800 |
€274,800 |
€486,153 |
€419,000 |
|
Limerick |
22,311 |
€235,000 |
€235,000 |
€180,533 |
€165,428 |
|
Longford |
23,239 |
€237,560 |
€237,560 |
€283,467 |
€200,484 |
|
Louth |
8,632 |
€173,520 |
€173,520 |
€245,869 |
€63,329 |
|
Mayo |
88,811 |
€976,869 |
€976,869 |
€879,882 |
€600,480 |
|
Meath |
4,180 |
€127,600 |
€127,600 |
€104,000 |
€67,000 |
|
Monaghan |
31,422 |
€356,440 |
€356,440 |
€594,338 |
€337,156 |
|
Offaly |
4,916 |
€123,398 |
€123,398 |
€186,954 |
€185,665 |
|
Roscommon |
45,011 |
€406,497 |
€406,497 |
€372,441 |
€321,273 |
|
Sligo |
29,563 |
€598,400 |
€598,400 |
€351,216 |
€253,236 |
|
Tipperary |
33,884 |
€371,000 |
€371,000 |
€250,714 |
€240,178 |
|
Waterford |
13,322 |
€261,600 |
€261,600 |
€329,549 |
€322,368 |
|
Westmeath |
11,171 |
€214,280 |
€214,280 |
€81,097 |
€57,549 |
|
Wexford |
|||||
|
Wicklow |
1,744 |
€70,000 |
€70,000 |
€133,025 |
€104,886 |
|
Total |
770,505 |
€8,238,867 |
€8,238,867 |
€6,912,350 |
€5,751,871 |
1358. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 540 of 8 March 2018, when the next six-monthly progress report will be published on the Realising our Rural Potential: The Action Plan for Rural Ireland; the reason this report was not published in time and is now two months overdue; the reason this Deputy was informed that it would be published soon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15555/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Action Plan for Rural Development contains over 270 measures for delivery across a range of Government Departments, State agencies and other organisations, to support the economic and social development of rural Ireland.
Progress updates on each of these actions were collated from the various implementing bodies at the start of this year for inclusion in the Second Progress Report on the Action Plan. However, for the sake of completeness, a number of these reports required to be updated to reflect full-year statistical data for 2017 which subsequently became available, as well as to take account of new commitments under the National Development Plan.
The Second Progress Report on the Action Plan for Rural Development will be submitted to Government in the coming weeks, prior to publication.
1359. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to implement the recommendations of the review of Comhairle na Tuaithe which was completed in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15561/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, an independent review of Comhairle na Tuaithe and the Countryside Recreation Strategy was carried out in 2016 to assess, inter alia, the current appropriateness and effectiveness of the body in an evolving outdoor recreation sector.
I met with the members of Comhairle na Tuaithe on 13th February last to hear directly from them their views on the recommendations of the independent review, the future direction of Comhairle, and the development of the outdoor recreation sector in Ireland generally. The meeting was very constructive in helping me to formulate proposals for the future development of the sector.
I am currently finalising my policy proposals in the context of a wider focus on the development of the rural recreation sector and I intend to outline these proposals to Comhairle na Tuaithe in the coming weeks.
1360. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the dates of all the meetings of Comhairle na Tuaithe that were held since March 2011; the number of those attended by the relevant Minister or Minister of State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15562/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTable 1 below provides details of the dates of meetings of Comhairle na Tuaithe which were held since March 2011.
I can confirm that the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government attended the meeting of Comhairle on 9th December 2013.
I attended the meeting of the Comhairle members on 13th February this year.
As the Deputy is aware, my Department currently provides the Chair and secretariat support for Comhairle Na Tuaithe. A Principal Officer within my Department chairs the meetings at which the group discusses matters relating the implementation of the priorities as set out in the National Countryside Recreation Strategy, rural recreation, activity tourism and other related issues of interest as they arise.
I expect that a further meeting of Comhairle na Tuaithe will be convened in the coming weeks.
Table 1 - Comhairle na Tuaithe Meeting Dates
|
YEAR |
DATE |
|
2011 |
5th October |
|
|
7th December |
|
2012 |
8th February |
|
|
4th April |
|
|
20th September |
|
|
6th December |
|
2013 |
27th February |
|
|
13th June |
|
|
9th December |
|
2014 |
24th March |
|
|
12th June |
|
|
11th September |
|
|
3rd December |
|
2015 |
19th February |
|
|
4th June |
|
|
13th November |
|
2016 |
6th April |
|
|
30th November |
|
2017 |
24th January |
|
2018 |
13th February |
1361. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the approvals to date by each local action group of funding for projects under the LEADER programme; the amount of expenditure to date on projects by local action group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15567/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraLEADER is a multi-annual EU co-funded programme to support rural development. Ireland has an allocation of €250 million under the programme over the period 2014-2020, including both national and EU funding. The programme is administered by Local Action Groups (LAGs) which deliver funding in accordance with Local Development Strategies that have been agreed for each LAG area.
As of 15 April, 2018, 900 projects with a value of over €26.2 million have been approved for LEADER funding by the LAGs. A further 285 projects requesting over €16.1 million in funding are at various stages in the approval process. This funding will be drawn down as projects start to incur expenditure and submit payment claims.
Project payments amounting to €1,530,538.65 have been made up to April 15th 2018.
A breakdown of project approvals and project expenditure by each Local Action Group is provided at Appendix 1.
While the pace of approvals varies between Local Action Groups, I am confident that the progress made by the LAGs going forward in 2018, along with the administrative improvements which my Department introduced last year, will result in a significant increase in project approvals and payments under the LEADER programme over the coming months.
Appendix 1: Project Approvals and Payments as of 15th April 2018.
|
- |
-- |
Projects Approved |
Amount Paid |
|
Local Action Group |
No. |
Value (€) |
Value (€) |
|
Carlow |
14 |
1,040,008.72 |
98,664.16 |
|
Cavan |
15 |
834,353.54 |
0 |
|
Clare |
64 |
1,262,459.77 |
15,407.46 |
|
Cork North |
20 |
895,265.83 |
0 |
|
Cork South |
10 |
327,863.73 |
0 |
|
Cork West |
15 |
402,159.07 |
0 |
|
Donegal |
73 |
2,596,203.17 |
194,969.28 |
|
Dublin Rural |
23 |
555,103.98 |
26,218.50 |
|
Galway East |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Galway West |
6 |
92,554.17 |
0 |
|
Kerry |
119 |
2,124,935.17 |
8,562.27 |
|
Kildare |
10 |
282,492.48 |
0 |
|
Kilkenny |
33 |
891,175.45 |
79,849.16 |
|
Laois |
33 |
653,387.42 |
24,712.50 |
|
Leitrim |
20 |
498,252.21 |
0 |
|
Limerick |
51 |
1,977,772.31 |
0 |
|
Longford |
14 |
233,184.45 |
0 |
|
Louth |
21 |
261,386.87 |
23,882.08 |
|
Mayo |
43 |
1,674,113.47 |
187,625.08 |
|
Meath |
10 |
282,470.70 |
16,497.70 |
|
Monaghan |
20 |
1,022,262.22 |
77,933.63 |
|
Offaly |
52 |
1,052,654.47 |
193,600.36 |
|
Roscommon |
14 |
404,653.94 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
40 |
1,250,999.34 |
265,231.08 |
|
Tipperary |
65 |
1,638,091.05 |
69,900.00 |
|
Waterford |
25 |
1,899,074.96 |
173,586.85 |
|
Westmeath |
31 |
473,460.36 |
10,230.68 |
|
Wexford |
46 |
1,427,818.14 |
63,667.86 |
|
Wicklow |
13 |
238,614.97 |
0 |
|
Grand Total |
900 |
26,292,771.96 |
1,530,538.65 |
1362. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his views on the report on the community banking; the reason for the delay in publishing the report; if the delay is being caused by a disagreement between his Department and the Department of Finance on the content of the report; if so, the points of disagreement; if the publication of the report will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15927/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to investigate a new model of community banking for Ireland, including an investigation of the German Sparkassen model for the development of local public banks that operate within well-defined regions.
A project team comprising officials from my Department and the Department of Finance was established last year to progress this commitment. The project team carried out detailed research into the concept of a public banking model, with a particular focus on the Sparkassen model. In addition, a public consultation process, seeking views on the concept of a community banking model, ran for four weeks. A total of 16 replies from a range of stakeholders was received.
Additionally, there has been substantial engagement and a number of meetings held with Irish Rural Link and the Savings Bank Foundation for International Cooperation (SBFIC) - the international development wing of the Sparkassen group - on its proposal for a suggested model of local public banking in Ireland, based on the Sparkassen system.
The officials from both Departments took the time to carefully analysis the proposal, as well as to assess all the submissions received during the consultation process in order to make sure that all the ideas and opinions were captured and reflected in their report. The Departmental officials have finalised their report and have submitted their findings to the Minister for Finance and myself.
Both Minister Donohoe and I are in agreement with the findings and conclusions of the report. I anticipate that the report will be brought to Government in the next few weeks with a view to its publication.
1363. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the progress made since March 2011 regarding the roll-out of the mountain access project and in particular the roll-out of the project since August 2015 when the Comhairle na Tuaithe mountain access project toolkit was published in draft form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15991/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraComhairle Na Tuaithe (The Countryside Council) was established in February 2004 as a non-statutory body with a primary focus on the priority areas of:
- access to the countryside,
- developing a countryside code, and
- developing a countryside recreation strategy.
I understand that under a Comhairle na Tuaithe initiative, in 2011, a Mountain Access Scheme to facilitate access to the uplands for hill walking and similar activities was developed in two pilot areas; one at Mount Gable in Connemara and the other in the MacGillycuddy Reeks in Co Kerry.
In order to help progress the Mountain Access Scheme, SLR Consultants with the support of the former Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, South Kerry Development Partnership and Fáilte Ireland, were tasked with assessing the potential for structured permissive access to the MacGillycuddy Reeks uplands and to identify the most appropriate management structure to ensure the sustainable management of the integral environmental and cultural heritage of the Reeks, while providing long term clarity on permissive recreational access to the mountains.
On foot of the recommendations in the SLR report, a management Forum, whose job it was to oversee the implementation of the recommendations of the report, was established in the Kerry pilot area in 2014.
Comhairle na Tuaithe also established a Mountain Access Project Steering Group in 2014, which was tasked with reviewing progress in respect of the Mountain Access Pilots, developing signage for Mountain Access Pilot areas, and issues around a National Indemnity Scheme. During this time, tendering took place for the design of a mountain access logo, and mountain access signage and information panels for the two pilot areas, which are now in place.
The Kerry Forum continues to progress and has been very successful in sourcing funding under various programmes including the REDZ Programme in both 2015 and 2016, to carry out an extensive path repair programme and associated training.
I understand that in early 2018, the Forum was also successful in securing funding under the Locally Led Schemes operated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine which will provide a funding stream over the coming three years or so for further path repairs and other works.
As the Deputy is aware, the draft mountain access project toolkit was published in 2015. I believe that this toolkit, along with the learning from the operation of the MacGillycuddy Reeks mountain access management Forum, will inform important elements of my Department’s work as we move forward.
1364. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the grants for refurbishing old buildings in rural communities that were announced in the action plan for rural development will be available; the details of the scheme; the grant assistance which will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16008/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra1365. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 1527 of 16 January 2018, the status of the establishment of a pilot scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16035/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1364 and 1365 together.
A pilot scheme to encourage residential occupancy in rural towns and villages is currently being developed as part of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme which is administered by my Department. The pilot will consider ways in which properties that are currently not in use in town centres can be renovated to allow them to be used for residential purposes. This will help to rejuvenate town centres while also contributing to the housing needs of individuals.
I have established a Steering Group to oversee the design and delivery of the pilot scheme. The Steering Group is chaired by my Department, and involves a number of other key Departments and agencies, including the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Department of Finance, and the County and City Management Association which provides representation from the Local Authority sector.
Work in relation to developing the pilot scheme is ongoing and I hope to be in a position to announce details of the pilot scheme shortly.
1366. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the reason the gross expenditure for his Department was 35.5% behind schedule at the end of March 2018, including 71.1% behind profile on the capital expenditure and 27.5% on current expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16053/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra1367. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the capital and current expenditure to date in 2018 against profile by subhead in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16054/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1366 and 1367 together.
The Revised Estimates in respect of the Department of Rural and Community Development sets out gross capital expenditure of €87.5m and current expenditure of €144m in respect of my Department for 2018. The capital expenditure is supplemented by some €7.7m in respect of capital carried forward from 2017.
The figures referred to in the Deputy’s question are drawn from the Fiscal Monitor, which reflects the estimate of monthly expenditure.
I have set out in the attached table details of actual expenditure to end of March against profile (current (-23%) and capital (-65%)) as requested. These differ slightly from the figures referenced by the Deputy as they take account of payments made at the end of March which were not foreseen at the time of the compilation of the Fiscal Monitor figures.
Current expenditure was behind profile at end March largely due to timing differences in the payment of funding in respect of the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) (Subhead B4) which is distributed across Ireland’s 51 geographic SICAP Lots. Significant payments amounting to €9.5 million which were originally scheduled to be made in March were paid out in early April and will be reflected in the end-April expenditure report.
A significant portion of capital underspend against profile at the end of March relates to the Town and Village Scheme (Subhead A8), which funds capital projects administered by the Local Authorities. I am conscious of the particular demands which were placed on Local Authorities in the early months of this year in responding to severe weather emergencies and these may have been a contributory factor to the underspend. However, my Department is in regular contact with Local Authorities and other stakeholders with a view to accelerating activity on all capital schemes, including the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and I expect to see an increase in capital spending as the year progresses.
For example, while the LEADER programme also shows an underspend against profile to the end of March, the delivery of this programme on the ground is continuing to grow rapidly. At the end of March 2018, 852 projects with a value of over €24.3 million had been approved for funding by the LEADER Local Action Groups. More than 200 further projects were going through the approvals process. Payments will be made to all of these projects as they become operational and submit payment claims.
Finally, it should be noted that all figures provided are provisional, pending audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General. The Department is also in the process of building a financial system which will be incorporated into the Shared Services for Payroll and there may be some minor revisions to figures as that process is completed.
|
Current |
Profile |
Expenditure |
Difference |
|
V42 – GROSS |
53,631 |
41,510 |
-22.60% |
|
A - RURAL DEVELOPMENT & REGIONAL AFFAIRS |
2,058 |
1,551 |
-24.7% |
|
A.1 - ADMINISTRATION –PAY |
920 |
879 |
-4.5% |
|
A.2 - ADMINISTRATION - NON PAY |
289 |
32 |
-88.8% |
|
A.3 - DORMANT ACCOUNT MEASURES |
0 |
0 |
0.0% |
|
A.4 - WESTERN DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION |
369 |
331 |
-10.2% |
|
A.5 - NATIONAL RURAL DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES |
350 |
138 |
-60.6% |
|
A.7 - TIDY TOWNS COMPETITION |
0 |
0 |
0.0% |
|
A.9 - RURAL BROADBAND, REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
130 |
170 |
30.8% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
B - COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
50,602 |
39,343 |
-22.3% |
|
B.1 - ADMINISTRATION - PAY |
624 |
525 |
|
|
B.2 - ADMINISTRATION - NON PAY |
265 |
40 |
-84.8% |
|
B.3 - SUPPORTS FOR COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTARY SECTOR (NAT LOTT) |
4,426 |
5,262 |
18.9% |
|
B.4 - SICAP, LOCAL/REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT SUPPORTS (NAT LOTT) |
19,355 |
9,657 |
-50.1% |
|
B.5 - LOCAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEES (SUPPORT) |
80 |
87 |
8.8% |
|
B.6 - RAPID |
542 |
42 |
-92.3% |
|
B.7 - DORMANT ACCOUNTS MEASURES |
1,000 |
314 |
-68.6% |
|
B.8 - PROGRAMME FOR PEACE AND RECONCILIATION |
859 |
317 |
-63.1% |
|
B.9 - IRISH WATER SAFETY |
253 |
129 |
-49.0% |
|
B.10 - LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT AND ARCHIVE SERVICE |
187 |
41 |
-78.1% |
|
B.12 - COMMUNITY SERVICES PROGRAMME |
23,011 |
22,928 |
-0.4% |
|
B.13 - SOCIAL INCLUSION UNITS |
0 |
0 |
0.0% |
|
B.14 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION NETWORKS |
0 |
0 |
0.0% |
|
B.15 - OTHER SERVICES |
0 |
0 |
0.0% |
|
C - CHARITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY |
971 |
617 |
-36.5% |
|
C1 - ADMINISTRATION PAY |
0 |
0 |
|
|
C.2 - ADMINISTRATION - NON PAY |
0 |
0 |
0.0% |
|
C.3 - CHARITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY |
971 |
617 |
-36.5% |
|
- |
|
|
|
|
Capital |
Profile |
Expenditure |
Difference |
|
V42 - GROSS |
12,103 |
4,294 |
-65% |
|
A - REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT & REGIONAL AFFAIRS |
11,926 |
4,073 |
-66% |
|
A.2 - ADMINISTRATION - NON PAY |
41 |
77 |
87% |
|
A.3 - DORMANT ACCOUNT MEASURES |
0 |
0 |
0% |
|
A.5 - NATIONAL RURAL DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES |
279 |
632 |
127% |
|
A.6 - LEADER - RURAL ECONOMY SUB PROGRAMME |
3,908 |
2,647 |
-32% |
|
A.8 - TOWN AND VILLAGE REGENERATION |
7,589 |
647 |
-91% |
|
A.9 - RURAL BROADBAND, REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
109 |
70 |
-36% |
|
A.10 - LOCAL IMPROVEMENT SCHEMES |
0 |
0 |
0% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
B - COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
177 |
221 |
25% |
|
B.2 - ADMINISTRATION - NON PAY |
0 |
44 |
0% |
|
B.6 - RAPID |
4 |
4 |
0% |
|
B.8 - PROGRAMME FOR PEACE AND RECONCILIATION |
173 |
173 |
0% |
|
B.10 - LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT AND ARCHIVE SERVICE |
0 |
0 |
0% |
|
B.11 - COMMUNITY FACILITIES FUND |
0 |
0 |
0% |
1368. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if an application for CLÁR funding for a group (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16383/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe CLÁR programme provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects in disadvantaged rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population.
The 2018 CLÁR programme was launched on 15th March 2018 with an indicative allocation of €5 million for this year. The scheme will provide funding under the following measures:
Measure 1: Support for Schools/Community Safety Measures
Measure 2: Play Areas (including Multi-Use Games Areas)
Measure 3: First Response Support Measure
The closing date for receipt of applications under the scheme is 30th April 2018. I can confirm that, to date, no application has been received from the group referred to by the Deputy. However, as will be seen from above, Group Water Schemes are not an eligible Measure under the 2018 Scheme.
1369. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of clerical officers and clerical assistants in his Department on temporary contracts by years of service; if these officers will be offered permanent positions in the civil service when they have served a fixed period of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16436/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are two currently temporary Clerical Officers employed in my Department. Both of these employees are employed are on a contract of six months duration to carry out a specific role for the six month period. They will not be offered permanent positions and the contracts will not be renewed or extended when they expire.
1370. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if an organisation (details supplied) will receive feedback for a failed community services programme application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16451/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Community Services Programme (CSP) supports community organisations to provide local services through a social enterprise model. Some 400 organisations are supported under the CSP, with funding provided as a contribution to the cost of a manager and an agreed number of full-time equivalent positions.
The organisation in question submitted a business plan to Pobal during 2016 as part of the normal CSP Re-Contracting Process. The organisation did not meet the criteria for continued funding and it was advised that funding support would cease in 2018. In the meantime, and pending an appeal, funding was approved for a manager and two full-time equivalent staff for 18 months to June 2018. The organisation did not appeal the decision.
Pobal has engaged with the organisation on the matter on a number of occasions since the decision was made and feedback has been provided on the unsuccessful business plan.
1371. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the policies and supports in place to encourage employers to engage persons with disabilities, particularly persons with Down's, syndrome to work for them; if additional supports are planned to promote same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14965/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThrough the Comprehensive Employment Strategy, the Government recognises the importance for people with disabilities of participation in employment. As part of the strategy, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection is committed to improving employment outcomes and removing barriers to employment for persons with a disability.
The Department’s supports for people with disabilities have been designed to enable persons with a disability to achieve their employment ambitions by focusing on the individual person’s ability and capacity rather than taking an approach that focuses on a particular type of disability such as that linked with Down Syndrome.
The Department engages regularly with employers to highlight the benefits of employing people with disabilities and the department promotes workplace supports for people with disabilities and engages with employers on an ongoing basis. For instance, the Employer Information Pack (which is available on the Department’s website at http://www.welfare.ie/en/downloads/employerpack.pdf) contains information on supports available to people with disabilities and employers. The range of supports and services available to employers are regularly highlighted at for example, “road shows” and Job Fairs directed at employers.
The Department provides a range of work related supports for employers who recruit and employ people with disabilities, these include:
- The Wage Subsidy Scheme (WSS) that has been designed to increase the likelihood of people with disabilities participating in the open labour market by providing financial incentives to private sector employers;
- The Reasonable Accommodation Fund that assists employers to take appropriate measures to enable a person with a disability/impairment to have access to employment by providing a range of grants. These grants and supports include the Workplace Equipment Adaptation Grant, the Personal Reader Grant, the Job Interview Interpreter Grant and the Employee Retention Grant.
I trust this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
1372. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if there is provision for Irish citizens living in Northern Ireland to obtain a gender recognition certificate from the State; if not, her plans to facilitate such a provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16002/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 9 of the Gender Recognition Act 2015, sets out the persons who may apply for a gender recognition certificate from the State. There is no provision for an Irish citizen whose birth was registered in Northern Ireland and who is resident in Northern Ireland to apply for a Gender Recognition Certificate.
A review of the Act is currently underway and this issue is one of the issues being considered by the group established to conduct the review. Under the terms of reference, it is intended that the group’s report will be submitted to me by the end of May.
