Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 May 2019
1374. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to consider streamlining the criteria required for small grants applications, for example, LEADER and CLÁR; and his views on a streamlined process for grants up to €5,000 to ease cumbersome applications. [18907/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department operates a number of schemes that can provide small-scale financial supports and grants to community groups and organisations, these include the Community Enhancement Programme and the CLÁR Programme. The application processes for these programmes are reviewed before each call for applications is issued to ensure they are user friendly and fit for purpose.
Following a review of the criteria for the CLÁR Programme, my Department initiated a process for the 2019 programme whereby local authorities further assist communities by verifying information for applicants and ensuring that all required permissions, match-funding, etc., are in place so applications fulfil all the scheme requirements.
The Community Enhancement Programme is also the result of a review of the Communities Facilities Scheme and RAPID programme and provides a more flexible, streamlined and targeted approach to providing small scale infrastructure funding of a regenerative nature to enhance facilities in disadvantaged communities.
My Department also offers information sessions and workshops for communities and groups on its funding programmes and schemes. This is done to help applicants understand the schemes, criteria which apply and with completing the application process.
I am acutely aware of the issues faced by some communities who wish to apply for funding, but are hampered in completing applications forms in a satisfactory manner due to capacity issues.
To assist communities a series of regional ‘Rural Opportunity' information sessions were hosted by my Department recently to provide support and guidance to potential applicants for funding and to raise awareness of the wide variety of funding supports available to rural communities from across Government Departments.
In addition, the first of six 'Helping Hands' workshops took place in Ballina on 25 April 2019 with further workshops scheduled across the country throughout May 2019. This series of events is aimed at making groups more aware of grant programmes, and to provide guidance on how to make an application. The events are aimed at community groups that have had no success, or limited success, previously and aim to provide hints and tips on how to make a better application and how to identify local supports that community groups can draw upon.
The LEADER programme which comes under the remit of my Department is delivered through Local Action Groups (LAGs) in each of the 28 sub-regional areas. I am committed to making the application process for LEADER as efficient as possible for all applicants.
My Department engages regularly with the Local Action Groups (LAGs) that deliver LEADER to identify potential areas for programme improvement. Following a forum held with the LAGs in May 2017, I have implemented a series of 31 improvements to streamline the LEADER programme. I will continue to closely monitor the implementation of the LEADER Programme to ensure the process is as streamlined as possible while being mindful of the EU Regulations governing the Programme.
I believe these efforts will see any administrative barriers that may exist reduced in order that our funding has the broadest possible reach and that all eligible groups have the opportunity to access available supports.
In addition, my Department is committed to keeping under review the administration of all our funding programmes and schemes to ensure they remain fit for purpose, targeted, can be accessed by those who need the supports most and are delivering benefits for communities across the country. I welcome feedback on our programmes and schemes from communities so we can continue to do this.
