Written Answers Nos. 448-462
448. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the expenditure savings that are earmarked for his Department for 2019 that are not accounted for in the mid-year expenditure report or are not included in the fiscal space calculations for 2019. [38492/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Mid-Year Expenditure Report (MYER) set out the starting baseline in relation to the gross voted expenditure for 2019. As outlined in the MYER, the technical pre-Budget position for current expenditure is the current expenditure allocation for this year set out in REV. This pre-Budget position will be adjusted to reflect the allocation to the Department of a central provision in relation to the Public Service Stability Agreement.
The capital ceiling set out in the MYER is consistent with the ceiling for 2019 published in the National Development Plan.
The figures set out in the MYER do not include expenditure savings targets specifically earmarked for my Department. However, as usual as part of the Estimates process the my Department will be examining the allocations across its programme areas, including taking into account expenditure trends in 2018, to identify how services can be delivered within the overall fiscal parameters for 2019.
449. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if additional funding will be provided for the local improvement scheme to local authorities, particularly in counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath, in order to clear the backlog of applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38387/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) is a programme for improvement works on small private or non-public roads in predominantly rural areas. The scheme is funded by my Department and administered through the Local Authorities.
Following on from the successful re-launch of the scheme in 2017, I announced details of the 2018 Local Improvement Scheme on 27th February last. I allocated an initial sum of €10.8 million to Local Authorities across the country this year under the scheme, including €295,000 for Cavan, €250,000 for Monaghan, and €359,000 for Meath.
The list of projects which each of the Councils has selected for improvement works under the scheme are available on my Department’s website at: http://drcd.gov.ie/about/rural/local-improvement-scheme/.
As part of the LIS scheme this year, I also requested all County Councils to compile a secondary list of suitable LIS road projects which they could complete if additional funding becomes available through my Department later in the year.
I am assessing the level of expenditure on all of my Department's programmes on an on-going basis, and I will make decisions shortly on whether there is scope for any additional funding to be allocated to the Local Improvement Scheme this year.
Over 1,100 roads have benefitted from improvement works since I re-launched the LIS last year. This is having a hugely positive impact for residents and landowners along those roads in terms of access to their premises and properties.
450. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the expenditure by LAG to date on projects under the Leader programme 2013-2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38633/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraLEADER is a multi-annual programme for the period 2014-2020 and has a total budget of €250 million over that period. 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.
More than 1,300 projects with a value of more than €39 million have now been approved under the programme. A further 325 projects with a value of €20.8 million are at an earlier stage in the approvals process.
Table 1 details the project expenditure incurred to date in each LAG area.
Project payments have increased significantly in recent months as approved works are completed and claims for payment are submitted by the project promoters. Over €6 million of project expenditure has been incurred in 2018 compared with just €600,000 in 2017.
The progress now being made by the Local Action Groups in approving projects will result in a continued increase in project approvals and payments under the LEADER programme for the remainder of the year. This progress has been assisted by improvements made by my Department in the last year to the applications and approvals process, in consultation with the LAGs.
Table 1: LEADER 2014-2020 Expenditure as of 17 September 2018
|
Sub-Regional Area (LAG) |
Total Project spend to date |
|
Carlow |
494,755.79 |
|
Cavan |
216,588.79 |
|
Clare |
236,728.83 |
|
Cork North |
206,245.72 |
|
Cork South |
20,000.00 |
|
Cork West |
20,933.30 |
|
Donegal |
1,089,300.20 |
|
Galway: Forum Connemara |
5,041.79 |
|
Galway: Galway Rural Development |
0.00 |
|
Kerry |
447,287.07 |
|
Kildare |
0.00 |
|
Kilkenny |
300,982.30 |
|
Laois |
69,883.78 |
|
Leitrim |
103,485.23 |
|
Limerick |
0.00 |
|
Longford |
7,691.66 |
|
Louth |
90,644.77 |
|
Mayo |
358,091.06 |
|
Meath |
34,199.35 |
|
Monaghan |
241,671.11 |
|
Offaly |
539,120.35 |
|
Roscommon |
57,761.88 |
|
Rural Dublin |
71,130.81 |
|
Sligo |
501,580.63 |
|
Tipperary |
312,812.37 |
|
Waterford |
899,438.80 |
|
Westmeath |
118,797.16 |
|
Wexford |
260,367.46 |
|
Wicklow |
19,856.08 |
|
Total |
€6,724,396.29 |
451. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the work of the Action Plan for Rural Development, specifically relating to the revitalisation of towns and villages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38636/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Action Plan for Rural Development includes a suite of measures for delivery across a range of Government Departments and agencies to support the revitalisation of rural towns and villages.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme, which is administered by my Department, is a key component of the Government's Action Plan. Over €31.6 million has been approved for more than 450 projects across the country since the scheme was introduced in the second half of 2016.
The 2018 Town and Village Renewal Scheme was launched on 27th April. Local Authorities were required to seek expressions of interest from communities for proposals under the scheme and select up to 12 proposals for submission to my Department for consideration.
The closing date for submission of applications to my Department was 30th June 2018. Applications are currently being assessed and successful projects will be announced shortly.
It is anticipated that a further 200 projects will be supported under this year's scheme, with indicative funding of €15 million available. Projects will be expected to commence before the end of the year and will run for up to 18 months.
The Government’s commitment to supporting rural Ireland is further underscored through the new €1 billion Rural Regeneration and Development Fund which was launched recently. This new Fund will provide an opportunity to deliver more integrated and ambitious projects which will further support the revitalisation of our rural towns and villages in the coming years.
452. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the local improvement scheme of local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38637/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Improvement Scheme, or LIS, is a programme for improvement works on small private or non-public roads in predominantly rural areas. The scheme is funded by my Department and administered through the Local Authorities.
Following on from the successful re-launch of the scheme in 2017, I announced details of the 2018 Local Improvement Scheme on 27th February last. I allocated an initial sum of €10.8 million to Local Authorities across the country this year under the scheme.
The list of projects which each of the Councils has selected for improvement works under the scheme are available on my Department’s website at: http://drcd.gov.ie/about/rural/local-improvement-scheme/.
As part of the LIS scheme this year, I also requested all County Councils to compile a secondary list of suitable LIS road projects which they could complete if additional funding becomes available through my Department later in the year.
I am assessing the level of expenditure on all of my Department's programmes on an on-going basis, and I will make decisions shortly on whether there is scope for any additional funding to be allocated to the Local Improvement Scheme this year.
Over 1,100 roads have benefitted from improvement works since I re-launched the LIS last year. This is having a hugely positive impact for residents and landowners along those roads in terms of access to their premises and properties.
453. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding options available to a group (details supplied) to help with day-to-day costs of office and administration; and his plans to fund the group following a recent meeting which he held with its representatives. [38735/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Community Services Programme (CSP) supports some 400 community organisations to provide local services through a social enterprise model, with funding provided as a contribution to the cost of a manager and an agreed number of full-time equivalent positions.
To be eligible for support, an organisation must be a social enterprise capable of generating income from its activities. CSP funding is a fixed annual contribution and does not meet the full salary cost of supported posts or fund other day-to-day operating costs. Accordingly, the CSP contribution must be co-funded by the organisation concerned from other sources, for example, from income received from the public use of their facilities and services.
The organisation in question may submit an expression of interest to my Department under the programme and funding will be considered, subject to the organisation meeting all CSP eligibility criteria and in light of available budgets during the year.
454. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the degree to which he hopes to engage with various rural community groups with a view to identifying their perspectives on the issues with which his Department may be able to assist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38871/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is in ongoing contact with local and community groups to identify the most appropriate actions in regard to all issues relevant to the work of the Department.
Groups can also input into the policy-making process through the local structures established by my Department such as Public Participation Networks and Local Community Development Committees.
In addition, all interested parties are invited to provide submissions to public consultations that are opened by my Department and we encourage groups from all sectors to take the opportunity to input where appropriate. For example, public consultations have been held in relation to my Department’s first Statement of Strategy and also the new library strategy, "Our Public Libraries 2022 - inspiring, connecting and empowering communities", both of which were published earlier this year. More recently I have sought submissions in relation to my Department's first Official Languages Scheme.
455. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the degree to which he expects to improve the quality of life for persons and communities throughout rural Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38872/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra459. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to further support enterprise and enhance employment across rural Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38876/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra461. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which he continues to address the stigmatisation of rural or urban communities (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38879/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 455, 459 and 461 together.
As Minister with responsibility for Rural and Community Development I note the substantial progress made to improve the quality of life for persons and communities throughout Ireland, both rural and urban.
My primary focus is to support the creation of vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities across this country. This can be achieved through the implementation of programmes and initiatives that facilitate and encourage economic development through the creation of jobs and the infrastructure required to support those jobs, and to support our communities to become and remain desirable places to live, work and raise families.
The Action Plan for Rural Development, the Framework Policy for Local and Community Development in Ireland, and Project Ireland 2040 are the key policy initiatives that set out the ways in which Government aims to address disadvantage and how we can support both rural and urban communities across Ireland.
In particular, the Action Plan for Rural Development, which complements the Regional Action Plans for Jobs and other Government plans and strategies, includes a range of measures which will support enterprise growth and job creation in rural areas. These measures will be delivered across a range of Government Departments, State agencies and other organisations over the period to 2020.
Improving the quality of life of those who live and work in rural communities is another key objective of the Action Plan, which is the most comprehensive Government plan ever produced to support economic and social development in rural areas.
In relation to employment, Labour market data published by the Central Statistics Office, for Quarter 4 2017, shows that employment increased in almost all regions of the country year-on-year. Two-thirds of the 19,332 new jobs created by Enterprise Ireland companies in 2017 were outside of Dublin, while all regions saw increases in IDA employment in 2017, with over 50% of the 19,851 new jobs created last year located outside of Dublin.
My own Department also contributes to supporting job creation and the enhancement of the quality of life in local communities through a range of programmes, including:
- €31.6 million has been invested in over 450 projects under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
- €23 million has been allocated to almost 500 projects under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure scheme.
- More than 1,200 projects have been approved for total funding of €25 million under the CLÁR programme.
- 1,100 private roads in rural areas have benefitted from investment of €28.2 million under the Local Improvement Scheme since last September; and
- More than 1,300 projects with a value of over €39 million have now been approved under the current LEADER programme. LEADER is a multi-annual programme which has a budget of €250 million over the period to 2020 and has a job creation target of 3,100 over the lifetime of the programme.
- €190 million will be provided by the new Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme over the period 2018-2022. SICAP aims to reduce disadvantage and poverty in local communities across the country.
- My Department is also working closely with local authorities to support the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan and rural telecommunications infrastructure. We are assisting local authorities to develop local digital strategies, which will be essential if the full economic and social benefits of high-speed broadband connectivity are to be realised equally across all communities over the coming years.
My Department will continue to implement these and other programmes but is also in a position to provide additional investment of €1 billion over the next 10 years through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, which is being delivered as part of the Government’s Project Ireland 2040 commitment to strengthen rural economies and communities.
456. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which he has received applications in 2018 for assistance from various groups throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38873/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra458. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which he expects to be in a position to offer grant aid to rural communities involved in various projects to enhance rural life; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38875/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 456 and 458 together.
My Department funds a range of programmes and schemes that provide financial assistance to eligible groups throughout the country. These schemes provide much needed funding, support and assistance to communities at local level.
These include the LEADER and CLÁR programmes; the recently launched Community Enhancement Programme, to which I announced the allocation of a further €8million in funding last week; the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP); the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme; the Town and Village Renewal Scheme; and the Community Services Programme.
All schemes delivered by my Department are open to applications from eligible parties during the relevant application timeframes set for each scheme/programme.
Full details of how to register or apply for financial assistance under these schemes can be obtained online [www.drcd.gov.ie], together with more detailed information on all various funding programmes and schemes administered through my Department.
457. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the action he has taken to address issues of rural isolation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38874/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe response to the issue of rural isolation is delivered across a number of Government Departments and organisations. The Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development includes a range of measures which will contribute significantly to addressing isolation and social inclusion in rural areas. Specific examples of actions in the Plan which will help those who feel isolated or vulnerable in rural areas include:
- Significant investment in the Seniors Alert Scheme, which facilitates valuable community-based support for vulnerable older people living alone. During 2017, spend on the Scheme amounted to €2.7 million, with over 12,600 applications approved and more than 10,000 installations completed. To the end of August 2018, almost 13,000 applications were approved, with in excess of 14,500 installations completed. Spend on this demand-led scheme to date in 2018 has been almost €5.4 million.
- Investment of €46 million in Garda fleet to ensure that Gardaí are mobile, visible and responsive to prevent and tackle crime.
- Support for 450 Men’s Sheds across rural Ireland which provide a safe space where men can gather and participate in their communities, develop social networks and potentially gain new skills and access information. In July I provided funding of €500,000 to support the work of Men’s Sheds throughout Ireland.
- Maintaining the network of senior helplines in operation throughout the country, which offer a listening service for older people to help address issues such as loneliness and isolation in rural areas.
- Continued support and prioritisation of community crime prevention through schemes such as Neighbourhood Watch and Text Alert.
- Funding allocation of €14.9 million for Local Link rural transport services in 2018. Local Link facilitated 1.9 million passenger journeys last year, providing a vital service for rural communities.
The issue of isolation, whether in urban or rural areas, is one which should concern us all and I am committed to continuing my Department’s response to this issue through programmes such as Seniors Alert and progressing the measures contained in the Action Plan for Rural Development in collaboration with my Government colleagues.
460. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the main headings under which his Department expects to be in a position to offer financial assistance to voluntary groups throughout County Kildare and the country at large; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38877/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department operates a number of funding programmes and schemes that are open to applications from relevant parties, including groups in the voluntary sector, who satisfy the relevant criteria during the application timeframes set for each scheme/programme.
Volunteering supporting infrastructure has been set up nationwide in the form of Volunteer Centres, Volunteering Information Services and Volunteer Ireland, and the Department hopes to further develop this infrastructure.
In 2018, €3.5 million was allocated by my Department to support the work of volunteering organisations. The Department also approved a request from Volunteer Ireland for €115,000 to update the I-VOL database, which will be provided on a recoupment basis. This upgrade will facilitate public online access to volunteering information and opportunities.
My Department also has lead responsibility for developing the relationship between the State and community and voluntary sector. The Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO) provides multi-annual funding towards core costs of national organisations in the sector, with a focus on organisations that provide supports to those who are disadvantaged. The current three-year scheme runs to 30 June 2019, and all funding has been fully allocated for 2018.
The Community Services Programme (CSP), which has an allocation for 2018 of €46million, supports community-based organisations to provide local social, economic and environmental services through a social enterprise model for services which are not being met through public or private funding.
The Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) was launched by my Department in May 2018. It provides small capital grants to community groups across the country. The original allocation announced in May 2018 was €4.5m and last week, I was able to announce a further allocation of €8million to the CEP for 2018. An additional €0.5m was allocated and ring-fenced for Men’s Sheds in June of this year.
The programme allows communities across the country to apply for funding to enhance the facilities in their areas. Hundreds of groups are benefitting across the country in 2018 and money is being spent on what is important to people locally in their area. Co. Kildare has been allocated a total of €442,585 under the CEP in 2018.
Voluntary groups in rural areas may also be able to access funding under the CLÁR Programme, which has allocated approximately €23million to almost 500 small scale infrastructural projects since 2016, in the areas of school and community safety, recreational play areas and first response support. Last month I also opened up the programme to supports for mobility and cancer care transport.
Funding may also be available under my Department's LEADER Programme to support groups in the voluntary sector. Applications for funding can be made directly to the relevant Local Action Groups.
The Seniors Alert Scheme provides personal monitored alarms to enable older people, of limited means, to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. The Scheme is administered on behalf of my Department by Pobal, with applicants applying via community organisations operating in their local area. Since Pobal took over the administration of the Scheme in September 2015, 15 community organisations have been approved to operate the Scheme in Co. Kildare.
Further information on all funding programmes and schemes is available on my Department's website www.drcd.gov.ie.
462. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the progress to date in respect of the two regional broadband action groups, with particular reference to the provision of an efficient broadband network across rural Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38880/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has combined the original two Regional Broadband Action Groups into a single country-wide Regional Action Group to remove barriers to the installation of telecoms infrastructure and accelerate the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan once a contract is signed with the successful tenderer. The Group currently meets on a monthly basis and has successfully facilitated the sharing of ideas and local knowledge, and established valuable networking opportunities between the Local Authorities and service providers.
A key deliverable of the Regional Action Group is the development of local digital strategies in each Local Authority area. Indecon was appointed to assist Local Authorities in this process, with Digital Readiness Assessments prepared for each Local Authority. It is anticipated that the local digital strategies will be completed over the coming months.
My Department has also been engaged with broadband officers and telecommunications providers to assess the viability of sharing underground infrastructure. My officials are also working with broadband officers to develop pilot projects which will seek to test the viability and scalability of digital initiatives before they are rolled out in other rural locations.
