Written Answers Nos. 796-811
796. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which employment continues in the agri-food and fishing sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53549/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department continually monitors the levels of employment in the agriculture and wider agri-food sector. Employment figures are primarily sourced from the Central Statistics Office's (CSO) quarterly Labour Force Survey.
Looking at trends over the period 2019 to 2021, employment in the overall agri-food sector has grown by 6,400 to 170,400 people. This represents 7.1% of the total workforce. The average numbers employed in agriculture, forestry and fishing were 107,000 in 2021, (+4,500 over the period 2019 to 2021) with 49,650 employed in the manufacture of food products (+850). There were 7,750 employed in the manufacture of beverages (+1,000) and about 6,000 employed in the wood and wood-processing sector.
It should be noted that the Labour Force Survey is based on the main employment a person reports in the survey. Where a part-time farmer reports their off-farm job as their main employment, they will not be recorded as working in primary agriculture. Teagasc in their annual National Farm Survey outline that up to 34% of farm holders have off-farm employment, while 54% of farm holders and/or their spouse has an off-farm employment.
It is also important to note that while the overall level of employment from these sectors is 7.1% of total employment nationwide, the proportion of employment outside Dublin is much greater. For example, CSO data shows that in the border region the agri-food sector employment accounted for 14.2% of overall employment and accounted for over 12% in the south-east region.
797. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which his Department continues to advise the farming community regarding optimum levels of fertiliser permissible, in order to meet land fertility requirements and emission reduction targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53550/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) is the competent authority for Statutory Instrument (S.I.) Number 113 of 2022; the European Union (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2022. These Regulations give effect to Ireland's 5th Nitrates Action Programme.
My Department works closely with DHLGH on the Regulations and development, as well as implementation, of Ireland's Nitrates Action Programme.
The technical tables in Schedule 2 of S.I. No. 113 of 2022 set out the maximum permissible limits of nitrogen and phosphorous fertiliser allowed for agricultural crops. These provide the optimum nutrient requirements for crop growth.
The associated technical tables within S.I. No. 113 of 2022 are based on scientific research outcomes primarily guided by Teagasc, the State agency providing research, advisory and training services to the agri-food industry. In July 2020 Teagasc published their most recent edition of "Major and micro nutrient advice for productive agricultural crops". This book provides advice on crop fertiliser requirements.
Under Ireland's 5th Nitrates Action Programme, which came into effect earlier this year, the maximum chemical nitrogen allowances for grassland were reduced by 10%. In addition to contributing to improved water quality, this measure will provide an associated co-benefit of reducing national greenhouse gas emissions.
My Department informs the agricultural advisory services, which include Teagasc, the Agricultural Consultants Association and other private agricultural advisors, on any regulatory changes regarding nutrient allowances. Additionally, all agricultural advisors working on Department schemes, are Farm Advisory Service accredited, to ensure a consistent understanding and the provision of appropriate nutrient advice to farmers.
799. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her views on matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding the new LEADER programme 2023+; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52735/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe LEADER Programme is a key intervention of Our Rural Future, the Government’s Policy for rural development launched last year, which aims to deliver a range of actions to rural communities over the lifetime of the policy.
€250m has been made available for LEADER for the period 2021 to 2027. This is comprised of €70 million for the transitional period 2021 to 2022 and an additional €180 million from 2023 to 2027, thus maintaining the level of funding provided for the 2014-2020 programming period. The maintenance of the €250m funding allocation will underpin the continued contribution of the LEADER approach in delivering on the Government’s vision for Rural Ireland and is evidence of the Government’s continued support for the LEADER programme.
I note the points raised in the correspondence regarding the new LEADER programme and the funding allocations for Cork County. My Department’s focus now is to finalise the design of the new LEADER programme, including the funding allocations, and the views of all stakeholders are being taken into consideration in this regard.
I expect to be in a position to announce details of the commencement of a two stage selection process and funding allocations for the new LEADER programme shortly. I look forward to the implementation of the new LEADER programme and to ensuring that LEADER can continue to deliver real benefits to rural communities across Ireland.
800. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of persons working in her Department’s press office, communications team and social media team in tabular form. [52787/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) was established on 19th July 2017 to provide a renewed and consolidated focus on rural and community development in Ireland.
There are currently six posts in my Department’s Communications Unit, which undertakes all of the functions specified by the Deputy.
801. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of vacant properties that are owned by her Department; the estimated economic value of the vacant properties; and if she will provide a list of such properties. [52856/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra802. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of properties that are being leased by her Department that are currently vacant; and if she will provide a list of such properties. [52874/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 801 and 802 together.
My Department occupies offices in Trinity Point, Dublin 2 and Government Buildings in Ballina, Co. Mayo. Our offices in Trinity Point are leased on our behalf by the Office of Public Works (OPW) while the building we occupy in Ballina is in the ownership of the OPW.
My Department does not currently own any vacant properties nor hold any leases for properties, vacant or otherwise.
803. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the role that her Department has played in the integration of Ukrainian refugees into communities; if her Department and any agencies under its remit has had an involvement at local or national level in the response; the further steps that they intend taking to ensure that services are provided to assist in this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51656/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has responsibility for the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2018 – 2023 that provides funding to tackle poverty and social exclusion at a local level through local engagement and partnerships between disadvantaged individuals, community organisations and public sector agencies. The programme is implemented nationally by 46 Local Development Companies (LDCs).
Since the start of this crisis, flexibility has been offered by my Department in relation to SICAP so that its some 600 community development workers can contribute locally in responding to the needs of the people from Ukraine to help them settle in and engage with local communities.
€10.5 million was announced by my Department earlier this year for the community response to support people arriving from Ukraine. €5 million funding was allocated to SICAP in recognition of the ongoing contribution being made by the programme, this additional funding ensures that normal SICAP service delivery can be maintained along with the on-the-ground response and services for the people arriving from Ukraine. A further €5 million was allocated for the "Ireland for Ukraine Fund" which is being administered by Community Foundation Ireland. In addition, funding of €0.5 million was provided for volunteer centres to deal with increased activity and demands on those centres and on the volunteers helping to deal with this crisis.
Some services that are available through SICAP to support Ukrainians include transport services; access to health care; access to school places; services to older people; Ukrainian community engagement; personal skills and well-being, lifelong learning and access to the labour market. Some of these supports are delivered on a one-to-one basis and in a group setting.
My Department will continue to monitor the situation and keep it under review, and I was delighted to secure additional funding of €10m for SICAP in budget 2023 to deal specifically with new arrivals from Ukraine.
I am also very pleased to have secured funding of €1m for the volunteering element of the Ukraine response in 2023, to continue to support the ongoing efforts of volunteers and Volunteer Centres to respond to the needs of displaced Ukrainians and the ongoing community response to the crisis.
804. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when successful applicants to the community centre investment fund 2022 will be notified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53014/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll applications to the Community Centres Investment Fund are subject to a competitive assessment process based on the assessment criteria as set out in the fund guidelines.
Category 1 applicants were notified of the outcome of this process earlier this month. Details of successful applicants are available on my department’s website at www.gov.ie/drcd.
Due to the high level of applications to the fund, the appraisal process is currently ongoing for Category 2 and 3. It is expected to be later in quarter 4 of 2022 when applicants for these categories are notified of the outcome of the application and appraisal process.
805. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will ensure that the three local community development committees in County Cork are allocated proportionate funding in the LEADER 2023-2027 Programme reflecting their size and need. [53273/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe LEADER Programme is a key intervention of Our Rural Future, the Government’s Policy for rural development launched last year which aims to deliver a range of actions to rural communities over the lifetime of the policy.
€250m has been made available for the LEADER programme for the period 2021 to 2027. This is comprised of €70 million for the transitional period 2021 to 2022 and an additional €180 million from 2023 to 2027, thus maintaining the level of funding provided for the 2014-2020 programming period. The maintenance of the €250m funding allocation will underpin the continued contribution of the LEADER approach in delivering on the Government’s vision for Rural Ireland and is evidence of the Government’s continued support for the LEADER programme.
I note the points raised by the Deputy in relation to the funding allocation for County Cork for the 2023-2027 LEADER programme. My Department’s focus now is to finalise the design of the new LEADER programme, including the funding allocations, and the views of all stakeholders are being taken into consideration in this regard.
I expect to be in a position to announce details of the commencement of a two stage selection process and funding allocations for the new LEADER programme shortly and look forward to continuing to work closely with stakeholders to build on the success of the LEADER programme over the last 30 years.
806. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of Kinnegad library and town park project, previously granted under the rural regeneration fund. [53339/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Rural Regeneration and Development Fund provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns and villages and rural areas across Ireland. The Fund has, to date, allocated funding of €280 million for 191 projects across the country worth a total of €380 million.
Calls for applications to the Fund are sought under two categories – Category 1 and Category 2. Category 1 relates to large scale ambitious capital projects with all necessary planning and other consents in place and which are ready to proceed. Category 2 provides funding to enable the development of project proposals suitable for future calls for Category 1 applications.
The Kinnegad Regeneration Phase 2 project was approved for funding of €8,174,780 under the third call for Category 1 applications to the Fund. The lead party for this project is Westmeath County Council. The latest update supplied to my Department stated that the tender process for the works contractor to deliver the Community Library and Education Centre is currently in progress. Westmeath County Council will be in a position to provide any further details required in respect of this project.
807. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will give favourable consideration for funding for projects (details supplied) in their respective applications under the community centre fund; and the timeframe for announcing funding for same. [53340/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll applications to the Community Centres Investment Fund are subject to a competitive assessment process based on the assessment criteria as set out in the fund guidelines.
Category 1 applicants were notified of the outcome of this process earlier this month. Details of successful applicants are available on my department’s website at www.gov.ie/drcd.
The groups the Deputy refers to applied for Category 3 funding under the Community Centres Investment Fund. Due to the high level of applications to the fund, the appraisal process is currently ongoing for Category 2 and 3. It is expected to be later in quarter 4 of 2022 when applicants for these categories are notified of the outcome of the application and appraisal process.
808. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if it is her desire to see the community centres fund open for applications again in 2023, given the success and popularity for this fund in 2022, and the need for such funding for many rural communities around Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53370/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI launched the €15 million Community Centres Investment Fund in April 2022 and the fund closed to applications on Thursday 14th July 2022. The interest in the fund was extremely high, resulting in 1,048 applications being received under 3 Categories.
To date, over €12.5 million has been awarded to 580 successful Category 1 applicants. Details of the successful applicants are available on my department’s website at www.gov.ie/drcd.
Due to the high level of applications to the fund, the appraisal process is currently ongoing for Category 2 and 3. It is expected to be later in quarter 4 of 2022 when applicants for these categories are notified of the outcome of the application and appraisal process.
I am delighted to inform the Deputy that I have secured €20 million in funding under Budget 2023 for a 2023 Community Centres Investment Fund. It is intended that the 2023 fund will be targeted for new build community centres as well as upgrades and improvements to existing centres. The details of this scheme are currently being developed by officials within my Department and further details will be announced in 2023.
809. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of grant funding that will be made available for businesses under the streetscape enhancement scheme to assist with the upgrade and enhancement of shop fronts; the number of towns that have been selected to date under the scheme by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53471/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Streetscape Enhancement Measure was introduced in 2021 as part of the commitment in Our Rural Future to upgrade and enhance shopfronts and street facades in our rural towns and villages.
Under the 2022 Streetscape Enhancement Measure €2.6 million is being made available to improve the visual appearance of our urban streetscapes.
Eligible local authorities have selected towns and areas within the towns to benefit from the Measure and have submitted applications to my Department detailing works applied for.
Local authorities have until 31 August 2023 to have works under the scheme completed. The table below details the towns approved under the Measure and amount of funding allocated to these towns.
|
Selected Towns under 2022 Streetscape Enhancement Measure |
||
|
County Council |
Town |
Funding Allocated |
|
Carlow County Council |
Bagenalstown |
€100,000 |
|
Cavan County Council |
Ballyconnell |
€100,000 |
|
Clare County Council |
Lisdoonvarna |
€100,000 |
|
Cork County Council |
Bandon |
€100,000 |
|
Donegal County Council |
Lifford |
€100,000 |
|
Fingal County Council |
Rush |
€100,000 |
|
Galway County Council |
Tuam |
€100,000 |
|
Kerry County Council |
Tarbert |
€100,000 |
|
Kildare County Council |
Athy |
€100,000 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
Callan |
€100,000 |
|
Laois County Council |
Abbeyleix |
€100,000 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
Carrick On Shannon |
€100,000 |
|
Limerick County Council |
Foynes |
€100,000 |
|
Longford County Council |
Granard |
€100,000 |
|
Louth County Council |
Omeath |
€100,000 |
|
Mayo County Council |
Ballyhaunis |
€100,000 |
|
Meath County Council |
Trim |
€100,000 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
Clones |
€100,000 |
|
Offaly County Council |
Clara |
€100,000 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
Ballinlough |
€100,000 |
|
Sligo County Council |
Enniscrone |
€100,000 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
Tipperary Town |
€100,000 |
|
Waterford County Council |
Tallow |
€100,000 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
Kilbeggan |
€100,000 |
|
Wexford County Council |
Enniscorthy |
€100,000 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
Newtownmountkennedy |
€100,000 |
810. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if officials in her Department will undertake a study of Kilkishen, County Clare, with the view to designating it as a Clár area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53502/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe CLÁR Programme provides funding for small-scale projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population over a defined period. Since the programme was relaunched in 2016, it has supported a wide range of measures.
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 this 2016 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.
The details of the review are currently being examined by my Department.
811. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the breakdown of funding allocated to men’s clubs across all schemes that were received by her Department; the amount of funding allocated, by CHO area, by group, from 2019 to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53560/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides a range of supports which Men's Sheds/Groups can avail of depending on the works being completed.
Since 2019, the Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) provided capital funding for community groups which included €0.5m that was ring-fenced under the programme for both Men's & Women's Sheds. The CEP ran again in 2020 and 2021 providing small capital grants to community groups to enhance their facilities and towards the reopening of facilities. A list of all successful CEP projects is available at this link www.gov.ie The Deputy should note that all funding details provided are from Local Authority areas and not by CHO areas.
In November 2021 the €9m Community Activities Fund (CAF) was launched to support community groups impacted by COVID-19. This fund supported groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with their running/operating costs such as utility or insurance bills, as well as with improvements to their facilities. Men's Sheds were free to apply for this funding via their Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs). A list of all successful CAF projects is available at this link www.gov.ie.
Funding under the LEADER programme is not targeted at any particular group or sector in rural communities. It is, rather, focused on a thematic approach to rural development under the headings of Economic Development, Enterprise Development and Job Creation; Social Inclusion; and the Rural Environment. The Department does not, therefore, capture details of the amount of funding approved specifically for Men’s Sheds/Groups under the LEADER programme.
Since 2018 the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) has provided supports to over 250 Men’s Sheds, with small grants totalling over €134,000.
The Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO) provides multi-annual funding towards core costs of national, community and voluntary organisations. The scheme ran from 1st July 2019 to 30th June 2022. The Irish Men’s Sheds Association was allocated €270,000 over the three year period of the scheme.
Under the new iteration, which commenced on 1 July 2022 and will cease on 30 June 2025, the Irish Men’s Sheds Association has been allocated total funding of €243,158 over the three year period of the Scheme.
My Department also funded the Irish Men’s Sheds Association under the Stability Fund in 2020, with €70,424 in current funding to support the organisation to continue to deliver services despite the challenges brought by COVID-19.
I encourage all organisations to check on www.gov.ie and to keep in touch with their local LCDC for information around funding opportunities.
