Thursday, 8 Sep 2022

Written Answers Nos. 2156-2175

Customs and Excise

Ceisteanna (2156)

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

2156. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the engagement that he has had with a group (details supplied) pursuant to the recent decision to concentrate border custom port controls for agri-food and related products at Dublin Airport, or in the case of sea/road freight, Rosslare Euro Port; the analysis that his Department has carried out into the impact of discontinuing this service at Shannon Airport; the reason behind the decision to discontinue this service at Shannon Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44299/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department operates four border control posts (BCP), at Dublin Airport, Shannon Airport, Dublin Port and Rosslare Euro Port.  Their purpose is to carry out official controls on consignments of goods which require sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS)  checks when they first enter the EU.

There has been no decision taken to concentrate border control SPS checks for agri-food related products at Dublin Airport or Rosslare Euro Port.  It is a legal requirement under European law that all goods which require SPS checks when first entering the EU must undergo same at the BCP of first entry to the Union. Officials from my department are in constant engagement with the relevant stakeholders involved in such imports to the EU, to make them aware of these legal requirements.

Products which arrive to the EU at Dublin Airport must be checked at the BCP there and products which arrive at Rosslare must be checked at Rosslare Europort. 

Shannon Airport BCP remains fully operational and is available to perform official controls on SPS products that enter the EU at Shannon airport.

Ports Policy

Ceisteanna (2157)

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

2157. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the decision was made to concentrate border custom port controls for agri-food and related products at Dublin Airport, or in the case of sea/road freight, Rosslare Euro Port; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44300/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

There has been no decision taken to concentrate border control SPS checks for agri-food related products at Dublin Airport or Rosslare Euro Port. My Department continues to services Border Control Posts at Dublin Port and Shannon Airport.  It is a legal requirement under European law that all goods which require SPS checks when first entering the EU must under go same at the BCP of first entry to the Union. 

Products which arrive to the EU at Dublin Airport must be checked at the BCP there and products which arrive at Rosslare must be checked at Rosslare Europort - similarly for the other BCPs. Officials from my department are in constant engagement with the relevant stakeholders involved in such imports to make them aware of these legal requirements.

Ports Policy

Ceisteanna (2158)

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

2158. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will clarify the consultation process which took place prior to the taking of the decision to concentrate border custom port controls for agri-food and related products at Dublin Airport, or in the case of sea/road freight, Rosslare Euro Port; the organisations or bodies that were consulted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44301/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

No such decision - to concentrate border control SPS checks for agri-food related products at Dublin Airport or Rosslare Euro Port - has been taken.  The matter of consultation does not arise

The Department continues to provide BCP facilities at Dublin Airport, Shannon Airport, Dublin Port and Rosslare Euro port.

Ports Policy

Ceisteanna (2159)

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

2159. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details of any Department meetings held in relation to the decision to concentrate border custom port controls for agri-food and related products at Dublin Airport, or in the case of sea/road freight, Rosslare Euro Port; the details of those who attended these meetings; if he will provide a copy of the minutes of these meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44302/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

There has been no decision taken to concentrate border control SPS checks for agri-food related products at Dublin Airport or Rosslare Euro Port, nor have there been any meetings held to discuss such. 

As no meetings in this context took place, there is no list of attendees nor are there any minutes. 

Agriculture Schemes

Ceisteanna (2160)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

2160. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a list of all existing agricultural schemes and payments run by his Department, including agri-environmental schemes and all schemes and payments for producers including basic payments; and the amount of money spent on each scheme in each of the past five years in tabular form. [44303/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The attached table sets out details of all the farmer scheme payments made by my Department to Irish farmers each year from 2017 to 30 June 2022.

farmer scheme payments table

Forestry Sector

Ceisteanna (2161)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

2161. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a study by a public body in a neighbouring jurisdiction (details supplied) concerning a systematic analysis of the rate of net CO2 uptake over time as a result of creating a wide range of different types of woodland; the way that this study might influence forestry policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44304/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I can confirm that my Department is aware of the recent study on sustainable carbon cycles published by the Research Agency of the Forestry Commission. 

This research coupled with work carried out by my My Department plays an important role in providing evidence based research which contributes to the development of forest policy.

Ireland's new Forest Strategy and next Forestry Programme recognise the importance of forestry in climate change mitigation and adaptation. The suite of measures currently being drafted for Ireland's next Forestry Programme will provide opportunities for increased forest establishment and recognise the importance of our existing forest estate, including the  benefits of using wood in the built environment.

Studies in forest carbon analysis acknowledge the importance of all forest types and the ability to remove carbon dioxide when planted on the right site. While some forest types such as broadleaves may take longer to remove carbon dioxide than conifer forests planted over the same timeframe, all forests can make a positive contribution in the long term.

Food Industry

Ceisteanna (2162)

Patricia Ryan

Ceist:

2162. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the next meeting of the sheep vision group will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44326/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The next meeting of the Food Vision Beef and Sheep Group will take place in mid-September.

This Group has been established to advance the actions for the beef and sheep sector identified in the Food Vision 2030 strategy.

The Food Vision Beef and Sheep Group’s first priority is to fulfil the Food Vision commitment to ‘produce a detailed plan by Q4 2022 to manage the sustainable environmental footprint of the beef sector, including minimising total emissions, while making a positive contribution to improved water quality and biodiversity, in line with government policy’.

The Group has been tasked to provide an initial report to the Minister by end September setting out how emissions associated with the beef sector can be reduced; with a final plan to be submitted by end November 2022. The group will focus on beef exclusively up until the submission of the plan for the beef sector, after which the focus of the group will be on the remainder of the actions identified in Food Vision for both sectors.

Agriculture Schemes

Ceisteanna (2163)

Patricia Ryan

Ceist:

2163. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will introduce a scheme to reward farmers for storing carbon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44332/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department recognises the important role that land managers, including our farmers and foresters, will play in meeting our ambitious national climate change targets. The successful achievement of these targets will be influenced by the early adoption of innovations such as Carbon Farming.

The recent publication of the Commission's Communication on Sustainable Carbon Cycles has sent a clear signal to European Member States on the need to increase the ambition and participation of our land managers in the area of carbon removals and reductions.

The potential to reward farmers for their carbon sequestration activities is recognised under the All-of-Government Climate Action Plan 2021, which commits government to “develop an enabling framework to facilitate the roll out of a national carbon farming programme”.

As a result,  my Department is currently exploring, primarily through the Carbon Farming Working Group, how an enabling framework for carbon farming can be developed. Although this work is at an early stage, the potential rewards for farmers, and society in general, are clear.

To help establish the required baseline data required for a carbon sequestration reward model, I have provided funding for initiatives such as the establishment of the National Agricultural Soil Carbon Observatory, the Pilot Soil Sampling Programme and the Farm Environmental Scheme.

I have also provided funding for a number of European Innovation Partnership (EIP) research projects based on peatsoils, to provide the required data for the development of future policy options in this area.

It should also be noted that my Department will continue to reward both farmers and landowners for delivering environmental services through afforestation funding. Of particular relevance is funding provided under the Agroforestry Scheme and also the Woodland Environmental Fund, which partners private businesses with farmers and landowners to establish native woodlands on farms, with numerous environmental services occurring as a result of this activity.

It is important that we align with developments at EU level, and I look forward to the forthcoming proposals from the European Commission on a regulatory framework for Carbon Farming.

Forestry Sector

Ceisteanna (2164)

Patricia Ryan

Ceist:

2164. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to encourage afforestation as a climate mitigation measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44333/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Ireland’s forests play a significant role in climate change mitigation by removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. The national forest estate is an important stock of carbon, estimated at over 312 million tonnes.  

Ireland's existing Forestry Programme and the recently published Climate Action Plan 2021 highlight the importance of forests in removing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Ireland's forests are currently a net sink  of carbon dioxide and the timber produced also stores carbon in long-lived harvested wood products.

My Department recognises the importance of maintaining our forest areas, preventing deforestation and increasing the amount of wood used in construction. It also highlights the importance of afforestation.  

Ireland's Forestry Programme and the Climate Action Plan 2021 set an afforestation target of 8000 hectares per year which builds on the significant amounts of afforestation carried out since the 1990s. This target is ambitious when compared to recent afforestation rates and will be challenging to meet in the next decade.

However, my Department is committed to addressing the current barriers that have resulted in low afforestation rates. Project Woodland has a number of work streams that are focused on reducing the backlog in licensing, including the recent publication of a  regulatory review and an examination work processes. 

Key to success in increasing afforestation rates will be  building confidence among land owners in the benefits of forestry as well as streamlining the process.

The next Forestry Programme, which is currently being prepared, will see a suite of measures targeted specifically at increasing afforestation levels. The details of the  Programme will be released shortly and I also intend to publish a new Forestry Strategy later this year.

The next Forestry Programme and Forestry Strategy will take into account the extensive consultation already carried out at the beginning of 2022, on foot of which over 3, 000 submissions were received. Details of all consultations carried out to date will be published shortly.   

I am conscious that some stakeholders are calling for higher afforestation targets in excess of 8,000 ha. However I am also conscious that afforestation is a voluntary land use choice for landowners. Any target that is set must be realistic, and the 8,000ha target is a significant step up from existing levels which reached 2,434 ha last year.

Food Labelling

Ceisteanna (2165)

James O'Connor

Ceist:

2165. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any consideration is being given to allow dairy bred calves born in a non-organic farm be purchased and reared in an organic system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44336/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Organic production processes are governed by European Union legislation (EU) 2018/848 and all organic farmers must abide by these regulations. 

Organic farmers must be licensed by an Organic Certification Body and are subject to an on farm annual inspection as required in legislation.  

Under the Organic Regulation a limited number of non-organic animals may only be brought onto an organic farm under certain exceptional circumstances such as for breeding where appropriate animals are not available. 

The operator must obtain prior approval from their Organic Control Body prior to doing so as failure to do so will result in financial penalties.

Any proposed amendments to the regulations must be discussed and agreed at EU level.

Departmental Staff

Ceisteanna (2166)

Claire Kerrane

Ceist:

2166. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of whole-time equivalent laboratory analysts in biology employed by his Department as of 1 January 2021 and 26 August 2022, in tabular form. [44342/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Whole time equivalent Laboratory Analysts (entry grade - biology) employed by the Department

Date	Whole time equivalent Laboratory Analysts (entry grade - biology) employed by the Department	Actual number of Laboratory Analysts (entry grade - biology) employed by the Department
04/01/2021	90.2	94
29/08/2022	99.8	103

Note: the dates specified in the table are the closest dates to those specified by the Deputy for which DAFM HR has the required information, i.e. 04/01 instead of 01/01/2021 and 29/08 instead of 26/08/2022; in both cases just a few days later than the date requested.

Tourism Funding

Ceisteanna (2167)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

2167. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will establish a grant scheme towards the renovation of derelict rural properties for the purposes of providing tourism accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43731/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The Government recently published Town Centre First - A Policy Approach for Irish Towns.  This policy is a key deliverable of Our Rural Future, and represents a whole of Government policy to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres.  It contains a range of actions which will give our towns the tools and resources required to become viable, vibrant and attractive places to live, work, and socialise.

The policy is underpinned by significant levels of public investment spread across major Government schemes such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, the Croí Conaithe (Towns) Fund and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme, for example, aims to assist with the rejuvenation of rural towns and villages throughout Ireland, making them more attractive places to live, work, and visit.  This year, I introduced a new measure under the 2022 scheme providing up to €400,000 for each eligible local authority to purchase vacant and derelict buildings for future community use.  

Funding may be available for the type of project referred to by the Deputy through the LEADER Programme.  LEADER is a multi-annual programme covering the period 2014-2022 which is delivered through 29 Local Action Groups (LAGs) around the country.

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. 

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 the Gov.ie website at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/c45498-local-action-groups.  

Control of Dogs

Ceisteanna (2168)

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

2168. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she is considering adding any additional dog breeds to the restricted dog list (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42014/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 2014, set out a range of requirements for all dog owners or any other person in charge of a dog. The Control of Dogs Regulations 1998 set out further requirements that owners of specific breeds of dogs, including strains or crosses of those breeds, have to follow.  Such dogs must be muzzled and led, on a sufficiently strong leash or chain not exceeding 2 metres in length, by a competent person over 16 years of age, when in a public place.

Concerns had been raised regarding the overall approach to the regulation of restricted breeds.  Some stakeholders asserted that more breeds should be added to the list – especially given the newer breeds that have arrived in Ireland over the last number of years. Others believed that a different approach should be taken which would focus on the behavioural issues of individual dogs, rather than specific breeds and should move away from muzzling.

Following a review of this policy area, including a public consultation process to which over 1,000 responses were received, my Department recently published on gov.ie the report on ‘A Review of Measures relating to the Control of Dogs in Ireland’. A selection of the submissions received were also published alongside the report.  

My Department is now identifying any necessary legislative amendments that may be required.  The Department will also promote a culture of responsible dog ownership in Ireland, by supporting responsible dog ownership and education and awareness campaigns. The consultation report outlines measures regarding how it is proposed to do this.

Departmental Budgets

Ceisteanna (2169)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

2169. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will provide an update in respect of his scoping exercise regarding the establishment of a database to monitor funding in his sector; if he has consulted or plans to consult with benefacts in this regard; the amount that he has expended to date in the scoping exercise; and the total of the budget required to implement the database. [42037/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development (Deputy Joe O'Brien)

My Department is exploring options for the establishment of a national funding platform for the community and voluntary sector. This work is in line with the Department’s Statement of Strategy and also the Government’s five year Strategy for the C&V sector, Sustainable, inclusive and empowered communities.

The high level purpose of this exercise is to explore options for a database that would reduce the administrative burden on grantees and funders, as well as providing a single source of truth and source of analysis on state funded community and voluntary grantees, and the investment being made into these organisations.  Exploring a central end-to-end grant management system for all government departments is part of the scoping exercise and would be based on an agreed common set of data points as well as a ‘file-once’ principle for those organisations who have a grant funding relationship with the state.

The proposal is entirely separate from anything previously developed by Benefacts. Streamlining the compliance and reporting burden faced by the community and voluntary sector across many different agents of the State has been identified by my Department, via engagement with the sector, as a key requirement.

The merits of proceeding with this approach would be dependent on establishing a whole-of-government approach to governance reporting.

In May 2021, my Department entered into an agreement with Pobal to conduct a scoping exercise on the potential for a National Funding Platform of community and voluntary organisations which have a funding relationship with the State.   The cost of this initial scoping exercise was €30,000.

This scoping exercise report has been completed and is currently under consideration by my Department.

My Department is not in a position to estimate timeframes or costs for delivery of what would be a potentially significant long term project if the model is to sufficiently address the needs of public bodies, funded organisations and other stakeholders in respect of information sharing and provision.

Any decision to move forward with what would also be a significant ICT Development project would require Government approval, and would also be subject to the conditions set out in the public spending code.

Control of Dogs

Ceisteanna (2170)

James Lawless

Ceist:

2170. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will consider a reduction in the cost of the dog licence for senior citizens; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42078/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The most recent increase in the dog licence fee took effect over 10 years ago, on 1 January 2012. This was the first increase since 1998 and was in line with the increase in the consumer price index.  Since January 2012 the dog licence fees have remained at €20 for the individual dog licence, €140 for the lifetime of dog licence and €400 for the general dog licence.  The general dog licence covers an unspecified number of dogs in the one premises.  The annual dog licence and general dog licence are valid for one year while the lifetime of dog licence is valid for the dog’s lifetime.  

Dog licensing is an important dog control measure. Funds raised through dog licence fees are the primary source of funding for local authorities to enable them to undertake their responsibilities under the Control of Dogs Acts and associated regulations. I have no plans to adjust the cost of the dog licence fee at this time.

Rural Schemes

Ceisteanna (2171)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

2171. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when applications for the town and village renewal scheme 2022 will be approved; the steps in the process; the maximum amount of funding for any one project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42225/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The 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 2022 Town and Village Renewal Scheme prioritises projects that bring vacant and derelict buildings and sites in our town centres back into use as multi-purpose spaces.

For 2022, the maximum grant available through the Scheme remains at €500k, an increase which I introduced in 2021. The Town and Village Renewal Scheme alone has seen almost 1,400 projects across Ireland receive funding in excess of €113m since it's launch in 2016. 

All applications received under the Scheme are assessed as part of a competitive process.  I expect to be in a position to announce successful projects under the 2022 Town and Village Renewal Scheme later this year.

Rural Schemes

Ceisteanna (2172)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

2172. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department has an application on hand (details supplied) under the town and village renewal scheme 2022; when a decision will be made on it; the number of steps in the process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42226/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The 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 2022 Town and Village Renewal Scheme prioritises projects that bring vacant and derelict buildings and sites in our town centres back into use as multi-purpose spaces.

For 2022, the maximum grant available through the Scheme remains at €500k, an increase which I introduced in 2021. The Town and Village Renewal Scheme alone has seen almost 1,400 projects across Ireland receive funding in excess of €113m since it's launch in 2016.   The successful applications for the 2021 Town and Village Scheme included projects to redevelop a range of vacant buildings such as former banks, Garda stations, national schools, and convents.

I can confirm that the application referred to by the Deputy has been received by my Department and is currently undergoing assessment. All applications received under the Scheme are assessed as part of a competitive process.  I expect to be in a position to announce successful projects under the 2022 Town and Village Renewal Scheme later this year.

Rural Schemes

Ceisteanna (2173)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

2173. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of rural schemes, other than LEADER, that her Department has introduced for the development of infrastructure in rural areas outside of towns and villages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42227/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Rural and Community Development

My Department's 2022 budget allocation of €379 million supports rural and community development, including through investment in infrastructure and initiatives assisting the retention and attraction of jobs throughout the regions, including outside of the main towns and villages.

The Programme for Government places a strong emphasis on balanced regional development.  My own Department supports this commitment through targeted investment that supports rural regeneration, facilitates new working opportunities, and fosters regional enterprise growth.   

Other than the €70 million Transitional LEADER Programme  that came into effect in April 2021 and ensures that LEADER can remain a key intervention for rural areas, some of my Department's other funding and supports which are benefitting areas throughout the regions are as follows:  

- €60 million was allocated in 2022 for the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. The Fund has provided €278 million for 191 large scale infrastructural projects throughout the country which involve an overall investment of some €377 million.

- The CLÁR programme is a targeted investment programme which provides funding for small-scale infrastructural projects in rural areas that have suffered the greatest levels of population decline.

- Connected Hubs funding supports the development of remote working facilities as part of the National Connected Hubs Network.

- The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure such as walking trails, cycleways and blueways.

- The Local Improvement Scheme contributes to the upkeep of private roads in rural areas. 

- The €15m Community Centre Investment Fund will support community centres in both rural and urban settings.

Information on all of the funding and supports available through my Department is available online on the Gov.ie website.  I believe that this substantial investment, which is underpinned by transformative policies such as 'Our Rural Future' and 'Town Centre First', will continue to deliver real economic and social benefits for rural and urban communities.

Community Development Projects

Ceisteanna (2174)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

2174. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when decisions will be made under the Community Centres Investment Fund; the total amount of funding available for this; the total number of applications received; the amount of the fund directed towards energy generation and energy efficiency at community centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42229/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The Community Centres Investment Fund is a new capital fund of €15 million which will provide funding for the improvement and refurbishment of existing community centres in both urban and rural areas.

Over 1,000 applications were received and the appraisal process is currently ongoing. All applications will be subject to a competitive assessment process based on the assessment criteria as set out in the fund guidelines. 

Due to the high level of applications to the fund, it is expected to be quarter 4 of 2022 when applicants are notified of the outcome of the application and appraisal process.

Costs associated with improving the energy efficiency of Community Centres are eligible under the fund and details of successful applicants will be available on the Department’s website www.gov.ie/drcd.  Until all applications have been assessed and a decision made on successful projects, I am not in a position to provide the amount of funding directed towards energy generation and energy efficiency at Community Centres.

Community Development Projects

Ceisteanna (2175)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

2175. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when a decision will be made on an application for funding under the Community Centres Investment Fund (details supplied);; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42230/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The Community Centres Investment Fund application closing date was Thursday 14th July 2022, and I can confirm my Department received an application from the group the Deputy refers to.

The appraisal process is currently ongoing.  All applications will be subject to a competitive assessment process based on the assessment criteria as set out in the fund guidelines. 

Due to the high level of applications to the fund, it is expected to be quarter 4 of 2022 when applicants are notified of the outcome of the application and appraisal process.