Written Answers Nos. 104-118
104. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if additional rural recreational officers will be employed; and if so, if it will be ensured they are allocated according to the work plans being operated by the local development companies. [38170/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Walks Scheme, which is funded by my Department, contracts landholders to undertake maintenance work on National Waymarked Ways and other priority trails that traverse their lands. The landholders receive modest payments for maintenance work undertaken in line with agreed work plans.
My Department commissioned an external review of the Walks Scheme to examine the delivery and strategic development of the Scheme, and assess the role and resourcing of the Rural Recreation Officer (RRO) posts throughout the country. The reviewers were also required to consider the level of funding provided to the Local Development Companies to deliver the scheme.
The final report was received by my Department this week and I expect to be in a position to publish the report after the contents have been fully considered. The recommendations contained in the review will inform decisions on the ongoing delivery and further strategic expansion of the scheme, including the resourcing of Local Development Companies and any additional Rural Recreation Officer positions.
105. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the upgrading of the helipad on Inishturk Island; the stage the upgrade is currently at; when it is likely to be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38555/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe construction of a new helipad referred to by the Deputy is a project being undertaken by Mayo County Council, with financial assistance from my Department.
My Department provided funding for the purchase of land for this project in late 2020. I have been informed that Mayo County Council are working to finalise a detailed design and to prepare tender documents for the helipad's construction at present. It is anticipated that tendering for this project will be undertaken in the near future.
My officials will continue to work closely with Mayo County Council to progress this important project.
106. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his views on measures to support community projects as they reopen; and if that support will continue until the pandemic is declared over [38526/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraGiven the role of my Department in supporting the economic and social development of rural Ireland, and community development throughout Ireland, many of our existing funding schemes support the response to, and recovery from, the pandemic in some way. However, a number of specific targeted measures are aimed at directly supporting the COVID response and recovery.
The main focus has been on community development supports with the increase in gross expenditure for that programme area, from €149.73 million in 2019 up to the €202.51 million in 2020, reflecting that.
My Department continues to provide COVID-19 supports to communities right across the country. On 6th May I launched the 2021 Stability Fund, with an allocation of €10 million, targeting organisations which deliver critical services to vulnerable people within their community but which now face closure or loss of service due to the impact of the pandemic. This €10 million investment builds on the €45 million Stability Fund 2020, which supported almost 600 organisations across the country.
The application process for the 2021 Stability Fund has now closed, with applications appraised and assessed in batches to facilitate timely drawdowns. Decisions will be released on an ongoing basis.
I was pleased to announce Tranche One of successful grantees under the 2021 Stability Fund on 9th July, supporting 180 organisations with close to €4.5 million in allocations. Further tranches will follow in due course.
The €4.5 million 2021 Community Enhancement Programme will also provide vital supports to assist local groups to re-open their facilities post COVID-19.
In addition, adjustments to programmes delivered by my Department, such as Town and Village Renewal and CLÁR, have been made, where required, to further support communities during the pandemic.
107. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department has considered introducing a model of community wealth building similar to that implemented in Preston, England and North Ayrshire, Scotland to help develop rural areas. [38306/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is progressing a number of national policies that provide, for both urban and rural areas nationwide, an integrated and strategic way of delivering supports, programmes and schemes, coordinating measures to address imbalances or lack of opportunity, making a real difference to people’s lives. These include the National Policy on Social Enterprise, and the Strategy to Support the Community & Voluntary Sector in Ireland. My Department has not deliberated on introducing the community wealth building systems approach to economic development.
The new national rural development policy Our Rural Future, sets out a blueprint for the development of rural Ireland over the next five years. The policy is supported by 150 commitments across Government, which will address the challenges facing communities and deliver new opportunities for people living in rural areas.
The policy recognises the importance of place-based development and will be underpinned by investment across Government in areas such as the roll out of high-speed broadband, remote working facilities, job creation, town centre regeneration, community development, improvements in regional and local roads, new cycling and walking infrastructure, expanded rural transport services, funding for tourism, culture and heritage projects, and a just transition to a climate-neutral society.
Ongoing dialogue is maintained by my Department with rural and urban stakeholders, in order to identify and respond to issues impacting on individuals and communities. I continue to work collaboratively with my Government colleagues to monitor the issues which impact our urban and rural communities and to support the creation of vibrant and sustainable communities across this country.
109. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the publication of the islands policy. [38172/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe development of a new Islands Policy is one of the key elements of Our Rural Future, the Government’s new Rural Development Policy.
The central objective of the Islands Policy will be to ensure that sustainable vibrant communities continue to live on the offshore islands. An island consultation process was undertaken by my Department to inform the policy and to ensure that the island communities were and are central to the process.
The consultation process has assisted in identifying the main challenges faced by communities living on the offshore islands. Issues highlighted by the island communities included education, health, housing, energy, employment, broadband and access to services.
My officials are now engaging bilaterally with relevant Government Departments and Agencies to discuss the issues raised by island communities and to assess how they might be addressed. I expect Departments and Agencies to provide input and expertise on elements of the policy and agree commitments as it is developed.
Work has begun on preparing a first draft of the Islands Policy, but it is at a very early stage and is very much a work in progress. It was envisaged that the new Islands Policy would be published this year, however I am conscious that getting the policy right is the real priority and this will be the guiding principle going forward.
110. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the level of engagement she has had with other Departments to progress other areas of priority as outlined in Our Rural Future which do not come under her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38462/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOur Rural Future, the Rural Development Policy for 2021-2025, is the most ambitious and transformational policy for rural development in Ireland for decades, focusing on sustainability and optimising opportunities for individuals, communities and businesses.
It is a whole-of-Government approach to rural development which contains more than 150 measures for delivery by a wide range of Departments over the lifetime of the policy.
My Department engaged in extensive consultation with colleagues across Government during the development of Our Rural Future, and ongoing engagement will be crucial to its successful implementation.
The 2021 Our Rural Future Work Programme was developed in conjunction with other Government Departments and contains actions which advance the delivery of more than 80 per cent of commitments in the Policy. Further annual Work Programmes will be developed to progress implementation over the lifetime of the Policy. I am happy to report that a number of the actions which fall under the remit of other Departments have already been substantially advanced, such as the approval of the Athlone IT /Limerick IT application for designation as a technical university and the publication of the draft new Agri-Food Strategy to 2030 as part of a public consultation process.
My Department will continue to engage bilaterally with Departments, Agencies and Local Authorities as required with regard to progressing measures which are relevant to their remit or where responsibility for delivery is shared.
In addition to annual work programmes, Our Rural Future also commits to the publication of regular Progress Reports. My officials will also be seeking updates from Departments later this year in respect of the actions to be delivered in 2021 for inclusion in the first Progress Report, and also to discuss measures for possible inclusion in the 2022 Work Programme.
Finally, in order to maximise the impact of Our Rural Future and to maintain dialogue with rural communities, my Department will be rolling out a range of stakeholder engagement events in 2021, and on an ongoing basis thereafter. These and other engagements will involve other departments and feed back into the consideration of future Work Programmes throughout the five-year lifespan of the Policy.
111. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department has undertaken studies on the impact of youth emigration on rural Ireland. [38322/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department published Our Rural Future, a new five-year rural development policy, in March this year. It is the most ambitious and transformational policy for rural development in Ireland for decades.
The policy has a vision for a sustainable and vibrant rural Ireland, one in which communities, including young people, are empowered to take an active role in the decisions affecting them.
While my Department has not undertaken specific studies on the impact of youth emigration on rural Ireland, my officials and I are fully aware of the challenges and opportunity costs associated with young people leaving rural areas.
In developing the Policy, we listened carefully to young people in rural areas about their aspirations and the challenges they face.
Our Rural Future acknowledges the importance of encouraging and facilitating young people to become and remain active and engaged in the future of their communities. The policy was developed after an extensive consultation process which included events co-designed with organisations such as Foróige, tailored to listening to young people from rural Ireland to better understand their perspectives.
Their feedback was valuable and these workshops helped us to identify a number of measures which will directly benefit young people and ensure their continued engagement. These include a commitment to establish an annual Rural Youth Assembly, the first of which is scheduled to take place later this year, and to undertake research on outcomes for children and young people in rural areas. Our consultation process also incorporated an online public survey, which endorsed our initial key findings.
To ensure that young people’s opinions continue to be considered, my officials are engaged in ongoing bilateral discussions and collaborations with relevant departments and agencies, including the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
112. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the establishment of a forum for ongoing dialogue between local authorities, relevant policy Departments and island communities pursuant to Our Rural Future – Rural Development Policy 2021 – 2025; when she expects the forum to be up and running; the regularity with which the forum will hold meetings; the membership of the forum; the terms of reference of the forum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38319/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOur Rural Future represents the Irish Government’s blueprint for the development of rural Ireland over the next five years. It provides the framework to achieve the vision of transforming the quality of life and opportunity for people living in rural areas. As the Deputy is aware, Our Rural Future contains a number of policy measures relating to the islands including the establishment of a forum.
My Department is currently developing a National Islands Policy for the inhabited offshore islands. Overall, the vision is this policy will lead to the agreement of a number of objectives across all policy areas to support, promote and empower our island communities. Implementation of the policy will improve the quality of life of island communities by fully taking into account the unique context of the islands.
As part of this process my Department has held bilateral meetings with the relevant Local Authorities regarding the policy’s development and the establishment of a forum has been discussed in this context.
Although the drafting of the National Islands Policy is still at an early stage, the establishment of a forum for ongoing dialogue between local authorities, relevant policy Departments and island communities will be the subject of further dialogue as the policy development process continues.
113. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of projects funded currently under the Rural Regeneration Fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38485/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra117. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the progress made to date with the roll-out of the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund of €1 billion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37162/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 117 together.
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) forms part of the wider rural regeneration and development programme which also includes the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.
In terms of RRDF Category 1 (Major Projects), three calls for applications have been completed to date, while two calls for applications have been completed in relation to Category 2 (Seed Funding). Arising from the outcome of these calls, 89 Category 1 projects have been approved for funding of €215 million for projects worth €292 million. 75 Category 2 projects have been approved for funding of €34 million for projects worth €46 million. In total, funding of €249 million has been approved to date for 164 projects worth a total of €338 million.
The most recent announcement in relation to the Fund was the completion of the third call for Category 1 applications in April 2021, with 25 projects emerging as successful and funding of €81 million allocated.
Unfortunately, significant delays in the delivery of projects funded through the RRDF and other schemes have been experienced due to the pandemic and its effects on the construction sector. However, with construction now fully underway it is expected that strong progress will be achieved on projects for the remainder of the year and, consequently, drawdown by lead parties will accelerate significantly. The total spend to date in relation to the 164 approved projects stands at €70.74 million.
I announced the third call for Category 2 applications in May 2021. The closing date for applications was 30th July 2021 at 12 pm. An application and guidance document is available on my Department's website.
114. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 44 of 25 May 2021, the status of the development of Caladh Mór pier on Inis Meáin; the status of the preparation of a simulation model of the harbour by the National Maritime College of Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38317/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, Galway County Council are the body responsible for development of stage three of the Caladh Mór pier development on Inis Meáin. Officials from my Department have been in ongoing contact with the relevant officials in the County Council to progress matters.
The National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) have been developing a model simulation for the harbour on Inis Meáin, which will inform the Business Case options for the development. Due to COVID-19 restrictions access to the NMCI facility had been very limited and as a result progress with the model simulation was somewhat delayed.
With the easing of some COVID 19 related restrictions, the NMCI were able to host a small group of islanders, ferry operators and officials last week at their facility in Ringaskiddy for a demonstration of the marine simulation.
Following feedback from the various parties, the NMCI are going to further develop the simulation and there will be a further more extensive demonstration held upon completion. I understand from Department officials who viewed the simulation that it presents vessel operators with an extremely realistic experience of sea conditions and that it is expected to greatly assist in identifying development options for the pier.
115. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will report on her engagement with an organisation (details supplied) concerning the employment of additional rural recreational officers. [38169/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Walks Scheme, which is funded by my Department, contracts landholders to undertake maintenance work on National Waymarked Ways and other priority trails that traverse their lands. The landholders receive modest payments for maintenance work undertaken in line with agreed work plans.
My Department commissioned an external review of the Walks Scheme to examine the delivery and strategic development of the Scheme, and assess the role and resourcing of the Rural Recreation Officer (RRO) posts throughout the country. The reviewers were also required to consider the level of funding provided to the Local Development Companies to deliver the scheme. The final report was received by my Department this week and I expect to be in a position to publish the report after the contents have been fully considered. The recommendations contained in the review will inform decisions on the ongoing delivery and further strategic expansion of the scheme, including the resourcing of Local Development Companies and any additional Rural Recreation Officer positions.
I am aware that an issue has arisen with the delivery of the scheme by the organisation referred to by the deputy. Officials from my Department formally met with the organisation concerned on Friday, 2nd July. I understand that the company outlined the challenges presented by the large number of participants it manages over a wide area, and the implications of this for the one full-time equivalent Rural Recreation Officer position there. It is clear that the company has a significant workload relative to other areas and I believe that this is something that we can respond to as part of the implementation of the Review of the Walks Scheme.
116. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to improve the number and quality of the air services and ferry services to the islands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37163/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe recently published rural policy ‘Our Rural Future’ underlines this Government’s continued commitment to our offshore island communities. It is a core part of the policy to support those communities by funding programmes that deliver transport services that are affordable, reliable and of a high quality and, by doing so, to maintain sustainable vibrant communities on the islands.
Since 1997 the number of state subsidised services for the islands has increased from one ferry service to 25 separate services. These provide year-round ferry, cargo and - where applicable - air services to 19 off-shore islands. There are no plans at present to provide any new subsidised services.
To ensure that the quality of these services is maintained, my Department works closely with the operators, island representative groups and organisations to monitor the services and to make sure they are delivered in a safe, timely and professional manner.
As the COVID-19 travel restrictions continue to ease, my officials will once again have the opportunity to engage directly with all stakeholders to ensure that the services continue to be delivered as contracted. Issues regarding the quality of the service form a part of this monitoring process.
As technologies evolve and better quality vessels and airplanes become available to the market, the Department will review the Request for Tender documents to encourage potential operators to upgrade their fleet of vessels or airplanes so that travellers can expect a higher quality of service as they travel to and from the islands.
118. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will work with the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications to improve remote working facilities for persons in a location (details supplied) in areas which do not have high-quality broadband. [38634/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe increased shift to remote working as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic has given us the opportunity for a greater regional distribution of jobs and to support a better quality of life for many people who previously spent many hours in long commutes. This is a key focus of the Government's new rural development policy Our Rural Future.
Remote working, supported by appropriate infrastructure and facilities, has the potential to encourage more people to live in rural areas while working in good quality jobs, no matter where their employer is based. It can also help revitalise our rural town if remote working hubs are developed in their centres.
Officials from my Department continue to work closely with officials from the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications to deliver the Broadband Connection Point (BCP) initiative - a key part of the National Broadband Plan. It is now in the latter stages of delivery and as of 6 July, 203 Broadband Connection Points are live and in use, with the remaining sites in the process of being surveyed, installed or tested. The map of live BCPs can be found on: nbi.ie/bcp-map/. Of the 24 BCPs scheduled for delivery for County Cork, 16 have been delivered - a number of which are offering remote working facilities.
I launched the National Hub Network, connectedhubs.ie, on 31 May in the Swinford Digiwest Hub in Co. Mayo. Since the launch, 113 hubs have signed on and are now using the platform, with an additional 49 hubs in the process of being onboarded. Furthermore, the number of hubs identified through the Western Development Commission's hub discovery process has increased to 505. These are in the process of being verified before they are mapped on connectedhubs.ie/nationalhubsmap.html. This interactive map provides useful information in relation to each of the hubs and the services that are available at each site. At present, there are approximately 20 hubs registered on the platform in County Cork, with more likely to be added in the future.
Work on the National Hub Network is overseen by an Inter-Departmental Steering Group, which is chaired by my Department. The Department of Environment, Climate and Communications is represented on the Steering Group.
Since 2016 my Department has invested more than €50 million in the development of remote working facilities through the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. Investment in new remote working facilities will continue in 2021 through further calls for both schemes.
I have also allocated €5 million to fund a Connected Hubs Call this year. This initiative will provide funding to support remote working by supporting small scale capital works in existing hubs and Broadband Connection Points. Applications are currently being evaluated by my officials and I expect to shortly be in a position to announce the results of the evaluation process.
