Written Answers Nos. 915-922
915. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will outline any supports for a private commercial concern who wish to refurbish semi-derelict properties in rural towns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35264/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regeneration of our rural towns and villages and addressing issues of vacancy and dereliction is a key priority within both Our Rural Future and the Town Centre First policy. Accordingly, my Department implements a number of schemes which directly address these issues.
For example, under the 2022 Town and Village Renewal Scheme regeneration projects that assist in revitalising our rural towns and villages can be considered for funding. Applications under this scheme are made by local authorities, and these applications are developed in consultation with local business and community groups. The closing date for applications from local authorities under this year's scheme is 22 July.
The LEADER programme is another 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.
Support under the LEADER programme is provided under a broad range of themes, including Economic Development, Enterprise Development and Job Creation. This theme focuses on driving continued local economic development, including diversification of the rural economy, and the creation of employment opportunities for the local community.
Funding may be available through the LEADER Programme for the type of project referred to by the Deputy.
In order for a project to be eligible for LEADER funding, it must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved Local Development Strategy for the relevant LEADER area and it must comply with the Operating Rules and EU Regulations in place for the programme.
Prospective applicants should, in the first instance, contact their relevant LAG, through its Implementing Partner, to discuss the eligibility of the project and the funding that may be available. The list of all Local Action Groups, their Implementing Partners and their contact details, is available on my Department’s website.
916. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of in-person visits made to remote working hubs by her whilst acknowledging the impact of Covid-19 restrictions; by county in the years 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35270/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOur Rural Future, Ireland’s Rural Development Policy was launched in early 2021. The policy recognises the opportunity for rural rejuvenation that remote working presents and commits to establishing a comprehensive and integrated national network of 400 remote working hubs by 2025.
In furtherance of this commitment, my Department’s focus to date has been on strategically developing a national hubs network, adding capacity to Ireland's existing remote working infrastructure and supporting the establishment of new hubs.
Over €100m has been invested by my department in the development of remote working facilities through programmes such as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, and the Connected Hubs Call. Successful projects are developed in collaboration with local authorities and communities with many projects seeing vacant and derelict buildings in rural towns and villages converted into remote working hubs.
Last year I launched ConnectedHubs.ie, a shared online booking and payments platform for member hubs and their users. There are currently 249 remote and co-working facilities across the State on-boarded to the platform. This number is growing all the time meaning we are well on track to meet our target of 400 remote working hubs nationwide by 2025.
In tandem with the development of the National Hub Network, my department is also responsible for the development of the national network of Public Broadband Connection Points (BCPs). BCPs are publicly accessible sites, such as community centres and GAA clubs, in rural and isolated areas that make onsite internet services available to local communities. There are currently 273 of these community hubs completed and open to the public. The remaining 27 will be completed this year.
As the Deputy will appreciate, given the level of investment and support that my department provides to hubs and to remote workers, I am a frequent visitor to hubs across the country. While it is not possible to give an exact figure, I can confirm that during my Our Rural Future rural roadshows in 2021 and 2022 I have visited numerous hubs and BCPs all across rural Ireland, as well as regularly visiting hubs while on other business. The development of the National Hub Network remains a key priority in delivering on the Government's vision for rural Ireland, as outlined in Our Rural Future.
917. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of PhD positions funded by her Department or bodies under the aegis of her Department; the average stipend or salary paid to full-time PhD candidates through these funding streams; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35437/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that neither my Department or the four agencies under its remit are funding any PhD positions.
918. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to recent correspondence to her from Donegal ETB, when she will consider the details of the 2021 review of CLÁR areas nationally, using the 2016 Census of Population and make a decision on whether to include additional electoral divisions in County Donegal into the CLÁR scheme or not [35505/22]
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 depopulation over a defined period.
A review of CLÁR areas nationally was undertaken in 2021 using the 2016 Census of Population data. The review examined the most recent changes in population patterns throughout the country on the basis of 2016 Census data. It also examined the approach to developing the existing CLÁR designations, which is based on 2002 data and it considered how changes in population since then impacted on designations. While many areas will have seen population growth in the relevant period, the details of the review are being considered by my Department before any decisions are made in relation to areas which are designated as eligible for CLÁR.
919. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she has considered the pre-Budget submission of an organisation (details supplied) and its request for an increase in core grant funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35687/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's Community Services Programme (CSP) supports over 420 community-based organisations to provide local services through a social enterprise model, by providing an annual contribution of €19,033 for each full-time equivalent (FTE) position being supported, and, where warranted, €32,000 towards the cost of employing a manager.
The CSP contribution is not aligned to the minimum wage and does not meet the full salary cost of supported posts. The contribution must be co-funded by the organisation concerned from other sources, for example, from income received from the public use of their facilities and services.
There are currently over 1,700 FTE positions supported under the CSP. It should be noted that there are a number of CSP supported organisations currently in a position to pay their staff the living wage rate of €12.90 per hour.
An independent review of the CSP was undertaken by Indecon International Economic Consultants, on behalf of my Department, with the final report published in September 2020. Since the publication of the review report, my Department and Pobal, who administer the programme on behalf of my Department, have been working on a restructuring of the programme, in conjunction with a Consultative Group that is representative of stakeholders, of which the named organisation is a member. As part of this ongoing work, the rates of funding under the scheme are being reviewed.
My Department have in recent days met with the Consultative Group and have provided them with a detailed proposal on a revised funding rate allocation model and proposed new funding rates. Representative members of the Consultative Group are currently considering these proposals and will meet again with Department officials in the coming days. The submission received from the organisation, along with all of the feedback received from the Consultative Group will be considered in preparing my Department's budget requirements for the CSP Programme in 2023.
920. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the allocation provided in Budget 2022 to each division and unit within her Department in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35841/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe budget allocated to my Department for 2022 is published in the Revised Estimates Volume 2022, which is available here: assets.gov.ie/207416/1ebb916d-9839-458f-a4df-9fa77be9b7de.pdf
The Revised Estimate 2022 provides a gross allocation of €378.6 million, of which; €202.3 million is allocated to the Rural Development, Regional Affairs and the Islands programme area; €171.7 million is allocated to the Community Development programme area, and; €4.6 million is allocated to fund the Charities Regulatory Authority.
The table below provides a full breakdown of that funding across each area, including the share of capital and current funding. It should also be noted that a deferred surrender of €16.9 million in capital funding was carried forward from 2021 for use in 2022, meaning total funding of €395.5 million is available for use in 2022.
The 2022 gross allocation for my Department, of €378.6 million, represents an 8% increase on the 2021 allocation of €351 million, and builds further on strong funding growth in previous years. This increased funding for 2022 has allowed additional investment across our schemes, which are supporting communities right across the country. The funding has also allowed strong progress in the implementation of relevant actions in Our Rural Future, and the establishment of the new Community Centre Fund.
|
Programme/Scheme Area |
REV 2022 (Current) |
REV 2022 (Capital) |
REV 2022 (Total) |
|
V42 - RURAL & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (GROSS) |
186,548 |
192,000 |
378,548 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
A - RURAL DEVELOPMENT, REGIONAL AFFAIRS & ISLANDS |
33,039 |
169,216 |
202,255 |
|
A.1 - ADMINISTRATION - PAY |
6,543 |
0 |
6,543 |
|
A.2 - ADMINISTRATION - NON PAY |
915 |
96 |
1,011 |
|
A.3 - WESTERN DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION |
2,266 |
0 |
2,266 |
|
A.4 - RURAL SUPPORTS |
12,516 |
18,356 |
30,872 |
|
A.5 - LEADER |
0 |
48,000 |
48,000 |
|
A.6 - REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
2,260 |
1,120 |
3,380 |
|
A.7 - RURAL REGENERATION AND DEVELOPMENT |
0 |
97,000 |
97,000 |
|
A.8 - ISLANDS |
8,539 |
4,644 |
13,183 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
B - COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
148,903 |
22,784 |
171,687 |
|
B.1 - ADMINISTRATION - PAY |
4,679 |
0 |
4,679 |
|
B.2 - ADMINISTRATION - NON PAY |
790 |
64 |
854 |
|
B.3 - SUPPORTS FOR COMMUNITY & VOLUNTARY SECTOR |
18,344 |
1 |
18,345 |
|
B.4 - SICAP - LOCAL/REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT SUPPORTS |
51,066 |
0 |
51,066 |
|
B.5 - LOCAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEES |
2,405 |
0 |
2,405 |
|
B.6 - SUPPORTS FOR DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES |
6,233 |
1,267 |
7,500 |
|
B.7 - DORMANT ACCOUNTS MEASURES |
9,897 |
2,673 |
12,570 |
|
B.8 - PROGRAMME FOR PEACE AND RECONCILIATION |
4,317 |
2,650 |
6,967 |
|
B.9 - WATER SAFETY IRELAND |
1,179 |
0 |
1,179 |
|
B.10 - LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT AND ARCHIVE SERVICE |
1,102 |
6,629 |
7,731 |
|
B.11 – COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMME |
1 |
9,500 |
9,501 |
|
B.12 - COMMUNITY SERVICES PROGRAMME |
48,890 |
0 |
48,890 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
C - CHARITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY |
4,606 |
0 |
4,606 |
921. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the bodies under her aegis in which persons will receive a pay rise from 1 July 2022; the role of each where appropriate, or the anonymised salaries bands otherwise, the current remuneration and the proposed increase; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35858/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, Section 20 of the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 set out that restoration for public servants with annualised basic salaries above €150,000 would be completed by Ministerial order by 1 July 2022. In accordance with the legislation, an Order under Section 20 of the Act was laid before the Oireachtas on 30 June.
The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is currently liaising with all Government departments in relation to the 01 July restoration for affected posts under their aegis. This process is ongoing and my Department is awaiting the relevant Circular for General Service Grades in the Civil Service before an accurate response can be provided to your question.
The details will be forwarded to the Deputy once available.
922. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there will be a second allocation under the LIS scheme for County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36280/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. As part of Our Rural Future, the Government is committed to ensuring that the LIS is funded into the future. The scheme makes an important contribution to connectivity in rural Ireland.
From 2017 to 2021, my Department allocated €80 million towards improvement works on over 3,000 non-public roads and lanes benefiting over 13,300 landowners and residents in these rural areas.
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 announced details of the 2022 LIS in early April, which included €644,070 for Tipperary County Council.
Last year, I was in a position to double the initial LIS allocation to €21 million following the identification of savings in other capital areas. This year, I am continuing to closely monitor expenditure patterns. Should savings emerge, I will give consideration to again allocating additional funding to the scheme.
