Written Answers Nos. 1-86
57. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he has met with local authority broadband officers since his appointment; and the local authorities he has met with on the issue of broadband provision. [3372/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince my appointment as Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development, I have met with the Broadband Officers from all 31 Local Authorities on a number of occasions. The Broadband Officers are co-funded by my Department and they meet collectively on a regular basis in the form of the Telecommunications Action Group, or TAG, which is convened by my Department.
On 25th January last, I attended the TAG meeting in Galway, where I held bilateral meetings with each of the 31 Broadband Officers. The Chief Executives or Directors of Service of each Local Authority were also present at those meetings. Issues relating to the rollout of telecommunication services were discussed during these meetings.
On 18th February, I attended the TAG meeting at the Dublin Smart Cities offices, where I met with the Broadband Officers from all Local Authorities to discuss similar issues.
The TAG meetings provide an invaluable opportunity for direct contact between Government officials and Broadband Officers on issues of mutual concern. TAG meetings also provide the opportunity for the exchange of experience, expertise and ideas between members of the Broadband Officers network and for each Local Authority to outline particular areas that need to be addressed.
Through my meetings with the Local Authorities, I have witnessed at first hand the work being carried out all over the country in relation to telecommunications provision. I have been impressed at the enthusiasm and positivity of all of the Broadband Officers in helping to improve mobile phone and broadband services throughout the country. The role of the Broadband Officers has also been widely welcomed by industry, as it provides an important local point of contact on telecommunications matters.
59. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the scheme to support national organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15440/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO) is a key element of my Department's support for the role of the Community and Voluntary sector in contributing to the development of a strong and vibrant civil society.
The scheme provides multi-annual funding towards the core costs of national organisations, with a particular focus on organisations that provide supports to those who are disadvantaged. A total of €16.7m has been allocated under the current scheme to 71 different national organisations. The current three-year scheme concludes on 30 June 2019 and the next iteration of the scheme will commence on 1 July.
As with the current scheme, the new round of funding will be allocated through a competitive process. Applications for the new scheme were invited in December 2018 with a closing date of 31 January. An appraisal of the applications is now being conducted by Pobal on behalf of my Department and a detailed report will be sent to the Department for my consideration in the coming weeks. Applicants will be informed in due course of their success or otherwise in qualifying for funding.
62. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to improve the funding available to Tidy Towns groups nationally. [15469/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe TidyTowns competition was originally launched by Fáilte Ireland over 60 years ago. Since its inception, the competition has grown from 52 entrants in 1958, to 883 entrants in 2018. The continued success of the competition is due to the countless hours of effort from TidyTowns Committees the length and breadth of the country.
As Minister for Rural and Community Development, I was delighted to be in a position to announce grant funding to TidyTowns Committees of €1.4 million for each of the years 2017 and 2018, to mark the 60th anniversary of the competition. This funding has allowed the Committees to prepare better for the annual competition through the purchase or upgrade of small equipment and other materials.
Under the 2017 allocation, 906 TidyTowns Committees received grant funding of between €1,000 and €4,000 each, depending on the size of their town or village.
Under the 2018 allocation, 843 TidyTowns Committees have received similar levels of funding, with a number of applications still to be processed.
I will consider, later this year, whether I will be in a position to allocate funding to the TidyTowns Committees through this particular funding stream in 2019.
However, it should be noted that TidyTowns Committees can apply for funding to other schemes within my Department, such as the Community Enhancement Programme. This programme is administered through the Local Community Development Committees.
In 2018, 158 applications were approved for funding of €536,816 to TidyTowns Committees under the Community Enhancement Programme.
67. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will provide resources to communities to assist with the submission of applications for funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15202/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister with responsibility for Rural and Community Development I am acutely aware of the issues faced by some communities and groups in applying for funding due to capacity issues and the administrative burden associated with the process. To address this issue, my Department provides support and guidance through for example, the ‘Rural Opportunity' information sessions currently being rolled out to raise awareness of the wide variety of supports available to rural communities from across Government Departments.
In addition, the 'Helping Hands' workshops will run in April and May next for community groups or groups who have had no, or limited, success so far in being awarded funding under national funding streams.
My Department's €1Billion, Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, (RRDF), was launched in 2018. The Department held a Feedback Workshop with lead partners who had submitted applications in order to provide them with information on the results of the call, and to build up their capacity to submit successful applications into the future.
The Local Development Companies that implement my Department's Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) provide support to help community groups develop so that they are in a position to submit good quality bids for competitive funding streams. This is done through providing direct supports such as capacity building work or the allocation of small grants up to a maximum of €1,500.
Project Development Officers employed by the Local Development Companies (LDC) provide assistance to prospective promoters in preparing their applications for funding under LEADER.
In 2018 Pobal, which administers the Social Enterprise Measure of the Dormant Accounts Fund on behalf of the Department, organised an information session for prospective applicants, including community organisations.
My Department's capacity building supports enable community groups to submit good quality bids for competitive funding streams.
71. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the review of the CLÁR programme; the take-up and drawdown in funding to date since it was re-established; and the status of the drawdown in funding to date of the town and village renewal scheme since established. [15472/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the CLÁR programme supports communities in rural areas which have experienced significant levels of depopulation. I reopened the programme in 2016, following its closure in 2010 for new applications.
The areas included in the CLÁR programme since 2016 were based on an analysis of the 2002 Census data by the NIRSA Institute at Maynooth University. It is timely that the data should now be reviewed to ensure that we are continuing to support the areas in most need under the CLÁR programme.
I therefore commenced a review of the programme in November 2018 to examine CLÁR areas by reference to the 2016 Census of Population data. The process began with a targeted consultation meeting with a number of experts who are recognised for their background in rural development, to provide some guidance on the matter. My Department has been exploring the possibility of the NIRSA Institute carrying out work on the 2016 Census data.
Since I re-opened CLÁR in 2016, over 1,200 projects have been funded under the programme and the drawdown in funding to date is €22.759 million. Details of all approved projects are available on my Department's website.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme was introduced in the second half of 2016. Since then, €53 million has been allocated to over 670 projects across the country, and approximately €24.5 million in funding has been drawn down.
It should be noted that projects under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme can typically take 12 to 18 months to complete and, since 2017, final payments are made only when projects have been completed.
72. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the independent review of the charitable status of Pobal will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15359/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraPobal is a not for profit company which was originally 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 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.
Pobal has undertaken a review of its charitable status and in that regard sought independent legal advice on the matter. The review has now concluded. A report was presented to the Board of Pobal at their meeting in January and the matter is still under consideration.
Once the Board has completed its consideration of the report, Pobal will brief my officials in relation to any matters arising. The question of publication would be a matter for the Pobal Board.
73. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund could be used to fund the capital works necessary to open Killucan station on the Dublin to Sligo line in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15199/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt would not be appropriate for me to give a view at this time on the merits or otherwise of any individual project which may seek funding in the future.
I am considering what the focus of the second call for funding under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund should be and I hope to make an announcement on this shortly. In advance of any announcement I am carefully considering the feedback received on the first call for funding.
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund is there to support ambitious and strategic projects which have the potential to transform rural economies and communities. The Government has committed €1 billion over 10 years to the Fund.
The first call for proposals led to funding countrywide of €86 million. Full details on all the requirements which projects seeking funding under this first call had to meet can be found on my Departments web-site.
It is worth noting that calls under the Fund are determined on a competitive basis and not all projects which meet the requirements may be funded.
In that regard, all applications to the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund undergo a comprehensive evaluation process. This involves assessment by my Department and oversight by a Project Advisory Board, established to make recommendations on the suitability of applications for funding.
In relation to your question therefore I cannot comment on individual projects or be prescriptive at this stage on what the requirements of the next call will be. I do not expect the overall objectives of the Fund to change however and it will be up to applicants to show in their applications how they meet all the requirements and objectives of the Fund.
74. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of Rural Regeneration and Development Fund applications received from west County Galway related to category 1 and category 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15356/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe first call for applications to the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund closed in September 2018 . There were 280 applications received, 126 of which were Category 1 “shovel ready” projects while 154 related to Category 2 projects - those which needed development funding to become potential Category 1 applications in future calls for applications.
My Department received 14 applications for proposals either wholly or partially located in County Galway - nine Category 1 proposals and five Category 2 proposals.
Of these, nine applications were approved for funding - four Category 1 proposals and five Category 2 proposals. In total Galway County received funding of €8.27 million from the Fund.
Table 1. List of Successful Category 1 projects taking place, either wholly or partially, in County Galway.
|
County |
Location |
Project |
Lead Applicant |
|
Clare; Donegal; Galway; Kerry; Mayo; Wicklow |
Multiple Locations across 6 counties (Works will take place in Derrycrag Wood Nature Reserve, near Woodford, Co. Galway) |
National Parks |
Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht |
|
Galway |
Athenry |
Athenry / Bia Innovator |
Galway County Council |
|
Galway |
Tullycross, Renvyle |
Tullycross Residential Education Centre |
Western Development Commission |
|
Galway |
An Spidéal |
gteic Hub An Spidéal |
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
Table 2. List of Successful Category 2 projects taking place, either wholly or partially, in County Galway.
|
County |
Location |
Project |
Lead Applicant |
|
Clare; Donegal; Galway; Kerry; Mayo; Wicklow |
Multiple Locations across 6 counties (Project development work in Co. Galway will take place in respect of Connemara Visitors Centre and Coole Park Visitor Experience) |
National Parks |
Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht |
|
Galway; Mayo |
This project will underpin the development of a UNESCO Global Geopark in a large area stradding Counties Galway and Mayo. Project development will primarily examine the landscape around the villages of Ballintubber, Partry, Tourmakeady, Finny, Leenane, Recess, Maam, Maam Cross, Kilmilkin, Clochbhreac, Cornamona, Oughterard, Cong, Clonbur and The Neale, and encompass Loughs Carra and Mask, and an area of Lough Corrib. |
Geopark Development |
Geological Survey Ireland |
|
Galway |
Dunmore |
Dunmore Regeneration |
Galway County Council |
|
Galway |
Tuam |
Tuam Regeneration Strategy |
Galway County Council |
|
Galway |
Kinvara |
Kinvara Boardwalk and Walkway |
Galway County Council |
75. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when he expects to make an announcement on the projects and programmes to be supported under the 2019 community enhancement programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15244/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraLast week I launched the 2019 Community Enhancement Programme with funding of €4.5m. The programme provides capital grants to community groups to help them to develop facilities in disadvantaged areas. The amounts allocated to each Local Authority area for 2019 are available on my Department’s website.
The programme is administered in each area by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs). Groups can apply for funding to their LCDC and once that process is complete my Department will compile and publish a list of all supported projects.
In 2018 there was a huge level of interest in the programme right across the country and over 3,000 projects were funded, all of them targeted at enhancing facilities in disadvantaged communities.
Grants under the programme in 2018 covered a wide range in all areas of communities, such as childcare facilities, playgrounds, sports grounds, landscaping projects, and supports for the elderly. Details regarding the projects funded in 2018 are available on my Department's website.
76. 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. [15417/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Action Plan for Rural Development includes a range of measures for delivery across a number of Government Departments and Local Authorities to support the revitalisation of rural towns and villages.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme, which is administered by my Department, is a key part of the package of supports. The scheme was first introduced in the second half of 2016, and since then, €53 million has been allocated to over 670 projects throughout the country.
I have secured an allocation of €15 million for the Town and Village Renewal Scheme in my Department's budget for 2019, and I will be announcing details of the 2019 scheme shortly.
In addition, I launched a pilot scheme last October to identify ways to encourage more people to live in rural towns and villages. Six rural towns are participating in the initial pilot initiative.
Funding of up to €100,000 is being made available to each of the six towns to develop proposals to encourage town centre living. It is envisaged that ideas which emerge from this process could lead to applications being made to the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund to support the implementation of the proposals.
The €1 billion Rural Regeneration and Development Fund was launched last year as part of the Government's Project Ireland 2040 strategy. This Fund provides an opportunity to deliver integrated and ambitious projects which will further support the revitalisation of our rural towns and villages.
77. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the 2019 CLÁR programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15231/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe CLÁR programme provides funding for small scale infrastructure projects in rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population.
The programme was closed for new applications in 2010. However I re-launched CLÁR in 2016, and since then more than 1,200 projects have benefited from funding of €25 million under the programme.
I launched the 2019 CLÁR programme on 28th February last. The measures being funded under the programme this year are:
Measure 1: Support for Schools and Community Safety measures
Measure 2: Play Areas, including Multi-Use Games Areas
Measure 3: Community Wellbeing Supports.
The “Community Wellbeing Support” measure covers the assistance given in previous years for voluntary first-response organisations and for transport to bring people to cancer care centres and other respite services.
This measure will also, for the first time, provide funding for the development of sensory gardens and complementary play equipment. These gardens are designed to stimulate the senses and can be of particular benefit in enhancing the quality of life for people with a range of disabilities.
The closing date for receipt of applications under all CLÁR 2019 measures is the 25th April.
78. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a consultation report has been published regarding the community services programme; if so, the main findings of the report; the number of programmes supported by this scheme; the number of persons supported in employment by this scheme; his plans for the continuation of the programme beyond 2019 in its present form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15245/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Community Services Programme, or CSP, supports around 400 community organisations to provide local services through a social enterprise model. Funding is provided as a contribution to the cost of a manager and an agreed number of full-time equivalent (FTE) positions.
More than €46 million is available under the programme in 2019. Between part-time and full-time positions, some 3,000 people are supported through the CSP, comprising 1,660 FTEs and 306 managers.
My Department recently commenced a review of the CSP. A review was considered opportune as the programme had not been formally reviewed since 2006, during which time the external environment had changed significantly.
The review will consider how the programme fits with overall Government priorities, as well as with my Department’s other community programmes and policy objectives, and will help inform decisions on the future shape and structure of the programme.
The review is being carried out by an independent review body. It will take six months to complete, with a final report expected in early Autumn 2019. I am committed to continuing the CSP from 2020; however, it would be inappropriate to comment on the future shape of the programme pending completion of the review.
79. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of plans to develop a national volunteering strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15230/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's Community and Voluntary Supports and Programmes provide a cohesive framework of support for the community and voluntary sector. €3.5m is being provided in 2019 under this programme to support 21 Volunteer Centres, 8 Volunteer Information Services in areas without a Volunteer Centre and a number of volunteer-supporting organisations, such as Volunteer Ireland.
Last December, I launched a Call for Input paper on Volunteering which was the first step in developing a national volunteering strategy. This was designed to inform stakeholders about the proposed development of the volunteering strategy and seek their views on what constitutes volunteering and what the strategy should contain.
My Department is currently collating the information received following this Call for Input exercise. Among the topics under consideration in this context is the issue of volunteering support infrastructure and how best this can be structured to support volunteering.
Also under consideration is a proposal to establish a National Advisory Group which will be tasked with developing the strategy. It is anticipated that the first meeting of this group will be convened in Q2 2019 and that the draft strategy will be completed later this year, following which there will be a further opportunity for the public to input on the matter before the strategy is presented to Government for approval.
80. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when he plans to invite applications for the 2019 Rural Regeneration Development Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15438/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra93. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund; and the amount allocated at the end of February 2019. [15475/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra100. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of applications made under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund to date by category; the number of applications granted funding by category; the funding approved for the scheme in 2019; the number of payments made to date for approved projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15473/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra101. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when a further call for funding under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15357/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 80, 93, 100 and 101 together.
The first call for applications for the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund closed at the end of September.
There were 280 applications received. 126 applications were Category 1 “shovel ready” projects while 154 related to Category 2 projects - those which needed development funding to become potential Category 1 applications in future calls for applications.
In November 2018, I announced the first set of 18 successful Category 1 projects, providing €24.4m in funding for projects with an overall value of €34.6m. Last month in Castleblayney, I announced another 20 successful Category 1 projects and 46 Category 2 projects which will benefit from support from the Fund of €62m, with a total project value of €83m. Overall, this first call from the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund will provide €86m in support for projects worth €117m.
My Department is currently finalising milestones and schedules with the successful lead applicants as part of due diligence and contractual arrangements. Payment dates are also being agreed as part of this process.
In terms of the second call for applications under the Fund, I can confirm that I expect to be in a position to make an announcement in that regard shortly. Before making this announcement I am reflecting on the first call, any lessons which can learned from it and the feedback my Department and I have received from applicants on their experience to date.
81. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to invite applications under the town and village renewal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15235/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Town and Village Renewal Scheme forms an important part of the Action Plan for Rural Development and has the potential to stimulate economic recovery and job creation in communities across rural Ireland. The scheme is specifically focused on rural towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000 people.
Since its introduction in 2016, almost €53 million has been approved for more than 670 projects across the country. These projects cover a range of activities, from improving the public realm in order to make towns and villages more attractive for locals and visitors alike, to job-creation and tourism/heritage projects.
I have secured an allocation of €15 million in my Department's budget this year for the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. Details of the 2019 Scheme are currently being finalised by my officials and I anticipate that the scheme will be launched shortly.
82. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when it is planned to introduce an insurance indemnity for farmers and landholders who participate in the mountain access scheme; the reason for the delay with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15415/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, my Department has been working to develop a National Indemnity Scheme to indemnify private land owners, particularly in Mountain Access Scheme areas, with regard to the use of their lands for recreational purposes.
This is a complex issue and the legal rights of landowners must be respected, while trying to facilitate access to their lands for recreational users on a permissive basis. However, the introduction of such a scheme is a key priority for my Department to support the continued provision of access to the countryside for recreational users.
My Department has been advised that an indemnity scheme such as the one envisaged will require legislative provision. In this context, my officials have sought advice from the Attorney General's Office on the proposed scope, roll-out, and the legal processes required to give effect to such a scheme. Further contact between officials is likely to take place over the coming weeks on the matter.
It is envisaged that this scheme, once introduced, will come into effect in upland areas initially on a phased basis.
83. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the sub-group between his Department and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment which is examining the feasibility of using State and publicly owned assets for the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure has reported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15478/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce was established in July 2016 on foot of a Programme for Government commitment to identify solutions to alleviate telecommunications deficits, particularly in rural Ireland, prior to full build and roll-out of high speed broadband in the State intervention area under the National Broadband Plan.
The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment are working together, in close collaboration with key stakeholders, to deliver on the objectives of the Taskforce.
A sub-group of the Taskforce was established in 2018 to explore the feasibility of developing a standardised policy for accessing and utilising State assets for the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure.
The Working Group met on a regular basis in 2018 and formed the view that a Government Policy Statement on the Strategic Importance of Facilitating Telecommunications Access to State and Publicly owned Assets was required in order to open up additional avenues for telecommunication providers to site and locate essential telecommunication infrastructure. It is anticipated that a Policy Statement will be presented to Government for consideration by the end of Quarter 2 2019.
85. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the degree to which he foresees an opportunity to introduce new schemes or the augmentation of the existing structures to direct assistance towards both urban and rural communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15447/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra209. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which he expects to be in a position to augment or extend the various grants or incentives administered by his Department nationally affecting rural and urban areas with particular reference to the targeting of areas suffering from social and or economic deprivation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15626/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 209 together.
The Department for Rural and Community Development was established in 2017 to support the creation of vibrant and sustainable communities across this country.
My Department delivers a coherent package of supports to strengthen rural and urban communities. These supports enable economic growth and development and also support communities to address gaps in meeting social needs, including those caused by higher levels of deprivation.
My Department will continue to support our communities to become and remain sustainable and desirable places to live, work and raise families and we are committed to reviewing funding priorities on an ongoing basis to ensure supports remain targeted at those most in need.
In 2018, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund was launched as part of Project Ireland 2040 and this fund will provide €1 billion over the next 10 years, while the Town Centre Living Initiative, a pilot programme aimed at testing approaches to the revitalisation of towns and villages, was rolled out in six towns across the country.
The Community Enhancement Programme, born out of a review of the RAPID and Communities Facilities Scheme, was launched in 2018 to address disadvantage in urban and rural communities and allocated €13million to more than 3,000 projects in its first year. The 2019 Scheme was launched last week with an allocation of €4.5million.
In addition, since its establishment, my Department has also relaunched the Local Improvement Scheme for private rural roads and laneways and broadened the measures under which funding can be applied for under the CLÁR Programme, and a new Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme, worth €190 million over five years to the end of 2022, was commenced.
I have just commenced a review of the Community Services Programme, which provides funding to organisations delivering services in disadvantaged communities. This review will help inform decisions on the future shape and structure of the programme. More than €46 million is available to support community organisations under the programme in 2019.
The current Action Plan for Rural Development, a comprehensive cross-Government plan to support economic and social development in Ireland’s rural areas, runs to the end of 2019 and consideration is now being given to future rural development policy. A key deliverable for my Department during 2019 will be the development of a rural development policy to follow on from the Action Plan for Rural Development.
An implementation plan for the Framework Policy for Local and Community Development in Ireland, published in 2016, as well as Ireland’s first National Policy on Social Enterprise, are also currently at an advanced stage of development.
I am confident that these plans will propose actions that will support rural economic development and the local and community development sectors to continue providing valuable needed services and supports to both urban and rural communities.
86. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the discussions he has had with the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment with regard to broadband provision in rural areas; the progress of the provision of a map of blackspots in mobile coverage undertaken by the mobile phone and broadband taskforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15471/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister of State for Natural Resources, Community Affairs and Digital Development, I work across both the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. I also chair the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce, a cross-Government body co-ordinated by officials of the two Departments.
I am keenly aware of the importance of access to high-speed, high-quality broadband services in rural areas and I engage regularly with my Ministerial colleagues in both Departments on how we can collaboratively remove barriers to the rollout of telecommunications infrastructure.
With regard to mobile phone blackspots, in 2017, officials from my Department, the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and a small number of Local Authorities met to examine the potential for mapping mobile phone blackspots in Ireland.
On foot of these meetings, an invitation was issued in late 2017 to all Local Authorities to provide data on 5 or 6 prioritised local blackspots, with a view to examining the potential for mapping mobile phone blackspots in Ireland.
The objective was not to compile a definitive list of blackspots across the country, but to identify areas of immediate priority for the purposes of testing an approach to the mapping of blackspots.
While the exercise was informative, it was not comprehensive. Of the thirty one Local Authorities, only seventeen returned data to feed into the exercise.
ComReg has recently published a national map of outdoor mobile phone coverage for 2G, 3G and 4G services for a range of providers. This map, which is available on ComReg’s website, shows the quality and prevalence of mobile phone coverage right across the country for each provider. It will prove to be a useful tool for consumers on the services available in their areas.
