Written Answers Nos. 1-27
11. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 15 of 11 July 2019, when he plans to publish the findings of the review of the charitable status of Pobal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43831/19]
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.
On its own initiative, Pobal undertook a review of its charitable status and in that regard sought independent legal advice on the matter. The Board of Pobal met in May 2019 to finalise their discussions relating to the review. I understand that it was decided by the Board that it was appropriate for the company to retain its charitable status. An update on the review was provided to my officials at an Oversight Meeting in June. I am satisfied that the Board of Pobal have considered the matter thoroughly and have acted appropriately. The report provided to the Board in relation to the review can be found on Pobal's website.
12. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the approved projects for CLÁR funding for the north Cork region in 2018 and 2019; and the number of approved projects that have received funding to date in the region. [43808/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra15. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of CLÁR funding for the north Cork region. [43807/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 15 together.
The CLÁR programme provides funding for small infrastructure projects in rural areas which have suffered high levels of population loss. The programme was closed for new applications in 2010. However, I re-launched CLÁR in 2016 and since then, almost €33 million has been allocated to over 1,400 projects under the programme.
Not all areas are eligible for CLÁR funding, as CLÁR areas are determined by the level of population loss using CSO data. The area within each county that is eligible for CLÁR varies greatly. For example, Leitrim is a relatively small county but all of Leitrim is designated as a CLÁR area. A number of counties do not have any CLÁR areas at all.
There was a huge level of interest in the CLÁR Programme this year, with almost 500 applications received. The level of funding sought in those applications far exceeded the available budget.
Nonetheless, almost €6 million has been allocated to 179 projects under the CLÁR programme this year. This includes funding for 8 projects in County Cork to the value of almost €300,000.
A total of €1.89 million has now been allocated to 74 projects in Cork county as a whole since 2016 under CLÁR. Details of all projects approved under the programme are available on the Gov.ie website.
The level of funding approved under Measures 1 and 2 of the CLÁR Programme (Schools and Play Areas) this year reflected the extent of the designated CLÁR areas in each county. Counties which have a larger percentage of their geographic area in CLÁR had more projects approved than counties that have a smaller percentage in CLÁR.
I think that the approach taken is fair, given the targeted nature of the programme. Other counties perform well in relation to other rural and community development programmes delivered by my Department.
13. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount approved for projects to date under the current LEADER programme by LAG; the amount paid out to date by LAG; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43832/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraLEADER is a multi-annual programme with a budget of €250 million over the period 2014-2020. €225 million of this budget is allocated to Local Action Groups, or LAGs, who deliver the programme and approve projects at local level. This allocation includes €5 million in additional funding which I have allocated to the top 10 performing LAGs this week.
The balance of €25 million is provided for thematic projects which are approved at national level.
Total expenditure on the LEADER programme since it commenced, effectively in 2016, is almost €70 million. This includes expenditure on projects and the operating costs of the LAGs. €36.1 million has been paid out in respect of projects.
The level of project approvals under the LEADER programme has increased significantly over the last year. Over 2,400 projects have now been approved for funding of over €91.8 million since the programme commenced. A further 310 project applications, requesting in excess of €26.4 million, are at various stages in the approval process.
The table which I am supplying to the Deputy provides a breakdown of the projects approved by each Local Action Group, together with details of the project payments made to date. The figures do not include expenditure or approvals under national-level thematic schemes, such as the LEADER Food Initiative and Co-operation Projects, as they are not funded from the LAGs' core project allocations.
Table 1: Total LEADER Project approvals and payments by LAG as at 21 October 2019
|
Local Action Group |
Project Allocation |
Projects Approved |
Projects Approved |
Project Payments made |
|
Name |
Value |
No |
Value |
Value |
|
Carlow |
€4,797,602 |
37 |
€2,518,546 |
€1,428,860 |
|
Cavan |
€6,391,715 |
72 |
€3,723,016 |
€1,887,027 |
|
Clare |
€6,645,000 |
152 |
€4,339,003 |
€1,300,552 |
|
Cork North |
€3,810,543 |
67 |
€2,576,917 |
€913,364 |
|
Cork South |
€2,803,477 |
28 |
€1,084,290 |
€484,996 |
|
Cork West |
€3,691,755 |
32 |
€1,603,015 |
€354,470 |
|
Donegal |
€9,631,407 |
134 |
€5,864,195 |
€3,397,671 |
|
Dublin Rural |
€4,777,829 |
55 |
€1,734,719 |
€617,746 |
|
Galway East |
€5,741,888 |
58 |
€2,050,477 |
€685,595 |
|
Galway West |
€3,425,425 |
45 |
€1,477,922 |
€353,357 |
|
Kerry |
€7,650,904 |
275 |
€5,939,501 |
€2,437,013 |
|
Kildare |
€3,946,200 |
27 |
€1,526,855 |
€427,333 |
|
Kilkenny |
€5,798,949 |
85 |
€2,080,447 |
€876,213 |
|
Laois |
€5,325,000 |
73 |
€1,790,818 |
€905,725 |
|
Leitrim |
€4,490,000 |
93 |
€3,077,552 |
€1,010,199 |
|
Limerick |
€6,946,151 |
92 |
€5,288,318 |
€1,940,475 |
|
Longford |
€5,698,500 |
66 |
€1,918,801 |
€739,482 |
|
Louth |
€4,576,397 |
82 |
€2,234,980 |
€825,988 |
|
Mayo |
€8,260,822 |
145 |
€5,787,706 |
€2,341,988 |
|
Meath |
€5,137,345 |
66 |
€3,017,733 |
€504,807 |
|
Monaghan |
€5,694,500 |
49 |
€2,690,040 |
€1,209,444 |
|
Offaly |
€6,000,000 |
133 |
€3,519,624 |
€1,897,070 |
|
Roscommon |
€6,581,283 |
63 |
€4,711,459 |
€1,053,989 |
|
Sligo |
€5,720,737 |
98 |
€3,382,525 |
€1,308,879 |
|
Tipperary |
€7,562,584 |
143 |
€5,200,098 |
€2,015,985 |
|
Waterford |
€5,525,346 |
60 |
€4,033,762 |
€2,190,951 |
|
Westmeath |
€5,563,495 |
70 |
€2,591,255 |
€423,892 |
|
Wexford |
€7,580,104 |
103 |
€3,901,122 |
€1,897,259 |
|
Wicklow |
€4,728,231 |
59 |
€2,151,610 |
€684,878 |
|
Grand Total |
€164,503,189 |
2,462 |
€91,816,305 |
€36,115,208 |
14. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the town and village renewal scheme; the role the scheme has in rural areas of County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43814/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Town and Village Renewal Scheme forms an important part of the Action Plan for Rural Development and the Government's Project Ireland 2040 Programme for Rural Regeneration.
I launched the 2019 Town and Village Renewal Scheme on 16th April last. The closing date for receipt of applications from Local Authorities under the Scheme was 28th June.
Over 300 applications for funding were received from the Local Authorities. My officials have now completed their assessment of the applications received and the successful applicants will be announced very shortly.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme has become a central part of the Government’s drive to enhance our rural towns and villages and to make them attractive places in which to live and work.
Since the Town and Village Renewal Scheme was introduced in the second half of 2016, almost €53 million has been approved for more than 670 projects across the country, including funding of just over €2 million for 27 projects in Co Carlow.
The scheme has supported public realm improvements, local tourism initiatives, and community and enterprise hubs, including through approvals for towns such as Myshall, Clonmore and Tullow in Co. Carlow in 2018.
16. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of 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 black spots in mobile coverage undertaken by the mobile telephone and broadband task force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43786/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn my role as Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development, Natural Resources 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 which was established in 2016 to identify and overcome obstacles to mobile phone and broadband services ahead of the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan. The Taskforce is a cross-Government initiative comprising senior officials from a number of Departments and State bodies. The Secretariat is jointly provided by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.
In my role, I work very closely with the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Richard Bruton T.D., and have regular discussions with him regarding broadband provision in rural areas.
The Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment has overall policy responsibility for the National Broadband Plan. However, the Department of Rural and Community Development works closely with that Department and with Local Authorities to help prepare rural communities for the roll out of high-speed broadband.
With regard to the mobile phone blackspot map, ComReg has made an online map of outdoor mobile coverage available on its website, www.comreg.ie. This resource provides consumers with information on the quality of mobile services, by operator, across the country. The map was a deliverable of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce.
ComReg also provide information on their website on handset performance, allowing people to make informed decisions on which operator and which phone is best suited to their particular needs.
17. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if counties Laois and Offaly will receive a fair share of funding in the next round of rural regeneration and development funding. [43660/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Rural Regeneration and Development Fund seeks 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 and €315 million is allocated to the Fund for the period 2019-2022.
The second call for Category 1 applications for the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund closed on 6 August 2019. Category 1 projects are projects which have all necessary planning and other consents in place and are ready to proceed. There was an excellent response from across the country and my Department received 69 applications for funding.
I understand that three of the applications submitted were located in County Offaly and two in County Laois.
It should be noted that calls for applications to the Fund are competitive in nature, once all requirements are met, and that no project or county is prioritised for funding.
My Department is currently finalising the assessment process in relation to the applications, carried out in conjunction with the Project Advisory Board for the Fund, which is comprised of representatives from key Government Departments and independent experts.
My Department will prepare a report detailing the outcome of that process and my role as Minister will be to consider that report and make final decisions in relation to the allocation of funding. In that regard, I expect to be in a position to announce the successful Category 1 projects from the second call shortly.
18. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the processing of applications from County Kildare under the 2019 town and village renewal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43826/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Town and Village Scheme has become a hugely significant funding stream for the regeneration of small towns and villages throughout Ireland. Since the scheme was introduced in the second half of 2016, almost €53 million has been approved for more than 670 projects across the country.
This includes funding of just over €1.3 million for 19 projects in Co Kildare. The scheme allocated funding for public realm improvements and Town Health checks in towns such as Kilcullen, Rathangan and Straffan in 2018.
Over 300 applications for funding were received under the 2019 Town and Village Scheme. This includes 11 applications from Kildare County Council.
My officials have completed their assessment of all of the applications received and the successful applicants will be announced very shortly. A list of all of the approved projects will be published on the Gov.ie website along with the announcement.
19. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of applications by county received under the second call for category one applications to the rural regeneration and development fund; when a decision will be made in respect of the applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43828/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Rural Regeneration and Development Fund seeks 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 and €315 million is allocated to the Fund for the period 2019-2022.
The second call for Category 1 applications for the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund closed on 6 August 2019. Category 1 projects are projects which have all necessary planning and other consents in place and are ready to proceed. There was an excellent response from across the country and my Department received 69 applications for funding.
My Department is currently finalising the assessment process in relation to the applications, carried out in conjunction with the Project Advisory Board for the Fund, which is comprised of representatives from key Government Departments and independent experts.
My Department will prepare a report detailing the outcome of that process and my role as Minister will be to consider that report and make final decisions in relation to the allocation of funding. In that regard, I expect to be in a position to announce the successful Category 1 projects from the second call shortly.
Number of Applications by County
|
County |
Number of Applications |
|
Carlow |
2 |
|
Cavan |
4 |
|
Clare |
5 |
|
Cork |
4 |
|
Donegal |
3 |
|
Galway |
4 |
|
Kerry |
6 |
|
Kilkenny |
3 |
|
Laois |
1 |
|
Leitrim |
2 |
|
Limerick |
5 |
|
Longford |
1 |
|
Mayo |
4 |
|
Meath |
3 |
|
Monaghan |
2 |
|
Offaly |
3 |
|
Roscommon |
2 |
|
Sligo |
1 |
|
Tipperary |
4 |
|
Waterford |
2 |
|
Wexford |
3 |
|
Wicklow |
3 |
|
Kildare, Laois |
1 |
|
Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Leitrim |
1 |
|
Grand Total |
69 |
20. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the person or body responsible for overseeing and ensuring the delivery of the recommendations of the review of local community development committees; the steps taken to date following the publication of the report in July 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43830/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal Community Development Committees were established in mid-2014 to bring about a more joined-up and integrated approach to local service planning and delivery. I recently approved a comprehensive review of the LCDCs which was underpinned by extensive consultation and highlighted the significant progress made since LCDCs were established. The review also recognised a number of challenges to be addressed to secure the longer-term effectiveness of the structures. It makes a series of recommendations including securing greater cross-government buy-in; improved development and support programmes for LCDCs and their members; and strengthening and streamlining administrative supports.
Implementation of the LCDC review recommendations is included as an action in the recently published Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities; A five year strategy for the community and voluntary sector in Ireland 20179-2024. My Department is identified as the body with lead responsibility for its implementation, with Local Government, other Government Departments and the Community & Voluntary sector all having a part to play.
My Department has begun the implementation of the review recommendations, recently initiating a process of engagement with other Government Departments to promote more cross government commitment to the LCDCs. In addition, the first national networking event for LCDCs will take place on 9 November and will look at leadership including in the context of Climate Action.
Additional funding will be provided in 2020 to support LCDCs in line with the recommendations of the review.
21. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the 2019 CLÁR programme and the 2019 outdoor recreational infrastructural scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43811/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe CLÁR programme provides funding for small scale infrastructure projects in rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population. I launched the 2019 programme on 28 February last, with a closing date of 25 April for applications.
Almost 500 CLÁR applications were received by my Department this year and I have allocated funding of €5.9 million for 179 projects under all of the measures. Details of the projects approved are on the Gov.ie website. Over 1,400 projects to a value of €32 million have been approved under CLÁR since 2016.
The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding to develop new outdoor recreational infrastructure and to maintain, enhance and promote existing infrastructure. Almost 600 projects have been approved for funding of €42 million under the scheme since 2016.
I launched the 2019 ORIS on 29 March last and applications were invited under three separate measures, for small, medium and large projects. Over 280 applications were received and my officials are currently in the process of assessing all of these applications.
CLÁR and the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme are just two of a wide range of programmes delivered by my Department to help build vibrant and sustainable communities in both urban and rural areas. These programmes are helping to build the resilience of communities in light of the many external challenges which they face, including the potential impacts of Brexit.
22. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which he expects to be in position to offer grant assistance to appropriately qualified groups throughout County Kildare in 2019 with particular reference to the community and voluntary sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43824/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra296. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the degree to which he can assist voluntary community groups throughout County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44130/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 296 together.
My Department funds a range of programmes and schemes that provide financial assistance and other supports to eligible community groups and organisations in urban and rural areas throughout the country, including in Kildare. These schemes provide much needed funding, support and assistance to communities at local level.
These include the €1 billion Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, the LEADER programme; the Community Enhancement Programme, the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme; the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP); the Town and Village Renewal Scheme; and the Community Services Programme.
My Department has been provided with a gross budget of €291 million for 2019 and I intend to ensure that this money is fully allocated through these and other schemes under my Department's remit to the community and voluntary sectors.
I can confirm that, to date, more than €216 million of this budget has been allocated nationally, with €5.9 million allocated to projects and organisations in Co Kildare.
I am also happy to be able to continue and in many cases enhance the provision of these supports next year having secured an increase in my Department’s budgetary allocation for 2020 of €17 million, or 5.8%.
My Department's Community Services Programme (CSP) supports community organisations and in 2019 provided funding of some €440,000 to County Kildare.
Requests for assistance under particular programmes can be made at the appropriate time in respect of the application period for each programme, and these details, along with eligibility criteria and other information, can be found on the Government's website, gov.ie.
Decisions on any applications pending will be determined following their assessment under the various schemes, later in 2019.
23. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to approve further funding for spending on LIS schemes in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43663/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Improvement Scheme, or LIS, is a programme for improvement works on small private or non-public roads in rural areas which are not under the normal maintenance of the Local Authorities. The scheme is funded by my Department and is administered through the Local Authorities.
I reintroduced the LIS in 2017, after a number of years when no dedicated funding was available for the scheme. Since then, almost 1,700 roads have benefit from investment of €48 million from my Department.
The LIS is clearly a very popular scheme and is greatly appreciated by the people who use these roads on a daily basis. On 7th February last I launched the 2019 LIS and allocated a sum of €10 million to Local Authorities.
I currently have no plans to provide additional funding for LIS this year. However, I have secured funding for the scheme again in 2020 and a new round of LIS will be announced next year.
I also want to review the scheme to ensure that it operates as effectively as possible for the people who use the roads and for the taxpayers who are funding the scheme.
24. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the position of 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; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43816/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2018, a Working Group of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce was established to explore the feasibility of developing a standardised policy for accessing and utilising State assets for the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure.
The Taskforce noted in its original 2016 Report that the State is the largest owner of land and property assets in the country. The opportunity was recognised to use these assets to house telecommunications infrastructure and improve services.
The Working Group met on a number of occasions 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 would be an important step to underpin the proposal to make better use of State assets for telecoms infrastructure.
Among the factors taken into account by the Working Group during the course of its considerations are developments at EU level to make State and publicly owned assets available for such purposes.
Work is ongoing in relation to development of the draft Policy Statement, which is expected to be formally approved and published over the coming months.
25. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will report on the Dublin community initiatives he has visited; if he has liaised with his colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality on the need for increased resources for community development in areas of Dublin 13 and 17; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43047/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department was established in 2017 to promote development in both rural and urban communities. This is achieved through both targeted funding supports for communities and policies to support them in their important work.
In August this year at the Fatima Resource Centre in Dublin I launched "Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities: a five-year strategy to support the community and voluntary sector in Ireland".
This Government Strategy was development by my Department with those in the community and voluntary sector. It details actions which will support communities and their representative organisations to deliver positive outcomes within their local areas. These actions include my Department working with other government colleagues and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to scope and develop a sustainable funding model for the community and voluntary sector.
I have seen first-hand the wide-ranging excellent work which is being undertaken in local communities to make lives better for those who live there. I am delighted to have had many opportunities to visit community initiatives in Dublin that have received supports from the Department.
In July I was pleased to launch Ireland’s first National Policy on Social Enterprise at Speedpak in Coolock in Dublin 17. Speedpak, which received €30,000 Dormant Accounts funding from my Department in 2017 and over €290,000 under my Department's Community Services Programme during 2018 and 2019, has employed and trained over 1,150 people since it was founded in the 1990s, with significant positive impacts for individuals and families in the community.
In October 2018, I visited the Lourdes Day Care Facility in Seán Mac Dermott Street to view some of the important programmes being funded by my Department through the Dublin North East Inner City Initiative (NEIC).
I have also visited a number of libraries in Dublin city, including Charleville Mall, Kevin Street and Pearse Street Libraries, all of which have benefited from the Libraries Capital Investment Programme and which are great community resources.
I look forward to continuing to support these valuable community initiatives in Dublin and across the country and will continue to advocate for supports for communities across government, including through discussing these issues with my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality.
26. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when a final decision will be made on applications under the 2019 town and village renewal scheme in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43787/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Town and Village Renewal Scheme forms an important part of the Action Plan for Rural Development and the Government's Project Ireland 2040 Programme for Rural Regeneration.
I launched the 2019 Town and Village Renewal Scheme on 16th April last. The closing date for receipt of applications from the Local Authorities under the Scheme was 28th June.
Over 300 applications for funding were received from the Local Authorities. My officials have now completed their assessment of these applications and the successful applicants will be announced very shortly.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme has become a central part of the Government’s drive to enhance our rural towns and villages and to make them attractive places in which to live and work.
Since the Town and Village Renewal Scheme was introduced in the second half of 2016, almost €53 million has been approved for more than 670 projects across the country. The scheme has supported public realm improvements, local tourism initiatives, and community and enterprise hubs throughout rural Ireland.
27. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he has been briefed on the recommendations in the cross-party report on climate change specifically relating to a just transition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43657/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe cross-party report on climate action was published by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action in March 2019.
My Department actively engaged with the work of the committee and also in the preparation of the all-of-Government action plan published by my colleague Minister Bruton and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment in June. I have been briefed on a number of occasions on the recommendations.
I am particularly concerned with ensuring that transition to a low-carbon future is done in a just and fair manner, recognising the potential for measures to be felt differently in different parts of the country.
The Government has consistently stressed the importance of ensuring a people-centred transition which recognises vulnerability within certain communities and takes action accordingly.
The creation of a Just Transition Task Force, as suggested by the Committee, is very welcome. My Department is represented on the Task Force and intends to be a strong advocate for community outreach and involvement in the transition measures.
The report highlighted the potential of local community structures such as Local Community Development Committees and Public Participation Networks to play a role at local level in engaging with communities. My Department will continue to work with these structures and has committed to measures in the Climate Action Plan to help increase their awareness and capacity to address climate change issues within their communities.
My Department is also providing supports to assist communities and those in rural Ireland with climate change initiatives to enhance their resilience, and will continue to do so. In developing the next phase of rural development policy climate adaptation, sustainability and resilience are likely to be guiding features.
