Written Answers Nos. 61-80
61. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of funding allocated to projects in Ireland under the Leader programme from 2015 to 2021; the number and details of projects that were at least funded in part by the Leader programme broken down by county from 2015 to 2021, in tabular form. [60163/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraLEADER has been successfully delivering a wide range of innovative projects across Ireland for thirty years.
As part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme, the 2014-2020 LEADER programme had a total funding allocation of €250 million. This is comprised of EU and National Exchequer funding.
I have also made €70 million available under the Transitional LEADER Programme for 2021 and 2022, and I have recently announced the allocation of a further €180m for the LEADER programme from 2023 to 2027.
Securing this funding will ensure that the LEADER programme will continue to deliver high quality and locally led projects all across Ireland in the coming years. This is reflective of the recognition of the benefits and success of the LEADER approach contained in the Government’s Rural Development Policy – Our Rural Future.
At least 75% of the funding provided to the Local Action Groups (LAGs) must be allocated to eligible projects with the remainder utilised by the LAGS for their administration and animation costs associated with bringing these projects to fruition.
Currently the number of projects funded by the LEADER programme is 4,905, which have an overall value of €204 million.
I am providing the Deputy with a table that outlines the number of projects approved in each of the LAG areas. Full details of projects approved are also available on my Department's website.
LEADER Projects approved 2015 to November 2021 Local Action Groups
|
Local Action Group |
Number of projects |
LEADER Grant |
|
Carlow LAG |
64 |
€4,948,886 |
|
Cavan LAG |
131 |
€7,886,712 |
|
Clare LAG |
265 |
€8,267,710 |
|
Cork North LAG |
145 |
€5,723,627 |
|
Cork South LAG |
94 |
€4,222,324 |
|
Cork West LAG |
87 |
€4,730,186 |
|
Donegal LAG |
277 |
€12,440,530 |
|
Dublin Rural LAG |
105 |
€5,654,788 |
|
Galway East LAG |
210 |
€7,008,058 |
|
Galway West LAG |
106 |
€3,312,825 |
|
Kerry LAG |
486 |
€11,197,198 |
|
Kildare LAG |
75 |
€4,013,338 |
|
Kilkenny LAG |
197 |
€7,061,500 |
|
Laois LAG |
145 |
€5,841,436 |
|
Leitrim LAG |
138 |
€5,788,398 |
|
Limerick LAG |
176 |
€9,117,557 |
|
Longford LAG |
137 |
€6,744,434 |
|
Louth LAG |
179 |
€5,038,265 |
|
Mayo LAG |
237 |
€12,403,974 |
|
Meath LAG |
117 |
€5,817,299 |
|
Monaghan LAG |
131 |
€6,916,514 |
|
Offaly LAG |
264 |
€7,188,416 |
|
Roscommon LAG |
128 |
€7,590,825 |
|
Sligo LAG |
189 |
€6,609,533 |
|
Tipperary LAG |
251 |
€10,394,870 |
|
Waterford LAG |
112 |
€6,844,097 |
|
Westmeath LAG |
114 |
€6,087,986 |
|
Wexford LAG |
213 |
€9,121,279 |
|
Wicklow LAG |
132 |
€6,030,047 |
|
Total |
4,905 |
€204,002,613 |
64. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she is considering plans to incentivise the owners of derelict properties in rural Ireland to refurbish and redevelop these buildings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60079/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe refurbishment and redevelopment of vacant and derelict properties is being addressed by a number of initiatives delivered by my Department in line with the commitments contained in Our Rural Future and across Government as part of the Government's Housing for All plan.In April, I announced investment of €81 million for 25 landmark projects under Category 1 of the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. These projects will combat dereliction, increase the vibrancy of rural towns and villages and regenerate town centre buildings.I have also announced funding of €15 million that is available under the 2021 Town & Village Renewal Scheme. A key focus of this year’s scheme is to renovate vacant and derelict buildings in our town centres, including for residential living. I expect to announce the successful projects shortly.There are a range of other initiatives outlined in Our Rural Future which will contribute to addressing vacancy and dereliction in our towns and villages. In particular the new Town Centre First Policy, which is expected to be launched shortly, will be an important catalyst for Local Authorities and local stakeholders to plan for the revitalisation of their towns, and particularly to address vacancy and dereliction. The new Croí Cónaithe (Towns) fund, as outlined in Housing for All, will also provide a grant to support the refurbishment of vacant properties where the level of vacancy or dereliction is high. I understand that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, together with the the Housing Agency, is currently developing an operational basis for this new fund. This forms one of a number of measures contained in Housing for All to address vacancy and the efficient use of the existing housing stock.
66. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the impact the reduction in Leader funding for the upcoming CAP Strategic Plan will have on community-led development in rural Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60245/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government clearly recognises the vital role that LEADER plays in delivering impactful rural development projects at local level and it will continue to support investment in Rural Ireland.
In the 2014-2020 CAP programming period, €250m was allocated to LEADER. For the 7 year programming period from 2021 to 2027 this funding allocation will be maintained. It is comprised of €70m provided for the transitional period from 2021 to 2022, and the recently announced indicative allocation of €180m for the period 2023 to 2027. The maintenance of the €250m funding from the 2014-2020 period is evidence of the Governments continued support for the LEADER programme.
Any discussion of Rural Development investment must also take account of the record levels of investment in recent years. A range of schemes have been implemented in recent years, such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Walks Scheme, and the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.
Budget 2022 also saw increases secured across all my Department's rural schemes and the National Development Plan outlines a clear commitment to a continuation of investment in Rural Ireland as a matter of priority. Capital funding allocations for my Department have seen an increase from €88m in 2018 to €205m in 2025 under the NDP.
This increased funding will help to deliver on the range of actions for our rural communities into the future as set in the Government’s ambitious Rural Development Policy - Our Rural Future.
69. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the provision of town regeneration officers to support the development of rural towns and villages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60148/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraA key element of Our Rural Future is the commitment to develop and deliver a collaborative town centre first approach to put the development and regeneration of rural town centres at the heart of decision-making. There is also a commitment, as part of this overall approach, to provide and resource dedicated local authority staff to support town centre renewal.
My Department is working with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to finalise a Town Centre First policy and I expect this to be approved by Government and published very shortly. This policy will bring an enhanced and joined-up approach across Government to the revitalisation of our town centres and ensure that the significant level of planned investment in our towns is targeted at the right interventions.
In anticipation of this policy, I was pleased to announce funding in Budget 2022 to support the appointment of Town Regeneration Officers in Local Authorities to assist in supporting the delivery of the Town Centre First policy at a local level. Further details in respect of these Officers will be announced as part of the roll-out of the Town Centre First Policy.
70. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if further support is planned under the Covid stability programme given the ongoing challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on the revenue of charitable and community organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60004/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra95. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she plans to provide further support such as that provided under the Covid Stability Programme given the ongoing challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60159/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra109. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the level of support that her Department has provided to community and voluntary organisations owing to the impact of Covid-19 to the financial viability of such important organisations; and if further support is planned given the ongoing nature of the Pandemic. [60195/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 70, 95 and 109 together.
My Department has provided supports to community and voluntary organisations in dealing with the impact of COVID-19 through a number of measures.
Through the COVID-19 Stability Fund , my Department supported a total of 840 organisations in 2020 and 2021 with total funding of approximately €48m. That fund is now closed and there are no plans at present for further rounds of the Stability Fund.
While the Stability Fund is now closed, my Department has taken a number of further measures to support community and voluntary groups impacted by COVID-19. I recently launched the new €9m Community Activities Fund . The Community Activities Fund will support groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with their running costs, as well as with improvements to their facilities. Groups will also be able to use the funding to carry out necessary repairs and to purchase equipment.
In order to ensure there is sufficient flexibility to allow funding to be targeted to where it is needed in each Local Authority area, it will be administered locally by the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs).
My Department also recently announced a further extension of €1m to the CSP Support Fund to cover the period up to December 2021, bringing the total funding allocated to the CSP Support Fund to €8.95m for 2020-2021. This funding was provided to organisations on the Community Services Programme (CSP) who required additional assistance to continue to retain their CSP supported employees on their payroll. It also provided assistance for the Employers PRSI contribution and supported organisations considered by my Department to be most in need to cover overhead costs such as insurance, light, heat and Audit fees.
71. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the total allocation to the Leader programme for the last two CAP periods; the proposed allocation for the forthcoming CAP period; the years covered by each programme; the date on which each programme commenced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60222/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra79. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the total allocation to the Leader programme for the last two CAP periods; the proposed allocation for the forthcoming CAP period; the years covered by each programme; the date on which each programme commenced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60246/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 79 together.
LEADER is a rural development programme co-funded by the EU that operates a locally-led, bottom-up approach to meeting the needs of local communities and businesses. The programme supports private enterprises and community groups in rural areas.
From 2007 to 2020, LEADER was included in the suite of measures that constituted Ireland’s Rural Development Programme (RDP). The Rural Development Programmes agreed by each Member State with the EU Commission were designed to correspond to specified Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) programming periods. The CAP programming periods in turn correspond to the EU's budgetary cycle. The Rural Development Programme will now be replaced by each Member State’s CAP Strategic Plan.
As part of the 2007 to 2013 CAP programming period, LEADER was included as a number of linked measures under Axis 4 of the RDP. The LEADER allocation for the 2007 to 2013 CAP programming period was almost €400 million. This was subsequently revised in 2013, due to a downturn in the national economy, to €377m on foot of the agreement by the EU Commission of a formal amendment to the 2007-2013 RDP. Contracts for delivery of LEADER interventions were signed by Local Action Groups from January, 2009 with preparatory financial support provided in advance of that.
For the 2014-2020 CAP programming period, LEADER was included as Measure 19 of the RDP. The LEADER allocation for the 2014 to 2020 CAP programming period was €250 million. Contracts for delivery of LEADER interventions were signed by Local Action Groups from July 2016, with preparatory financial support provided in advance of that.
The next CAP programming period was due to run from 2021 to 2027. However, due to delays in agreeing the required regulations at EU level, a transition period was agreed for the years 2021 and 2022. €70m has been assigned to LEADER in this transition period. An indicative allocation of €180m has recently being announced for LEADER for the years 2023 to 2027, bringing the total allocated for LEADER to the original 2021 to 2027 CAP programming period to €250m.
72. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when a six-month progress report on the implementation of Our Rural Strategy will be available considering the commitment to provide same as set out in the strategy and her advice that the report would be available before the end of 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60144/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra92. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the 2022 Work Programme for Our Rural Strategy will be made available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60145/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 92 together.
‘Our Rural Future – Rural Development Policy 2021-2025’ is the most ambitious development policy for rural Ireland in decades.
It was published on 29 March and contains more than 150 commitments across the whole-of-Government, for both short-term recovery and longer-term development.
Updates on the delivery of the 5-year Policy will be provided by a series of Progress Reports. Annual work programmes allow for priorities to be updated in light of emerging opportunities and challenges.
My Department is currently drafting the First Progress Report, which will incorporate updates on all measures contained in the 2021 Work Programme. It will be published following approval by Cabinet early in 2022. Further Progress Reports will be produced every six months thereafter, as per the commitment in the Policy.
The 2021 Work Programme is highly ambitious, containing actions which advance the delivery of more than 80 per cent of commitments in the Policy in Year 1. A huge amount of activity has taken place across Departments this year to deliver on the ambition of Our Rural Future, with investment in local transport and active travel, remote working facilities and digital connectivity, and huge levels of support for important projects under my Department’s Rural Development Investment Programme to name but a few.
In shaping the new 2022 Work Programme, my Department is continuing to consult widely.
A series of three Rural Ideas Fora and the first ever Rural Youth Assembly were recently held, and my Department is currently engaging in bilateral discussions with Departments across Government. These engagements will help to inform the new Work Programme, which I anticipate will be published in early 2022.
73. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the proposed works for the Mell Greenway, Drogheda for which Louth County Council received €200,000 through the outdoor recreational scheme in February 2020; if there are timelines for a commencement of the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60081/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure and for the maintenance and promotion of existing infrastructure. Louth County Council were approved funding of €200,000 under the Scheme for the development and enhancement of the Boyne Greenway.
Earlier this year, Louth County Council requested permission to revise the scope of the approved works. This amendment was approved by my Department subject to a Project Implementation Plan being submitted. To date, no plan has been submitted.
My Department has afforded every opportunity to Louth County Council to revise the project scope and put all the necessary permissions in place. I have asked my officials to contact Louth County again in order to clarify their plans in relation to this project.
76. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the take-up of grants under the Community Activities Fund for groups impacted by Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60125/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraA new €9m fund called the Community Activities Fund, was launched by my Department in November 2021 and continues into 2022 to support community groups impacted by COVID-19.
This fund will support local community groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with their running/operating costs such as utility or insurance bills, as well as with improvements to their facilities. Groups will also be able to use the funding to carry out necessary repairs and maintenance as well as refurbishment work or purchase equipment.
The fund is administered in the same way as the Community Enhancement Programme, with grant applications assessed in each local authority area by the Local Community Development Committee to ensure there is flexibility to allow funding to be targeted where it is needed. Details on how to apply for the Community Activities Fund will be advertised in each area by the relevant Local Authority. As the funds are currently being launched across the country, there is no information as yet in relation to the uptake.
77. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the roll-out of broadband connection points in north central areas of Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60226/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraBroadband Connection Points (BCPs) are among the first premises for delivery under the National Broadband Plan. They are publicly accessible sites that serve areas without reliable high-speed broadband, including isolated communities in rural areas and on many of our offshore islands. Sites are provided with a high-speed broadband connection which they make available for onsite community use, including for remote work and study.
The Nationwide BCP Network will include approximately 300 sites. To date, 234 BCPs have been completed and are open and serving their local communities. Of these 17 are in Cork County, with a further 8 planned. Cork City has donated its allowance of 12 BCPs to the county and, as such, there are no BCPs planned for the North Central area at this time. Cork County has the highest number of BCPs of any local authority area.
It is estimated that the current build phase of the BCP network will be achieved by the end of Q1 2022. However, it should be noted that global component shortages may impact the delivery of some sites.
Once this phase of the BCP project has completed, my Department will begin to scale up the numerous development activities that it has recently begun trialing. These pilot projects include supports for remote workers and students, a suite of digital skills training courses, arts and culture activities including musical instruction and access to national cultural resources, and a range of eHealth and telemedicine programmes.
I have made available funding of €10,000 per participating local authority to support BCP development activities this year. This is in addition to significant awards made to BCPs for capital works and equipment purchases under the recent Connected Hubs Call which allocated almost €9M in July.
The locations of planned and completed BCPs may be found at https://myconnectedcommunity.ie/
80. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of commissions of investigation currently ongoing; the duration of each commission of investigation; the deadline for each commission of investigation; and the actual and projected cost of each commission of investigation. [54098/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm, that my Department, which was established on 19 July 2017, did not have any commissions of investigation conducted in the timeframe in question.
