Written Answers Nos. 385-388
385. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he sees a positive future for the dairy and beef sector here and continued assurance of its ability to produce food at much lower levels of carbon emissions than any other country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51930/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very aware of the contribution of the meat and dairy sectors to Irish agri-food as a whole, supporting significant levels of direct employment as well as their role in supporting rural economies and the wider national economy.
The Department and I continue to prioritise supporting the sustainable development of these sectors including through targeted supports aimed at supporting primary producers to increase the environmental and economic efficiency of their operations.
The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021 supports Ireland’s transition to Net Zero and achieve a climate neutral economy no later than 2050.
Ag Climatise, the National Climate and Air Roadmap for the Agriculture Sector published by my Department last December, is a living document which sets out 29 actions designed to achieve a climate neutral agriculture sector.
In addition, I am confident that the strategic framework set out in the recently published Food Vision 2030 strategy, sets out an effective pathway to deal with these challenges, while establishing Ireland as a world leader in sustainable food systems.
The use of technologies such as the economic breeding index, genomics in breeding decisions and milk recording, as well as efficiencies in pasture and manure management are all important tools currently used in the management of greenhouse gas emissions in dairy production.
Global trade conditions will be crucial in determining the outlook for the Irish meat and dairy sectors over the medium to longer term.
While the outlook for the sector remains broadly positive, the sector continues to face challenges including the ongoing uncertainty resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ensuring the continued operation of Irish food supply chains and the pursuit and development of new markets remains a key priority for my Department.
386. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the grants that are available to community groups or local authorities for the provision of eHubs in rural villages at present; if there are further schemes envisaged to bring vacant properties into use or grants for community groups to renovate community halls for the purpose of eHubs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51738/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department operates a number of funding schemes that focus on projects supporting remote working through the development of hubs, including the development of BCPs as long-term, digitally-enabled community assets.
Our Rural Future, Ireland’s Rural Development Policy 2021-2025, recognises the impact which these hubs can have and the potential of remote working hubs as key economic assets for our rural towns and villages. Notwithstanding the clear benefits to individuals and families in terms of quality of life indicators, remote working from hubs will also support local economies, reduce carbon emissions and may arrest or reverse the depopulation of certain areas.
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme both support the establishment of new digital hubs. In April, I announced funding of €81m for 25 landmark projects under the RRDF. Many of the successful projects involve the regeneration of historic town centre buildings as Enterprise and Co-Working Hubs. Support for new remote working hubs is also one of the areas being prioritised under my Department's 2021 Town and Village Renewal Scheme. The focus is on establishing new remote working facilities in town and village centres where properties are currently vacant or where existing community/ publicly owned buildings can be repurposed. This call closed to applications on 16 July 2021 and the assessment process is currently underway, with successful projects set to be announced by the end of the year.
In May I launched the National Connected Hubs network together with the connectedhubs.ie platform. This platform will offer a suite of booking, hub management and e-commerce applications to members of the Network. To date the National Hub Network Working Group identified and mapped over 450 remote working hubs throughout the country. Approximately 150 hubs have been on boarded onto the platform, with this number rising each month. The remainder will be invited to join the Connected Hubs Network creating a shared infrastructure that will deliver real benefits across the country.
In July this year, through the Connected Hubs funding stream, I awarded close to €9 million in funding to 118 successful applicants. This funding will allow for the expansion of existing hub facilities and remote working infrastructure in digital hubs, including Broadband Connection Points, throughout the country.
I am happy to confirm that I have secured additional funding as part of Budget 2022 across the range of services provided by my Department, including for the further support of remote working hubs. Details of calls for applications to relevant funding streams will be announced by my Department in due course.
387. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide information on the establishment of a new small capital grant scheme for community centre upgrades which was announced in Budget 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51741/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraA new capital fund for the upgrade of Community Centres was referenced recently in the National Development Plan, and funding of €5m has been secured for this under Budget 2022.
This is consistent with the Programme for Government commitment to establishing a small capital grants scheme for the maintenance, improvement and upkeep of community centres.
The details of this capital scheme are currently being developed within my Department. It will be launched in early 2022 and further details, such as the type of community centres eligible, will be announced in due course.
388. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of works at libraries (details supplied); the timeframe for their reopening; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51861/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn September 2020, my Department approved Small Scale Capital Works Programme funding of €60,000 for Roscommon County Council to support an ambitious and transformative programme of works in Ballaghaderreen Library to include the relocation of the children's area into its own dedicated space and the creation of a new dedicated space for young adults/teenagers.
In July 2021, my Department also approved funding of €95,250 for Roscommon County Council to install the My Open Library service in Ballaghaderreen Library.
As Ballaghaderreen Library is a listed building and the work under the Small Scale Capital Works Programme includes the removal of a wall, I understand that it was necessary for the local authority to obtain a Section 57 Declaration under the Planning and Development Act 2000 and that this was granted by Roscommon County Council on 7 December 2020. Following the approval of additional funding for the installation of the My Open Library service, I understand that the local authority were also required to again engage with the Council's Planning Section regarding the appropriate planning requirements. Roscommon County Council have been informed that a Section 57 Declaration is also required in connection with the works for the My Open Library service. When planning permission is granted, the local authority have advised that they will seek tenders for the appointment of contractors for the overall project.
It is expected that the works, which will comprise both the improvements under the Small Scale Capital Works Programme and the works necessary for the installation of the My Open Library service, will be completed by the second quarter of 2022.
In the meantime, the mobile library continues to provide a service in the town every Wednesday and the local authority will continue to monitor demand throughout the duration of the works.
In September 2020, my Department approved Small Scale Capital Works Programme funding of €40,000 for Roscommon County Council to support the upgrade of windows and flooring in the Strokestown Library. The plans also include a number of changes to the library layout along with the installation of new shelving and furniture, which will create more usable space in the main library and allow for significant expansion of the children’s library space.
The works on the Strokestown Library are now completed and Roscommon County Council are currently at fit-out stage. I understand that issues have arisen with the manufacturing and delivery of the shelving and furniture which has resulted in a delay in the completion of the project, but these are now scheduled for delivery in early November 2021. As a result, the library is scheduled for reopening by the end of November 2021.
Similar to Ballaghaderreen, the mobile library continues to provide a service in Strokestown every second Thursday and the local authority will continue to monitor demand throughout the duration of the works.
