Written Answers Nos. 348-360
350. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the total moneys awarded by her Department to various community-based initiatives throughout the regions since she took office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8996/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra352. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if consideration will be given by her Department to various groups who have currently applied for further funding from her Department under the various schemes operated by it in circumstances in which a top-up may be needed to complete specific works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8998/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra353. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she plans to expand any of the schemes operated by her Department in the course of 2022 with a view to encompassing a wider community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8999/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 350, 352 and 353 together.
My Department funds a range of programmes and schemes to assist in rural and community development which are available to eligible community groups and organisations throughout the country.
My Department was allocated €378 million in the 2022 Revised Estimates, this ensures that we are in a position to further assist communities seeking funding and other supports for important local activities and projects.
Details of funding allocations under specific schemes provided by my Department are available online at: www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-rural-and-community-development/.
I am confident that the funding supports and policies provided by my Department are delivering, and will continue to deliver, tangible benefits for both urban and rural communities, supporting economic development, and enabling the local and community development sectors to continue to provide valuable much needed services and supports to all communities throughout the country.
Ongoing dialogue between my Department and our stakeholders will ensure that communities are at the heart of designing and delivering responses that meet local needs.
354. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she proposes to extend support for various communities under the Leader programme in 2022, directly or through other agencies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9000/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe LEADER programme is a key intervention implemented by my Department which will help to underpin the Government's rural development goals as outlined in Our Rural Future.
The LEADER programme is delivered through 29 Local Action Groups (LAGs) across rural Ireland. A feature of the LEADER programme is that it is based on a community-led, bottom-up approach to rural development.
The programme includes specific funding themes to support rural economic development, enterprise development and job creation, social inclusion, and rural environment. Community groups and rural-based businesses can apply for funding under these themes. The website of the National Rural Network contains case studies of how LEADER has benefited local communities and businesses. Over 5,000 projects have been approved for in excess of €211 million under these themes since the 2014-2020 LEADER programme became operational.
In line with a commitment in Our Rural Future, I launched the Transitional LEADER Programme which came into effect from 1 April 2021 and will run to the end of 2022. A total of €70 million is being made available over this programming period. €65 million of this budget is available to Local Action Groups (LAGs) who deliver the programme and approve projects at local level. This allocation covers both core project expenditure and the administration and animation costs of the LAGs. €20 million of this Transitional LEADER Programme is funded by the European Union Recovery Instrument (EURI), which will enable local communities to recover from the impact of Covid-19, provide support for new and innovative projects in the green economy and maximise the potential of broadband and the digital economy in communities.
In 2021 I also approved an increase in the rate of aid for private enterprises and commercial community projects, from a maximum of 50% to a maximum of 75% as committed to in the Programme for Government.
The Transitional Programme will ensure that LEADER will continue to support and revitalise our communities and make them sustainable and desirable places in which to live and work through co-ordinated approaches that build on the economic strengths and infrastructure of rural areas.
355. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her proposals for further enhancement or expenditure under the town and village centre renewal scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9001/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Town and Village Renewal Scheme aims to assist with the rejuvenation of rural towns and villages throughout Ireland, making them more attractive places to live, work and visit.
In line with the commitment in Our Rural Future, the 2021 scheme prioritised the renovation of derelict and vacant buildings in our town centres, with a view to bringing these buildings back into use. I also increased the maximum grant available under the Scheme last year to €500,000 to permit projects of additional scale to be funded. The assessment of the applications made under the 2021 scheme is now being finalised and I expect to be in a position to announce the successful projects and the level of funding approved for each local authority shortly.
Last year I also introduced a €7 million Streetscape Enhancement Measure under the Scheme to help improve the visual appearance of over 120 towns and villages the length and breadth of the country. I also allocated funding for investment in digital hubs as part of a Connected Hubs Fund.
I was delighted to secure increased funding across the range of rural development schemes in Budget 2022, and my officials are currently working on the follow up Town and Village Renewal Scheme for 2022. While the details are still being finalised, there is no doubt that we will again be prioritising projects that bring vacant and derelict buildings back into use and promote residential occupancy in town centres. I will be announcing the details of the 2022 scheme in the coming months.
356. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she will continue to support, update and expand public libraries in the future including incorporating the use of modern technology; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9002/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department funds a Libraries Capital Programme which is investing some €29 million in 17 projects, the My Open Library service and a Small Scale Capital Works programme, between 2016 and 2022. The Libraries Capital Programme has eight completed projects and five more are under construction. €3 million was provided by my Department under a Small Scale Capital Works programme which supported local authorities in carrying out refurbishment works in library branches to respond to public health guidance and upgrade facilities. Funding is also being provided to support the continued expansion of the transformative My Open Library Service, which enables members to access the library 8am - 10pm, 365 days a year.
In 2022, funding of €7.7 million is being provided for public library infrastructure and services, with a focus on fit-for-purpose buildings, and supports for marginalised, socially excluded and disadvantaged communities, in line with the actions under the public library strategy 'Our Public Libraries 2022 - Inspiring, Connecting, and Empowering Communities'.
In 2018, my Department approved funding of €6 million for the upgrade of ICT capacity and facilities in public libraries. This was the first step in establishing the library as an important enabler of digital services. In 2020 almost €700,000 was approved to support the provision of sensory facilities and equipment in libraries and in 2021 €850,000 was approved for the provision of library supports for marginalised, socially excluded and disadvantaged communities.
'Our Public Libraries 2022' seeks to establish the library as an important enabler of digital services and facilitator of digital skills development. In addition to its 330 library branch network, the public library service provides an array of online and digital services. During 2020 my Department invested some €400,000 in the excellent online library service which has soared in levels of membership and usage since the beginning of the pandemic. The service provides access to more than 57,000 eBooks and 43,000 eAudiobooks, 4,000 magazines, 2,400 online newspapers from over 100 countries, more than 500 e-learning courses and 100 online language courses.
Libraries are innovating, adapting and evolving and my Department will continue to support and enable their development taking account of technological and service innovations. A new Public Library Strategy 2023-2027 will be developed by my Department in association with the CCMA which will provide the framework for an inclusive, modern, sustainable and high quality public library service in Ireland.
357. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she expects to be in a position to support local improvement schemes initiated by local authorities in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9003/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of 'Our Rural Future', the Government is committed to ensuring that the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) is funded into the future. This reflects the important contribution which the scheme makes to connectivity in rural Ireland. The LIS supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities.
I launched the 2021 Scheme with an initial budget of €10.5 million. I was very pleased to source additional funding during the year and allocated a further round of funding to bring the total for 2021 to €21 million.
I was also pleased, as part of Budget 2022 to announce an increase in the base funding for LIS from €10.5 million in 2021 to €11 million for this year.
I will be launching this year's scheme in the coming weeks at which point individual county allocations will be made known.
358. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she expects to assist various tidy towns projects throughout the country in 2022, some of which may have suffered during lockdown; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9004/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDespite the cancellation of the SuperValu Tidy Towns competition in 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, I was delighted to see that the entry to the 2021 competition was very strong and the competition continues to reach out to all parts of our communities. I particularly want to thank all the Tidy Town groups for implementing the changes we introduced to the competition last year which ensured the competition could continue and that it was delivered safely.
I was pleased to be in a position at the 2021 SuperValu TidyTowns Awards Ceremony to announce a funding package of €1.5 Million to support TidyTowns groups in preparing for the 2022 competition. This brings the total funding allocated to TidyTowns groups to €6.7 Million since my Department was established in 2017.
This round of funding can be used for projects that support and encourage sustainable living with particular emphasis on biodiversity, green spaces or actions supporting the Sustainable Development Goals, and to assist them in preparing their entry for the 2022 competition.
My Department, with support from the National Panel of TidyTowns Adjudicators, recently redrafted the TidyTowns Handbook to bring it in line with the competition categories and to further assist the TidyTowns groups. My Department continues to support TidyTowns groups by ongoing engagement through regular newsletters, sharing information on the TidyTowns social media pages and information webinars.
I look forward to launching the 2022 SuperValu TidyTowns competition shortly and I have every confidence that the competition will continue to grow.
359. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she proposes to assist communities under the CLÁR programme in 2022 given that many areas eligible for such assistance may have suffered in lockdown; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9005/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe CLÁR programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population over a defined period. The measures to be included in the CLÁR programme are reviewed and revised, if appropriate, each year.
Over 160 projects were approved funding under the programme in 2021 to assist rural communities as referenced by the Deputy. This included a measure providing funding for Outdoor Community Recreation Facilities which are assisting communities respond to COVID challenges.
The funding allocation for the 2022 CLÁR programme was increased to €7 million under Budget 2022. This is an increase of €1.5 million from the budgetary provision in 2021. The measures to be funded under CLÁR 2022 are currently being reviewed in advance of the launch of this year's programme. I expect to announce the details of the 2022 programme shortly.
360. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the total funding available to her Department for the 2022 local improvement scheme; the outcome of discussions she has had with the Minister for Transport regarding funding to local authorities from that Department for the local improvement scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9026/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of 'Our Rural Future', the Government is committed to ensuring that the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) is funded into the future. This reflects the important contribution which the scheme makes to connectivity in rural Ireland. The LIS supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities.
The Local Improvement Scheme was reintroduced in 2017 following a number of years with no dedicated funding. Since then my Department has allocated €80 Million towards improvement works on over 3,000 non-public roads and lanes. These works have benefitted over 13,300 landowners and residents in these rural areas.
I launched the 2021 Scheme with an initial budget of €10.5 million. I was very pleased to source additional funding during the year and allocated a further round of funding to bring the total for 2021 to €21 million.
I was also pleased, as part of Budget 2022 to announce an increase in the base funding for LIS from €10.5 million to €11 million for this year. I will be launching this year's scheme in the coming weeks at which point individual county council allocations will be made known.
I have continued to actively engage with my colleague, Minister Ryan, to explore the potential for further financial support for LIS from his Department. While I accept that his Department's priority at the moment remains the upkeep and maintenance of national and local public roads, I believe a cross- Government approach might reap dividends in tackling the backlog of applications on hand in local authorities. I will continue to pursue this with Minister Ryan.
