Written Answers Nos. 90-100
90. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the areas of the country that can now avail of funding under the new RAPID programme; the reason this funding is not ring-fenced for the most highly deprived areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38604/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI launched the new Community Enhancement Programme in May. The Programme builds on and replaces the Communities Facilities Scheme and the recast RAPID programme. Its development followed a review of those two schemes, and consultation with the 33 Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) across the country.
Under the Programme, funding is allocated to each Local Authority area taking account of the relative deprivation level, using the Pobal Hasse deprivation index. The Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) then administers the programme to ensure funding is allocated locally to the areas that need it most, in order to address disadvantage as identified in their Local Economic and Community Plan. This is a more effective, flexible and locally responsive approach to addressing disadvantage than ring-fencing geographical areas as under previous programmes.
I originally allocated €4.5 million to this programme in 2018, and, based on the overwhelmingly positive feedback from communities around the country have recently allocated an additional €8 million to the programme.
A report which provides information on the review completed by Department, and detail on the new programme, is available on my Department’s website on the following link:
https://drcd.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/Review-of-Communities-Facilities-Scheme-and-RAPID.pdf
91. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of Pobal's proposed review into its charity status; if the review will be conducted in-house; the timeline for completion of the review; if his Department or the Attorney General has an input; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38582/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraPobal is a not for profit company limited by guarantee, which was established by Government in 1992 as Area Development Management (ADM) Ltd. Charitable status was granted to the company by the Revenue Commissioners on the 20th November 1996. In 2005 ADM was re-named Pobal. In accordance with Section 40 of the Charities Act, 2009, Pobal was entered onto the Register of Charitable Organisations automatically on 16 October 2014.
The basis for Pobal having charitable status is tied to the objects of the Company, which are specified in its Memorandum and Articles of Association. I am satisfied that Pobal is fully compliant with the relevant legislative requirements including those of the Charities Act, 2009.
Notwithstanding this, Pobal has commissioned an independent review of its charitable status. My Department has been advised that this work is now at a very advanced stage. The board of Pobal will receive a final report upon conclusion of the review and will communicate the outcome of the review to my Department through our existing corporate governance and oversight arrangements.
Neither my Department nor the Attorney General has an input into this independent review.
92. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the progress made since 2011 to date in 2018 with the development of rural recreation; the estimated number of jobs created in this sector in that time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38601/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for the development of the rural recreation sector in Ireland cuts across a number of Government Departments and Agencies.
Specific information regarding the numbers of jobs created in the sector since 2011 is not available in my Department. However, in 2014, 1.5 million overseas visitors engaged in outdoor activities in Ireland and this market was estimated to be worth over €900 million. These figures give an indication of the potential for the sector to grow and support job creation, especially in rural areas.
My Department supports a number of rural recreation initiatives, including the Walks Scheme and the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, which are having a positive impact on employment in many parts of the country.
The Walks Scheme is currently operating on 39 trails and supports 1,905 landowners who ensure that the trails are maintained to a high standard. The scheme is managed and administered by 16 Local Development Companies around the country, employing 12 Rural Recreation Officers.
The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme forms part of the Action Plan for Rural Development and, in particular, the Plan's focus on developing and promoting activity tourism. The scheme provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure and the maintenance, enhancement or promotion of existing infrastructure. Approximately €23 million has been allocated to almost 500 projects under the scheme since it was introduced in 2016 and further approvals will be announced shortly.
This funding will assist in the development of the rural recreation sector in Ireland, and assist the retention and creation of jobs in rural areas, both directly and indirectly, over the coming years.
93. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the position regarding CLÁR funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38625/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe CLÁR programme provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects in disadvantaged rural areas that have experienced significant levels of depopulation. More than 1,200 projects have been approved for total funding of €25 million since I relaunched the programme in 2016.
The 2018 CLÁR programme provided funding 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 362 successful projects for funding under these measures, with a total allocation of €10.4 million across the three measures. The successful projects are listed on the CLÁR pages of my Department's website, www.drcd.gov.ie.
I also announced a further measure to support mobility and cancer care transport in CLÁR areas which closed for applications at the end of August. I expect to make an announcement regarding the successful applicants under this measure shortly.
94. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to review the CLÁR areas based on the 2016 census returns; the timeline for the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38622/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCLÁR 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. The Cooley Peninsula was also 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 NIRSA Institute at Maynooth University and the programme was extended to include areas with an average population loss of 35% between 1926 and 2002.
The CLÁR programme was closed for new applications in 2010. However, I re-launched the programme in the second half of 2016, using as a base-line the areas identified in the work carried out by NIRSA. Over 1,200 projects have been approved for funding of €25 million under CLÁR since I re-launched the programme in 2016.
I intend carrying out a full review of qualifying CLÁR areas later this year on the basis of the 2016 Census data. The level of depopulation will continue to be a primary factor in the designation of any area as a CLÁR area. The review will involve a detailed examination of all areas of the country, as well as stakeholder consultation.
The findings of the review will inform future launches of the CLÁR programme into 2019 and beyond.
95. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if, as part of the mobile phone and broadband task force, all local authorities have identified coverage black spots; and the steps being considered to address these black spots. [38507/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce was established in July 2016 to examine broadband and mobile phone coverage deficits in Ireland and identify tangible actions to improve the quality of these services.
The Task Force Report was published in December 2016, encompassing 40 actions to alleviate barriers to mobile phone reception and broadband access. An Implementation Group was established in 2017 to oversee the delivery of the actions in the task force’s report. Progress reports on the delivery of these actions are published on my Department's website on a quarterly basis.
With regard to the specific issue of mobile phone blackspots, my officials, in conjunction with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, are actively engaged with Local Authorities and mobile phone operators to identify priority blackspots and take action to address this issue.
During 2017, officials of both Departments worked with a group of Local Authorities to identify the issues associated with mapping local blackspots. Building on this exercise, a call was issued to all Local Authorities in 2018 to map local blackspots and identify infrastructure that could potentially be used to improve telecommunications services.
To date, 17 Local Authorities have provided data on more than 200 blackspots, although it should be borne in mind that the number of blackspots is constantly changing as new telecommunications infrastructure is rolled out and upgraded. The blackspot information that the Department has received so far is providing data regarding poor coverage in specific rural areas and along national and regional roads. The Department is continuing to work with the telecommunications providers to ensure that new infrastructure is targeted at the areas most in need.
In addition, a Focus Group was established earlier this year by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment to provide guidance with respect to categories of location where high quality reliable mobile coverage should be made available as a priority. The report of the Focus Group was published in August 2018 and sets out a ranked list of categories of location where high quality mobile coverage should be available. It also recommends the level (in terms of quality and reliability) of coverage needed for these locations with respect to mobile voice and data services.
96. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he or his Department have had recent discussions with the authorities in Northern Ireland on cross-Border projects which may be affected by Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38599/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister for Rural and Community Development is a member of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC). However, his colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine has primary responsibility with respect to the North South Ministerial Council relating to Agriculture and Rural Development.
The North South Ministerial Council has been unable to meet since the Northern Ireland Executive collapsed in January 2017, and specifically because of the continuing absence of a First and deputy First Minister, who, acting jointly, are required to satisfy a number of statutory requirements in respect of NSMC Meetings.
While formal NSMC official-level Working Groups, whose primary purpose is to prepare for NSMC Ministerial meetings in the areas of cooperation, are also not taking place, officials from Departments in both jurisdictions have continued to work together in line with the previously agreed work programme of cooperation.
My officials have continued therefore to engage with their counterparts in relation to progressing projects under the co-operation measure under the current LEADER programme and within the North West Strategic Growth Partnership initiative being progressed by both Donegal Local Authority and Derry City Council.
My Department is also a Designated Accountable Department under the PEACE IV programme for Peace and Reconciliation. My colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, has overall responsibility for the PEACE Programme and any related BREXIT discussions.
The North South cooperation we enjoy today brings tangible benefits to the daily lives of people in the border region and across the island. It contributes to economic opportunity and development. It is also a very practical outworking of the peace process which allows for the normalisation of relationships between people across the island, to mutual benefit.
It is for these reasons that the Government has prioritised the protection of the Good Friday Agreement in all its part, and the gains of the peace process, along with the avoidance of a hard border, in the Brexit negotiations.
I earnestly hope that a new administration can be put in place in Northern Ireland soon and I look forward to engaging with my counterpart in Northern Ireland at an early date in the future on issues of common interest within my Department's remit.
97. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding provided to an organisation (details supplied) in 2017; and the funding that will be provided in 2018. [38506/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe organisation referred to by the Deputy (Men's Sheds) is a member-based network with affiliated member bodies throughout the country. I am delighted to support the Men's Sheds; the funding provided by my Department is outlined below.
In 2017, I provided funding of €14,900, to the central Men's Sheds organisation, to purchase IT equipment. Also in 2017, my Department provided €131,720 to 81 member bodies under the recast RAPID programme and the Communities Facilities Scheme enabling them to upgrade their facilities and expand their activities.
The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) provided 13 grants to men’s shed groups totalling €12,300 to date in 2018. SICAP also provides other supports to individual member bodies. In 2017, 142 groups were supported by actions that were undertaken under SICAP. In 2018 to date, the figure is 121.
In 2017, four projects were approved for €69,788 under the LEADER 2014-2020 Programme. By August 2018 a further six applications had been approved to the value of €263,554.
For 2018, I announced a new Men’s Shed Fund under the Community Enhancement Programme. This provided €0.5 million for Men’s Shed Groups to complete minor capital works or to purchase equipment.
98. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if his attention has been drawn to the threat to many rural festivals, féile and community type events in terms of the exorbitant insurance costs and threat of personal injury claims; the way in which he plans to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38587/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraPolicy responsibility for the Financial Services and Insurance sectors lies with my colleague in the Department of Finance, Minister of State Michael D'Arcy, T.D.
In January this year, Minister D’Arcy published the Cost of Insurance Working Group’s Report on the "Cost of Employer and Public Liability Insurance". This report is available on the Department of Finance’s website.
I am aware that the cost of public liability insurance can be a real challenge for many festivals and other community events and activities. In that regard, I have made funding available to Mountain Rescue Ireland over the past number of years to help defray their insurance costs.
I am also aware that my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, has made funding available to Agricultural shows, specifically to help defray the cost of their insurance.
I separately allocated €800,000 to almost 120 Agricultural shows throughout the country last year, in recognition of the difficulties experienced by such shows in recent years. I allocated a further €600,000 to the shows this year, to enable them to invest in and improve their shows for 2019.
99. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if budget 2019 will be rural-proofed in order to ensure that there will be no further cuts to services for rural communities; if recent cuts to services will be reversed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38586/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that the preparation of the Budget is primarily a matter for the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, who will bring his proposals for Budget 2019 to Government for decision in the coming weeks.
It would not be appropriate for me, at this stage, to comment on the issues raised by the Deputy in advance of the Budget being presented to Dáil Éireann on 9th October.
In a more general context, the Action Plan for Rural Development, which was published in January 2017, represents a significant development in providing a whole of Government approach to developing the opportunities, and addressing the challenges, facing rural Ireland today. The comprehensive range of measures contained in the Action Plan demonstrates the level of support for, and investment in, rural Ireland which is taking place right across Government.
Project Ireland 2040 builds on the Action Plan for Rural Development and includes a specific strategic objective of achieving strengthened rural economies and communities. To support this objective, the Government has established the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, to be overseen by my Department, which will provide €1 billion for rural development over the next 10 years.
This Fund, along with the continued implementation of the Action Plan for Rural Development, will support the economic and social development of our rural communities in the coming years.
100. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the capital investment in public libraries in 2017 and to date in 2018 in order to support the roll out of Our Public Libraries 2022 – Inspiring, Connecting and Empowering Communities. [38349/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides funding to supplement investment by local authorities in their library services. Funding is provided, for example, as a contribution towards the cost of developing library buildings, technological capacity and resources, book-stock and other areas of activity that enhance local library services.
In 2017 my Department provided funding of almost €3.5 million to libraries across the country in Libraries Strategy Funding. This funding included tagging of book-stock, hot-desk facilities, purchase of book-stock and ICT equipment. In addition to this, over €3 million was provided under my Department's Libraries Capital Investment Programme giving a total capital investment of €6.5 million in 2017.
I recently approved funding for 2018 of almost €6 million for ICT capacity, digital services and facilities in public libraries. In addition, approximately €1 million is expected to be paid under the Libraries Capital Investment Programme this year giving a total capital investment of c.€7 million in 2018.
Responsibility for the delivery of public library services is generally a matter for each local authority in its capacity as a library authority under the Local Government Act 2001. Accordingly, the primary responsibility for funding the management and development of library services including the implementation of the new Strategy rests with the local authorities.
