Written Answers Nos. 983-993
983. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she and her Department continue to have dialogue with urban or rural-based groups with a view to identifying deprivation or concerns which may need her intervention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18358/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is in ongoing contact with local and community groups through the local structures such as Public Participation Network (PPN). The focus of the PPN is to empower and assist groups to participate in local decision making. This facilitates a two way flow of information between the Local Authority and community groups. We also remain in close contact with bodies that represent the local development and community and voluntary sectors.
My Department has a number of programmes that focus on improving the lives of people experiencing disadvantage, for example the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme or SICAP.
SICAP is our country’s primary social inclusion intervention. It aims to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion and equality. It is delivered in both rural and urban areas by Local Development Companies (LDCs) who work with the most disadvantaged and the hardest to reach in communities.
To ensure that funding is adequately targeted, the HP Pobal Deprivation Index is used which identifies the relative levels of affluence or disadvantage across geographic areas, using data from the national census.
985. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which Leader funding continues to be made available through her Department and or local authorities with a view to addressing salient issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18360/22]
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 €215 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.
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.
An indicative budget of €180 million is allocated for the LEADER programme for the period 2023-2027. With the €70 million already provided for 2021 and 2022 under the Transitional LEADER Programme, a total of €250 million will be made available for the 2021 - 2027 period, thus maintaining the level of funding provided for the 2014-2020 programming period.
Preparations for the design and delivery of the next LEADER programme from 2023-2027 are underway and my officials are also engaging with stakeholders in this regard. The ongoing engagement and consultation combined with the funding allocation ensures that the LEADER programme from 2023 will continue to support and further develop our rural communities and businesses.
986. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if in the pursuit of relocated working conditions, it has been found possible to provide the necessary level of IT including broadband to the various hubs throughout the country in order to ensure insofar as is possible a working environment for those who may find it possible to work from an alternative location; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18361/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOur Rural Future, Ireland’s Rural Development Policy 2021-2025, recognises 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 help to ameliorate the depopulation of certain areas.
Last May I launched the National Connected Hubs network together with the connectedhubs.ie platform. The platform offers a suite of booking and hub management applications to members of the Network. There are currently 223 hubs live on the platform, with this number increasing on an ongoing basis.
My Department continues to fund the establishment and development of remote working hubs under a number of funding streams, including funding 28 projects related to remote working under the 2021 Town and Village Renewal Scheme which I announced recently.
In February, I also launched the 2022 Connected Hubs Call, a €5 million funding stream to further support remote working facilities (including BCPs) throughout the country and add further capacity to the National Hub Network. My officials are currently evaluating the applications submitted and I expect to announce the successful applicants in the next few weeks.
Details of all these schemes and successful applications are available at www.gov.ie.
As co-chair, with Minister of State Smyth, of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce, I have a role in driving forward efforts to improve connectivity across the country. Furthermore, delivery of the National Broadband Plan is a key deliverable of Our Rural Future and I continue to offer our full support for that vitally important project.
987. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which first funding allocations are anticipated from the new community centres investment fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18362/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI recently announced details of a new Community Centres Investment Fund. This capital fund, with a budget of €15m, is to support community groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with the upgrade and refurbishment of existing Community Centres. This is an investment in both rural and urban communities across the country. The fund will assist with projects such as:
- Energy retrofitting projects that reduce an organisation's carbon footprint;
- Works to address safety concerns, including as a result of fire safety audits;
- Works to improve disability access;
- Works to improve communal facilities such as kitchen and toilet facilities; and
- Essential maintenance.
I expect applications to open shortly. Guidelines and application forms will be available on my Department’s website. When the assessment of applications is complete later in the year, allocations will be made from the Fund, details of which will be also made available on the Department's website.
988. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she can encourage the use of the local improvement scheme by various local authorities in which suitable schemes are proposed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18363/22]
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. The LIS supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. The scheme makes an important contribution to connectivity in rural Ireland.
The 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 benefited over 13,300 landowners and residents in these rural areas.
The Local Improvement Scheme is demand-led, is typically over subscribed at Local Authority level and the available budget is fully utilised each year.
I launched the 2021 scheme with an initial budget of €10.5 million. I sourced additional funding last year from savings within my Department's vote, effectively doubling investment to bring the total for 2021 to €21 million.
I was pleased, as part of Budget 2022, to announce an increase in the base funding for LIS from €10.5 million to €11 million this year. I have now announced the details of this year’s scheme, including the details of the individual allocations to each county this year.
989. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of applications for local improvement schemes from each local authority received by the appropriate Department in the past 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18364/22]
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. The LIS supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. The scheme makes an important contribution to connectivity in rural Ireland.
The 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 benefited over 13,300 landowners and residents in these rural areas.
I launched the 2021 scheme with an initial budget of €10.5 million. I sourced additional funding last year from savings within my Department's vote, effectively doubling investment to bring the total for 2021 to €21 million.
I was pleased, as part of Budget 2022, to announce an increase in the base funding for LIS from €10.5 million to €11 million this year. I have now announced the details of this year’s scheme, including the details of the individual allocations to each county this year.
Applications under the scheme are submitted to the relevant Local Authority and are not received directly by my Department. The determination of eligibility and the prioritisation of LIS applications is a matter for each relevant Local Authority based on their funding allocation. Each year, the Local Authority informs my Department of the roads which it has selected for improvements works under the scheme. There were 660 such LIS projects delivered under the 2021 scheme.
990. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which various recreational walk schemes throughout the country continue to be expanded by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18365/22]
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.
Last September, I announced the 'approval in principle' of 31 new trails to join the Walks Scheme. This fulfills the commitment in the Programme for Government and Our Rural Future to double the number of trails on the Scheme to 80 trails. These trails are being formally brought onto the scheme by Local Development Companies who deliver the Walks Scheme locally and who are developing work plans for each of the individual landholders involved. A full list of the trails are available on my Departments website at www.gov.ie/drcd.
Once the new trails are fully operational under the Scheme, I will examine the potential for the further expansion of the Scheme. An expression of interest process will be opened for new trails in advance of any further expansion of the scheme.
992. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she and her Department continue to strive for an even spread of development, job locations and digital hubs throughout the country in such a way as to ensure the availability of an office setting in areas not previously sufficiently provided for through digital developments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18367/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOur Rural Future, Ireland’s Rural Development Policy 2021-2025, places a central importance on the objective of achieving balanced regional and rural development and maximising economic growth and development in all parts of the country. The Policy contains a wide range of actions across Government which will support this aim. I recently published the first Progress Report for Our Rural Future, which shows the considerable progress that has been made under the Policy to date.
In relation to the specific issue of hubs as referenced by the Deputy, Our Rural Future recognises 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.
Last May I launched the National Connected Hubs network together with the connectedhubs.ie platform. The platform offers a suite of booking and hub management applications to members of the Network, both hub managers and remote workers. There are currently 223 hubs live on the platform, with this number increasing on an ongoing basis.
Hubs in the National Network may be found in villages, towns and cities across the country and, when the Network is complete, I expect more than 400 hubs to be available via the shared online platform. The location and details of all hubs in the National Hub Network may be found at www.connectedhubs.ie
In parallel with the National Hubs Network project, my department is also establishing 300 Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) in rural and isolated areas, including a number of off-shore islands. BCPs are publicly accessible facilities that will make onsite internet-enabled services available to their local communities, including remote work and study. The locations of all BCPs, live and planned, may be found at www.myconnectedcommunity.ie
My Department continues to fund the establishment and development of remote working hubs under a number of funding streams, including funding of €18.5m under the 2021 Town and Village Renewal Scheme. Successful projects included 28 remote working proposals.
Furthermore, in February I launched the 2022 Connected Hubs Call, a €5 million funding stream to further support remote working facilities (including BCPs) throughout the country and add further capacity to the National Hub Network. My officials are currently evaluating the applications submitted and I expect to announce the successful applicants in the next few weeks.
In short, my Department has for the last number of years made a determined effort to ensure, in so far as is reasonably possible, that those wishing to work from a remote or co-working space has the opportunity to do so. The investment in and development of this remote working infrastructure will have tangible impact on the delivery of more balanced regional and rural development.
993. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the cost of consultants to her Department in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022; and if she will provide an outline of the role of each. [18894/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy, on cost of consultants, is laid out in the tables below, by year.
|
2020 |
Cost |
Outline of role |
|
Review of the Community Services Programme - Indecon |
€37,473.99 (This final payment was paid on 27/01/2020, total cost of the Review was €112,422) |
Following transfer of responsibility for the Community Services Programme (CSP) from then DEASP to DRCD, it was decided to review the programme to ensure that it more closely aligns with the Department’s and Government policy and is better placed to meet community needs. Indecon International Economic Consultants undertook the review of the CSP on behalf of the Department |
|
Comm-IT (South Dublin Volunteer Centre) |
€30,000 |
Public Participation Network database infrastructure (setup, training and technical support services) |
|
Venture International |
€15,010 |
Review of REDZ Scheme which commenced in 2020 and was completed in 2021. |
|
Space Engagers |
€6,440 |
2nd part of fee for Report on the Town Centre Living Initiative Pilot scheme. Total cost of report: €12,880 |
|
Acrux Consulting |
€12,983.68 |
External workplace investigation of confidential HR staff case. |
|
Maynooth University |
€10,125.05 first payment (The total cost of the review was €20,086, the second payment issued in January 2021) |
CLÁR Programme Review - Research Contract Agreement with Maynooth University- to undertake the review of the CLÁR Programme area designations. |
|
MCA Consulting Services Ltd |
€27,446.97 |
Hire of Footfall Monitoring Devices and Data Collection and Report |
|
RPS Consulting Engineers Ltd |
€45,260.67 |
Environmental Assessment training for local authority staff related to telecoms infrastructure. Includes guidance document, training and final report. |
|
Future Analytics |
€4,918.65 |
Digilabs Feasibility Study for the AEC region |
|
Korec (trading as Precise Construction) |
€13,085.90 |
Training for local authority staff in the use of Trimble devices (to map underground telecoms infrastructure) |
|
Social Justice Ireland |
€10,000.00 |
PPN Annual Report 2020 compilation |
|
Stephen Rourke |
€9,348 |
Public participation Networks’ Secretariat Network –facilitation (establishing network, chairing meetings and developing procedures) |
|
Social Justice Ireland |
€21,520 |
PPN training course |
|
Doonane Construction Services Ltd |
€1,476 |
Cost report on works completed on LEADER Project Claim. (Confidential - not published) |
|
2021 |
Cost |
Outline of role |
|
Review of the Walks Scheme |
€66,545 |
Outdoor Recreation Northern Ireland (ORNI) were engaged to undertake an external review of the Walks Scheme to examine the delivery and strategic development of the Scheme. |
|
Review of the Landscape of Philanthropy in Ireland - Indecon |
€78,554 |
The Department of Rural and Community Development identified the development of a National Philanthropy Strategy as part of Goal 4 of the DRCD Statement of Strategy 2021-2023. To assist the development of the proposed National Philanthropy Strategy, Indecon was appointed by the Department to conduct an independent overview examination of the landscape of philanthropic giving in Ireland. |
|
Maynooth University |
€9,960.42 (final payment) |
CLÁR Programme Review - Research Contract Agreement with Maynooth University. In 2020 the Department engaged NUI Maynooth to undertake a review of the CLÁR Programme area designations. |
|
Mazars |
€71,155.50 |
Structural Review of Public Participation Networks |
|
Venture International |
€35,354 |
Review of REDZ scheme commenced in 2020 and was completed in 2021. Total cost of review was €50,364 |
|
MCA Consulting Services Ltd |
€26,548.29 |
Hire of Footfall Monitoring Devices and Data Collection and Report |
|
Islands Transport:Re-instating the PSO status for the air service to the Aran Islands - North Point Aviation Services |
€5,842.63 |
The Department of Rural and Community Development subsidises air, cargo and ferry services to the off-shore Islands. These services provide reliable, affordable year round mainland connectivity for the Island communitiesThe air service to the Aran Islands is one such service. The PSO status for this route lapsed in 2019 and the Department has engaged professional aviation consultants, Northpoint Aviation Services, in drafting a updated tender document for the new PSO contract. The tender document was published and the new contract will come into effect in June 2022. |
|
Clearwave |
€2,890.50 |
Technical feasibility survey for the Airband TVWS project |
|
Social Justice Ireland |
€10,000 |
PPN Annual Report 2021 |
|
Social Justice Ireland |
€60,600 |
PPN training course |
|
Comm-IT (South Dublin Volunteer Centre) |
€30,000 |
Public Participation Network database infrastructure (setup, training and technical support services) |
|
Stephen Rourke |
€14,109 |
Public Participation Networks’ Secretariat Network –facilitation (establishing network, chairing meetings and developing procedures) |
|
2022 |
Cost |
Outline of role |
|
Grant Thornton |
€103,960.00 (estimate) |
Work started in early January 2022 to support DRCD on the drafting of its new People Strategy and developing and rolling out of a new Leadership programme in DRCD |
|
MCA Consulting Services Ltd |
€6,590.19 |
Hire of Footfall Monitoring Devices and Data Collection and Report |
|
Curran Futures |
€22,140 |
Financial expertise for the Western Investment Fund (WIF) element of the Periodic Critical Review (of the Western Development Commission). |
|
Baseline Data Gathering Exercise of Social Enterprise in Ireland. |
€101,950 |
A lack of data relating to social enterprise has impeded efforts to develop policy for the sector and to support and raise awareness of social enterprise in Ireland. The first National Social Enterprise Policy was published in 2019. One of its key actions is to improve data collection relating to the extent of social enterprise in Ireland and the areas in which it operates. Following a rigorous procurement process, a consortium led by Amárach Research with Social Enterprise Republic of Ireland (SERI) and the Irish Local Development Network (ILDN), were awarded the contract by the Department. Following this project we expect to be in a much better position to develop a successor social enterprise policy, and to support the sector with a strong evidence base. |
|
Venture International Limited |
€21,817 |
Independent Review of LEADER Delivery Models for the 2014-2020 LEADER ProgrammeThe overall aim of the review exercise is to gauge the effectiveness of the 2014-2020 LEADER programme and explore how the delivery mechanisms for LEADER 2023-2027 programme could be implemented, building upon the partnership approach adopted in the 2014-2020 programme, while having regard to the PfG Commitments and the locally led partnership approach, together with EU regulatory requirements |
