Written Answers Nos. 101-110
101. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of his Department's engagement with the Charities Regulator with regard to his review of State agencies that also hold charitable status; if the Attorney General has had an input into this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38583/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Charities Regulator is an independent authority which was established in October 2014 under the Charities Act 2009. The key functions of the Regulator are to establish and maintain a public register of charitable organisations operating in Ireland and ensure their compliance with the Charities Acts.
In line with section 40 of the Charities Act 2009, all organisations which had been granted charitable status by the Revenue Commissioners when the Charities Regulator was established in October 2014 were automatically entered on the Register of Charities. I understand that there are a number of such charities on the Register of Charities which currently provide government services and/or which are statutory bodies.
Under its business plan for 2018 the Charities Regulator plans to carry out a number of targeted sector reviews, which may include a review of charities which are statutory bodies. Neither my Department nor the Office of the Attorney General has had any involvement in this work.
The Charities Regulator’s 2018 business plan also provided for the publication of a sectorial report, based on an analysis of data held on the Charities Register. This report, which was published in July, analysed issues such as the income and expenditure of the sector, overall economic and social impacts, legal structure and governance, and charitable donations. A copy of the report can be downloaded at
https://www.charitiesregulator.ie/media/1489/social-and-economic-impact-report-2018.pdf
102. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the areas in which he is expanding CLÁR funding in 2019, by category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38626/18]
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.
Decisions regarding any categories or measures which might be supported under CLÁR in 2019 will be made early next year.
103. Deputy Bobby Aylward 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. [38589/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government's Action Plan for Rural Development was published in January 2017. The Plan includes a range of measures to support the revitalisation of our rural towns and villages. Progress Reports on each of the measures in the Action Plan are published on my Department's website twice-yearly, with the most recent report published last May.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is a key part of the Action Plan for Rural Development. Since the launch of the Action Plan, I have allocated €21.6 million to 281 projects throughout the country under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. This follows on from €10 million which was allocated to 170 projects under the scheme in 2016, prior to the publication of the Action Plan. The Town and Village Renewal Scheme has therefore provided in excess of €31 million to over 450 projects since 2016.
I launched the 2018 Town and Village Renewal Scheme on 27th April last, which will see up to 200 further towns and villages benefit from an indicative allocation of €15 million over the next 15 to 18 months.
The Government’s commitment to supporting rural Ireland is underscored through the creation of the new €1 billion Rural Regeneration and Development Fund as part of Project Ireland 2040. 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. The first call for proposals under this Fund is now open and applications will be accepted up to 12 noon on 27th September.
104. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the progress made by the Atlantic economic corridor task force to date including appointment of the ten Atlantic economic corridor officers and the development of hubs in each local authority area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38596/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Partnership Government and the Action Plan for Rural Development both contain a commitment to progress the concept of an Atlantic Economic Corridor. The Atlantic Economic Corridor has been recognised in the National Planning Framework as a potential key enabler to the regional growth objectives of the NPF.
The Atlantic Economic Corridor Taskforce was established in March 2017 to progress the proposal. I chair the Taskforce, which includes senior representatives from the business sector, key Government Departments, other public bodies, and Third Level institutions.
The Taskforce has met six times since it was established, most recently in Galway in June 2018, with a seventh meeting scheduled for October 2018. A number of sub-groups of the Taskforce are progressing specific aspects of the overall proposal, such as examining infrastructure needs and enterprise property assets, and developing a communications strategy.
I launched the AEC website www.atlanticeconomiccorridor.ie in Galway in June 2018.The website offers information for people thinking of setting up a business in the region, or for those interested in relocating to the region.
Local Authorities are playing a key role in ensuring a cohesive approach is taken to the development of the AEC. To support this, my Department is providing funding of €30,000 to each of the Local Authorities along the Corridor to co-fund the appointment of a dedicated AEC Officer who will work to develop and promote the AEC initiative and support the work of the Taskforce and its sub-groups. Five of these Local Authorities (Leitrim, Limerick, Clare, Mayo & Roscommon) have already appointed AEC Officers. The remaining five Local Authorities (Sligo, Kerry, Donegal, Galway City and Galway County) have interim officers in place and are in the process of designating permanent AEC Officers.
The Dormant Accounts Action Plan 2018 contains a measure aimed at supporting employment along the AEC by providing funding to support innovation hubs and digital hubs in the functional areas of the 10 Local Authorities along the corridor. As with all Dormant Account measures, a voted allocation must be made available as part of the Estimates process for the measure to proceed. The Dormant Accounts Action Plan envisages that this measure will progress in 2019, subject to the necessary voted expenditure being made available.
105. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding provided to Galway city and county under the seniors alert scheme; the number of applicants approved; the number of alert schemes installed in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; the funding allocated to Galway city and county for 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38598/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total allocation for the Seniors Alert Scheme (SAS) in 2016 was €2.3m of which €1.8m was spent. Following a review, I launched a new scheme which took effect on 1 November 2017. A media and information campaign was organised to support the launch.
I am pleased to say that since the launch of the new Seniors Alert Scheme, the demand has been unprecedented. During 2017, spend on the Scheme amounted to €2.7m, 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.
Since the Seniors Alert Scheme commenced in September 2015, 2,484 participants have been approved for the Scheme in County Galway, broken down as follows.
|
Year |
Approved participants |
|
2015 |
81 |
|
2016 |
538 |
|
2017 |
872 |
|
To end August 2018 |
993 |
|
Total |
2,484 |
The lot-based tender system for suppliers combines a number of counties into each of the seven lots, and payments are made to the suppliers in each of these lots. Therefore it is not possible to say with full accuracy how much funding has been given to each county. The Senior Alert Scheme is demand led and funding is allocated to meet the demand under the Scheme and is not divided on a geographical basis.
My officials are carefully monitoring the scheme to ensure that current levels of demand can continue to be met from within the resources available to my Department. The funding allocation for 2019 is currently under consideration as part over of the overall 2019 Estimates process.
106. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the Atlantic economic corridor, including the recruitment of AEC officers in the relevant counties. [38323/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Partnership Government and the Action Plan for Rural Development both contain a commitment to progress the concept of an Atlantic Economic Corridor. The Atlantic Economic Corridor has also been recognised in the National Planning Framework as a potential key enabler to the regional growth objectives of the NPF.
The Atlantic Economic Corridor Taskforce was established in March 2017 to progress the proposal. I chair the Taskforce, which includes senior representatives from the business sector, key Government Departments, other public bodies, and Third Level institutions.
The Taskforce has met six times since it was established, most recently in Galway in June 2018, with a seventh meeting scheduled for October 2018. A number of sub-groups of the Taskforce are progressing specific aspects of the overall proposal, such as examining infrastructure needs and enterprise property assets, and developing a communications strategy.
I launched the AEC website www.atlanticeconomiccorridor.ie in Galway in June 2018. The website offers information for people thinking of setting up a business in the region, or for those interested in relocating to the region.
Local Authorities are playing a key role in ensuring a cohesive approach is taken to the development of the AEC. To support this, my Department is providing funding of €30,000 to each of the Local Authorities along the Corridor to co-fund the appointment of a dedicated AEC Officer who will work to develop and promote the AEC initiative and support the work of the Taskforce and its sub-groups. Five of these Local Authorities (Leitrim, Limerick, Clare, Mayo and Roscommon) have already appointed AEC Officers. The remaining five Local Authorities (Sligo, Kerry, Donegal, Galway City and Galway County) have interim officers in place and are in the process of designating AEC Officers to fulfil the role on a permanent basis.
107. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the financial allocations in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018 for the seniors alert scheme; the take-up to date of the scheme in County Kildare since 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38571/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe allocation for the Seniors Alert Scheme in 2016 was €2.3m of which €1.8m was spent. Following a review, I launched a new scheme which took effect on 1 November 2017. A media and information campaign was organised to support the launch.
I am pleased to say that since the launch of the new scheme, the demand has been unprecedented. During 2017, spend on the Scheme amounted to €2.7m, 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 €5.4million.
Since the Seniors Alert Scheme commenced in September 2015, 1,102 participants have been approved for the Scheme in County Kildare, broken down as follows:
|
Year |
Approved Participants |
|
2015 |
69 |
|
2016 |
247 |
|
2017 |
383 |
|
To end August 2018 |
403 |
|
Total |
1,102 |
The Senior Alert Scheme is demand led and funding is allocated to meet the demand under the Scheme and is not divided on a geographical basis.
My officials are carefully monitoring the scheme to ensure that current levels of demand can continue to be met from within the resources available to my Department. The funding allocation for 2019 is currently under consideration as part over of the overall 2019 Estimates process.
108. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will report on the engagement of public participation networks here; the way in which the opportunity to partake in public participation networks is advertised among communities and local authority areas; if changes to the running of the networks are planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38388/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides funding and support to 31 Public Participation Networks (PPNs) nationwide. This year, funding of up to €50,000 has been provided to each local authority to support the work of the PPNs, supplemented by a minimum of €30,000 per annum from each authority’s own resources. In addition, my Department continues to support the on-going development of the PPNs, through supporting the work of the National Advisory Group, the provision of a data base, and the development of a User Guide.
The principal role of the National PPN Advisory Group is to monitor and evaluate PPNs regularly in line with best practice. Along with its monitoring role, the Advisory Group is also charged with advising and supporting the Department of Rural and Community Development in the further development of PPNs. The 2017 PPN Annual Report makes a number of recommendations which will be considered by the National Advisory Group as part of its ongoing work programme. These include a national publicity campaign to promote awareness and understanding of the PPNs, a review of the PPN Guidelines and structures and extra administrative resources to support the PPN development role.
PPNs have now been established in all local authority areas. Some are more firmly established than others, largely reflecting the timing of setting up arrangements, recruitment of resource workers and the formation of the various groupings required for PPNs to function.
In 2017, almost 13,000 organisations were members of 29 local PPNs surveyed. PPNs have developed communications activities to increase awareness of the organisation right across the community. This is rolled out to members and communities through various communication channels, including e-bulletins, social media, websites, promotional materials, local events and local radio.
PPN's are currently updating their membership database and are using this opportunity to identify and actively target community and voluntary groups that are not currently members of the PPN. There is a strong emphasis on engaging with the most marginalised members of communities that are not currently represented by any group in the PPN structures.
109. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the town and village renewal scheme; when applications from counties Carlow and Kilkenny can be submitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38590/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2018 Town and Village Renewal Scheme was launched on 27th April last. The scheme is funded by my Department and administered through the Local Authorities.
Under the scheme, Local Authorities were required to seek expressions of interest from communities for project proposals and were invited to select up to 12 proposals for submission to my Department for consideration. The closing date for submission of applications to the Department was 30th June 2018.
My Department received 290 applications in total under the scheme, including 12 applications from Carlow County Council and 7 applications from Kilkenny County Council.
My officials are currently assessing all applications received and it is anticipated that the successful projects will be announced shortly. Projects will be expected to commence by the end of the year and to be completed within a period of up to 18 months.
Over €31.6 million has been approved for more than 450 projects across the country under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme since it was introduced in the second half of 2016. It is anticipated that a further 200 projects will be supported under this year's scheme, with indicative funding of €15 million available.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is an important part of the Government's Action Plan for Rural Development. 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.
110. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which each of the 34 recommendations of the CEDRA report have been implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38594/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA) was established in November 2012 as an independent expert group to examine and report on the medium-term economic development of rural Ireland to 2025. The CEDRA report was published in April 2014. The priority recommendation made by CEDRA was the need for a co-ordinated approach to rural development across Government, led by a Cabinet Minister.
The 2016 Programme for a Partnership Government included a commitment to appoint a Government Minister and Department to provide greater political coordination and prioritisation of the work of other Departments in relevant areas that impact on rural Ireland. The assignment of these responsibilities to the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in May 2016, and the subsequent establishment of the dedicated Department of Rural and Community Development in July 2017, has addressed this priority recommendation of CEDRA and has ensured representation at Cabinet for rural and community development issues.
The Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development which was published in January 2017 builds on, and goes further than, the CEDRA report in that it seeks to address not just the economic development of rural areas, but also seeks to support the social and cultural development of rural communities across the country. Many of the recommendations in the CEDRA report which had not yet been implemented were integrated into the Action Plan.
My Department recently reviewed all of the recommendations in the CEDRA report and found that the recommendations have either been implemented, where feasible, or are being addressed through the Action Plan for Rural Development or other Government initiatives.
