Written Answers Nos. 2400-2419
2400. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the progress of an indemnity scheme for access to the countryside; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34384/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe introduction of a National Indemnity Scheme has been, and continues to be, a key priority for my Department to support the continued provision of access to the countryside for recreational users on a permissive access basis.
My Department has been working with the State Claims Agency in relation to the development of a pilot Indemnity Scheme with a view to the eventual development of a national Indemnity Scheme to strengthen the protection for landowners in respect of recreational users of private lands. My Department has also recently been in touch with the Attorney General's Office with a view to progressing the matter.
I have asked my officials to prioritise the finalisation of the work on the pilot scheme and I anticipate that substantial progress will be made by the end of the year.
2401. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans for an updated strategy for outdoor recreation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34385/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of previous Government initiatives in relation to outdoor recreation, Comhairle Na Tuaithe (The Countryside Council) was established in February 2004 with a primary focus on the areas of:
- access to the countryside,
- developing a countryside code, and
- developing a countryside recreation strategy.
The National Countryside Recreation Strategy was published by Comhairle na Tuaithe in 2006.
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. The review made a number of proposals in relation to new structures for an Outdoor Recreation Council and suggested that a new Countryside Recreation Strategy was required which encompasses and represents all of the various stakeholders.
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.
My officials presented initial proposals to the Comhairle members on 16th May and, through my officials, I received detailed feedback from the members on those proposals. I am currently considering that feedback in the context of a wider focus on the development of the rural recreation sector. I will make a final decision regarding the future operation of Comhairle na Tuaithe shortly.
I anticipate that the members of Comhairle will consider the development of an updated strategy for outdoor countryside recreation as part of its future work.
2402. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the reason an application for CLÁR funding by a school (details supplied) was deemed unsuccessful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34583/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCLÁR is a targeted capital investment programme for rural areas which have experienced significant levels of depopulation.
I launched the 2018 CLÁR programme on the 15th March last, with an indicative allocation of €5 million for qualifying projects under the following measures:
Measure 1: Support for Schools/Community Safety Measures
Measure 2: Play Areas/Multi-Use Games Areas
Measure 3: First Response Support Measure
I can confirm that an application in respect of the school in question was received under Measure 1. Applications under this Measure were submitted by Local Authorities following consultation with communities in their CLÁR areas.
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.
The application in question was not successful as it did not comply with the eligibility criteria indicated in the scheme guidelines. In particular, the application did not demonstrate that planning approval was in place for the proposed project, as required.
2403. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of extra employees to be hired in his Department between now and March 2019 to prepare for a hard Brexit; the specific roles these new employees will take up; the estimated cost of hiring these new employees; the impacts on his Department's expenditure ceilings for 2018 and 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34670/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Department was established to bring a greater level of coordination and cohesion to policies that impact rural Ireland and communities in order that economic recovery can be felt right across the country.
Part of that involves ensuring the potential impacts of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union are mitigated in those communities most likely to be affected by Brexit. Regional and rural businesses face enormous potential challenges on this front, particularly in the Border region and this is relevant across a number of policy areas of my Department.
In this context, considerations around the impact of Brexit are shared across different policy areas, rather than being assigned to a single Unit or dedicated staff.
My Department is currently undergoing a workforce planning process under the guidance of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Part of this process will be to identify any additional Brexit related roles, and/or Brexit related duties, which will be assigned to existing posts.
These posts will be filled from our existing 2018 pay allocation and will also form part of our staffing resource needs, to be included in our submission to the Estimates process for 2019.
2404. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of unfilled vacancies in his Department; the time these vacancies have been open from when the roles were first advertised to date for each vacancy or group of vacancies; the number of unfilled vacancies in each agency under his remit; the time these vacancies have been open from when the roles were first advertised to date for each vacancy or group of vacancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34688/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy core Department has two main offices, with a headquarters in Dublin and regional office in Ballina, Co Mayo. There are currently two unfilled vacancies, one Executive Officer, since April 2018 and one Higher Executive Officer, since June 2018. There are twelve other posts where staff have been assigned and will be taking up duty by September 2018 at the latest.
There are a number of other posts that are being considered as part of a WorkForce Planning process, being led out on by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER), and these may fall to be filled in due course, subject to available pay budget.
In relation to agencies under my Department’s aegis (there are four such Bodies, the Charites Regulator, Western Development Commission, Pobal and Irish Water Safety) I have responsibility for staffing of the Charites Regulator and the Western Development Commission, under the delegated sanction staffing arrangements with DPER.
The Charities Regulator is reviewing its overall resourcing requirements at present. There are currently two Higher Executive Officer vacancies, one Executive Officer vacancy and one Assistant Principal Officer vacancy, all unfilled since June 2018. Consideration of the skillsets required for all unfilled positions is under review, prior to decisions being made whether to fill with general service grades or with specialised posts.
The Western Development Commission has a vacancy for the post of CEO, since May 2014. This vacancy was advertised in May last and is expected to be filled shortly. There is also a temporary vacancy for the role of Head of Corporate Resources at Higher Executive Officer level, since April 2018.
I have no role in relation to staffing or HR issues for Pobal or Irish Water Safety.
2405. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the details of the EU directives that fall under his remit not yet transposed into law; the deadline imposed by the EU for the transposition of same; and the estimated date for the transposition of those directives into law. [34716/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no EU directives that fall under the remit of my Department that are not yet transposed into law.
2406. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the outcome of recent discussions his Department had with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the European Commission on the funding of cross-Border projects post-2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34877/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraPEACE IV is an EU funded cross-border programme which supports peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland, promoting social and economic stability particularly through actions promoting cohesion between communities. The PEACE and INTERREG cross border programmes are managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), one of the North-South Bodies established under the Good Friday Agreement.
My Department is an Accountable Department for PEACE IV and provides funding under three of the four objectives of the Programme, namely Shared Spaces and Services, Building Positive Relations, and Children and Young People. The Department works closely with the SEUPB and counterpart Departments in Northern Ireland in relation to calls for proposals and assessment of projects under these three objectives. An independent Steering Committee supported by the SEUPB as secretariat, constituted on a cross-border basis to reflect the principles of partnership, has delegated responsibility to select projects to be funded. The role of Accountable Department includes membership of the Steering Committee, which considers and approves all funding applications under the themes and objectives funded.
My colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform, who has overall responsibility for both the PEACE and INTERREG programmes, has been clear about the Government’s commitment to the successful implementation of the current programmes and to successor arrangements post-2020.
The Government’s ambition is shared by both the EU and the UK. I am pleased, therefore, that in its recent proposals for the next Cohesion round the European Commission has proposed a special new PEACE PLUS programme to build on and continue the work of PEACE and INTERREG post-2020. I expect my Department to contribute strongly to the shape of any new programme as discussions progress.
2407. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding allocated for the Leader programme in 2018; the expenditure level to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34878/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraA total of €40 million has been provided in my Department's Vote for the LEADER Programme in 2018. This funding includes voted provision of €35 million, and €5 million by way of carry-over of unspent capital funding from 2017.
As of 20th July 2018, the total amount of LEADER funding which has expended since the commencement of the 2014-2020 Programme is €22,809,582, of which €8,173,625 has been spent in 2018. The total costs include expenditure incurred by the Local Action Groups (LAGs) which administer the programme to develop their Local Development Strategies, the administration costs of the LAGs, the costs of their engagement with communities to generate projects, and expenditure on projects themselves.
There has been a significant increase in project approvals by the LAGs in the last twelve months and more than 1,100 projects with a grant value of €35.7 million have now been approved under the programme since it commenced. A further 300 projects with a grant value of €19.6 million are within the approvals process. Expenditure on the LEADER programme will increase substantially as these projects are delivered and payments are drawn down.
My Department engages with the LAGs on a regular basis to assess the progress on projects and I will be carefully monitoring the level of spend on the programme over the coming months.
2408. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if funding will be provided to extend the Boyne greenway project at Mornington, County Meath, to Drogheda, County Louth; the resources available to his Department for the next round of greenway funding; when the next round of funding allocations will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34898/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport has responsibility for national and regional Greenways and has recently published a new strategy for the development of Greenways of this scale. The development of national and regional Greenways will be supported by a fund of €53 million from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport for the years 2019 to 2021.
My Department will continue to support the development of smaller, local Greenways (typically under 20 Km in length) under schemes such as the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.
Funding is currently available under the 2018 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme which I launched on 1st June, with an indicative allocation of €12 million. The scheme will provide funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure and for the maintenance and promotion of existing outdoor recreational infrastructure in rural Ireland. In the past two years, the scheme has funded trails, walkways, cycleways, blueways, and projects that improve access to recreational amenities across the country.
Under the 2018 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme scheme, Local Authorities and relevant Local Development Companies, in collaboration with each other and other Agencies and community groups, have been invited to submit applications to my Department for consideration.
Applications are being accepted under three measures:
Measure 1 will cater for small projects with a value of up to €20,000.
Measure 2 will support medium sized projects, ranging in value from €20,000 to €200,000.
Measure 3 is aimed at larger projects, ranging from €200,000 to €500,000.
The closing date for Measure 1 applications was 6th July, while the closing date for Measure 2 and Measure 3 applications is 27th July. My officials will assess all applications received in the coming weeks and I hope to announce successful projects during September.
2409. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if funding for works to be carried out on the Sligo, Leitrim and northern counties railway greenway will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34912/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport has responsibility for national and regional Greenways and has recently published a new strategy for the development of Greenways of this scale. The development of national and regional Greenways will be supported by a fund of €53 million from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport for the years 2019 to 2021.
My Department will continue to support the development of smaller, local Greenways (typically under 20 Km in length) under schemes such as the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.
Funding is currently available under the 2018 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme which I launched on 1st June, with an indicative allocation of €12 million. The scheme will provide funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure and for the maintenance and promotion of existing outdoor recreational infrastructure in rural Ireland. In the past two years, the scheme has funded trails, walkways, cycleways, blueways, and projects that improve access to recreational amenities across the country.
Under the 2018 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme scheme, Local Authorities and relevant Local Development Companies, in collaboration with each other and other Agencies and community groups, have been invited to submit applications to my Department for consideration.
Applications are being accepted under three measures:
Measure 1 will cater for small projects with a value of up to €20,000.
Measure 2 will support medium sized projects, ranging in value from €20,000 to €200,000.
Measure 3 is aimed at larger projects, ranging from €200,000 to €500,000.
The closing date for Measure 1 applications was 6th July, while the closing date for Measure 2 and Measure 3 applications is 27th July. My officials will assess all applications received in the coming weeks and I hope to announce successful projects during September.
2410. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount that has been spent from the Leader budget in each of the years from 2015 to 2017 and to date in 2018; the amount projected to be spent for the remainder of 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35108/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTotal expenditure on the 2014-2020 LEADER Programme from 2015 to 20th July 2018 amounted to €22,809,582. The breakdown of this expenditure by year is provided on Table 1 below.
Funding Agreements with the Local Action Groups (LAGs) which deliver the LEADER programme in each of the 28 LEADER areas were, for the most part, signed in the second half of 2016 and project applications only began to be developed from that date.
Expenditure in 2015 and 2016 relates primarily to the costs incurred by the LAGs in developing the Local Development Strategies on which LEADER activity is based in each area, as well as administration costs of the LAGs.
Expenditure in subsequent years includes the costs of engagement by the LAGs with communities to generate projects, together with expenditure incurred on projects and LAG administration costs.
A total of €40 million has been provided in my Department’s budget for 2018 to support the LEADER programme. This funding includes voted provision of €35 million, and €5 million by way of carry-over of unspent capital funding from 2017.
There has been a significant increase in project approvals by the LAGs in the last twelve months. More than 1,100 projects with a grant value of €35.7 million have now been approved under the programme since it commenced. A further 300 projects with a value of €19.6 million are at an earlier stage in the approvals process. Expenditure on the LEADER programme will increase substantially as these projects are delivered and payments are drawn down.
My Department engages with the LAGs on a regular basis to assess the progress on projects and I will be carefully monitoring the level of spend on the programme over the coming months.
Table 1: LEADER 2014-2020 Expenditure broken down per year:
|
Year |
Programme Expenditure |
|
2015 |
€1,251,185 |
|
2016 |
€1,260,921 |
|
2017 |
€12,123,851 |
|
2018 (to date) |
€8,173,625 |
|
Total |
€22,809,582 |
2411. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if funding for works to be carried out on the Cavan and Leitrim greenway will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35119/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport has responsibility for national and regional Greenways and has recently published a new strategy for the development of Greenways of this scale. The development of national and regional Greenways will be supported by a fund of €53 million from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport for the years 2019 to 2021.
My Department will continue to support the development of smaller, local Greenways (typically under 20 Km in length) under schemes such as the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.
Under the 2016 Outdoor Recreation Scheme, my Department provided funding of €190,000 through Leitrim County Council for the Cavan and Leitrim Railway Greenway Pilot Project to construct approximately 1.17km of Greenway from Ballinamore to Cleenaghoo.
I also understand that an application for funding under the LEADER 2014-2020 programme has been made in respect of a further stretch of the Leitrim Railway Greenway Pilot Project.
Funding is also currently available under the 2018 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme which I launched on 1st June, with an indicative allocation of €12 million. The scheme will provide funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure and for the maintenance and promotion of existing outdoor recreational infrastructure in rural Ireland. In the past two years, the scheme has funded trails, walkways, cycleways, blueways, and projects that improve access to recreational amenities across the country.
Under the 2018 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme scheme, Local Authorities and relevant Local Development Companies, in collaboration with each other and other Agencies and community groups, have been invited to submit applications to my Department for consideration.
Applications are being accepted under three measures:
Measure 1 will cater for small projects with a value of up to €20,000.
Measure 2 will support medium sized projects, ranging in value from €20,000 to €200,000.
Measure 3 is aimed at larger projects, ranging from €200,000 to €500,000.
The closing date for Measure 1 applications was 6th July, while the closing date for Measure 2 and Measure 3 applications is 27th July. My officials will assess all applications received in the coming weeks and I hope to announce successful projects during September.
2412. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the details of proposals (details supplied) over the 2011 to 2018 period, on an annual basis, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35148/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department was established on the 19 July 2017. There have been no legislative proposals published by my Department since that date.
2413. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the breakdown by project for the capital allocation of €88 million in 2018 to his Vote group; the breakdown by project for the proposed allocation of €141 million in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35282/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Revised Estimates 2018 in respect of my Department set out a capital allocation of €88m in respect of my Department in 2018, supplemented by €7.7m in capital carryover from 2017.
The following table sets out programme capital expenditure in respect of 2018.
|
2018 Programme Allocation |
Allocation 000 |
|
A - RURAL DEVELOPMENT & REGIONAL AFFAIRS |
|
|
A.3 - DORMANT ACCOUNT MEASURES |
2,006 |
|
A.5 - NATIONAL RURAL DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES |
15,383 |
|
A.6 - LEADER - RURAL ECONOMY SUB PROGRAMME |
35,000 |
|
A.8 - TOWN AND VILLAGE REGENERATION |
15,000 |
|
A.9 - RURAL BROADBAND, REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
600 |
|
A.10 - LOCAL IMPROVEMENT SCHEMES |
10,000 |
|
B - COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
|
|
B.6 - RAPID |
3,767 |
|
B.8 - PROGRAMME FOR PEACE AND RECONCILIATION |
700 |
|
B.10 - LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT AND ARCHIVE SERVICE |
2,750 |
|
B.11 - COMMUNITY FACILITIES FUND |
2,000 |
Sectoral allocations in respect of the proposed capital allocation of €141m in 2019 (as set out in the National Development Plan) will fall to be considered as part of the annual estimates process.
A Rural Regeneration and Development Fund has been established under my Department as part of Project Ireland 2040. This fund will invest an additional €1 billion in strengthening rural economies and communities over the next 10 years.
Funding of €315 million has been provided over the period 2019 to 2022, which will allow both further activity under existing initiatives as well as the introduction of new investment initiatives under the Fund to be supported during this period.
Details on the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund are available online at https://drcd.gov.ie/about/rural/rural-regeneration-development-fund/
Allocations from the Fund will be made on a competitive bid based approach. On July 4th, I announced a first call for proposals under the Fund.The deadline for the receipt of applications under the first call for proposals is 27 September 2018.
2414. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the 2018 allocation to the CLÁR programme. [35359/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCLÁR is a targeted capital investment programme for rural areas which have experienced significant levels of depopulation.
I launched the 2018 CLÁR programme on the 15th March last, with an indicative allocation of €5 million for qualifying projects under the following measures:
Measure 1: Support for Schools/Community Safety Measures
Measure 2: Play Areas/Multi-Use Games Areas
Measure 3: First Response Support Measure
In recent weeks, I approved 310 successful projects for funding under the 2018 programme, with a total allocation of €8.7 million across the three measures.
2415. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the RAPID and the community facilities scheme will cease to be funded after 2018 and be replaced by the community enhancement programme. [35360/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI launched the Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) in May 2018. The CEP replaces and builds on the RAPID programme and the Community Facilities Scheme (CFS) making for a more flexible, streamlined and targeted approach to providing funding to those communities most in need, while reducing the level of administration involved.
The decision to replace RAPID and CFS with the new programme was made on foot of a review carried out by my Department. Details of the review are available on the Department's website at the following link: - https://drcd.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/Review-of-Communities-Facilities-Scheme-and-RAPID.pdf
Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) are currently advertising for applications for the CEP and final decisions regarding funding allocations within each local authority area will be made as early as possible.
2417. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if an audit of all external workplace investigations conducted by companies (details supplied) will be provided; the outcome of complaints against his Department; when the investigation will commence into an allegation against an employee, the number of occasions on which a complaint was upheld against his Department by the investigators; and the number of occasions on which an investigation against an employee found grounds for disciplinary action. [35374/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department was established in July 2017. I can confirm that there have been no workplace investigations conducted to date, therefore this matter does not apply to my Department at this time.
2418. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount paid for consultancy services in each of the years from 2012 to 2017; the details of these payments; the companies that received the payments; the amount received by each company; the hourly rates that applied to each company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35387/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department was established on 19 July 2017. During the period from that date until the end of 2017, the following payments were made in relation to consultancy services:
€18,819 to Elevate Strategies
€49,749 to Indecon
Therefore the total expenditure incurred in that timeframe was €68,568
Hourly rates were not applicable in either case.
2419. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount paid for external legal services in each of the years from 2012 to 2017; the details of these payments; the companies that received the payments; the amount received by each company; the hourly rates that applied to each company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35402/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department was established on 19 July 2017. During the period from that date until the end of 2017 there was no expenditure incurred by my Department on external legal services.
