Written Answers Nos. 81-100
81. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the Programme for Government’s commitment for an expanded town and village renewal scheme to bring vacant and derelict buildings back into use and promote residential occupancy; when communities can start applying for this funding; and the estimated amount available to each local authority. [53612/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Town and Village Renewal Scheme is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. Since the introduction of the scheme in 2016 over €113 million has been allocated to more than 1,400 projects across Ireland.
A key focus of the 2021 Scheme was to renovate derelict and vacant buildings in our town centres, including for residential living. For 2021 the maximum grant available under the Scheme was increased to €500,000 to permit projects of additional scale to be funded.
The 2022 Scheme continued to build on the changes introduced in 2021 with an additional allocation of €2m. It also prioritised projects bringing vacant and derelict buildings back into use as multipurpose community spaces.
Applications under the main stream of the 2022 Town and Village Renewal Scheme are currently undergoing assessment as part of a competitive process and I hope to be in a position to announce details of the successful applications in the coming months.
A new Building Acquisition Measure was also introduced in the 2022 scheme, which allowed local authorities to apply for up to €400,000 to purchase up to two buildings for use as multipurpose community spaces. I was delighted in July to approve the purchase of 36 derelict and vacant buildings across rural Ireland under this new intervention. This initiative will see former banks, Garda stations and courthouses being given new leases of life in towns across Ireland.
83. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the town and village renewal scheme. [53743/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Town and Village Renewal Scheme was first introduced in 2016. It is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. The Scheme is funded under Project Ireland 2040 as part of Our Rural Future.
The Scheme is targeted at towns and villages with a population of 10,000 or less. It is managed on behalf of my Department by the local authorities.
Since the launch of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme in 2016, over €113 million has been allocated to more than 1,400 projects across Ireland. Each year the priorities for the scheme are reviewed and revised as appropriate by my Department.
In 2021 a new Project Development Measure was introduced for pre-development costs (e.g. surveys) with the aim of contributing to a pipeline of significant, well developed projects that may subsequently be progressed, subject to the availability of further funding.
The 2022 Scheme was again revised to introduce a number of new measures including the Building Acquisition Measure and the Marketing Measure. In July, I approved €7.5m under the Building Acquisition Measure and in September €1.1m was approved under the Marketing Measure.
The 2022 Scheme placed particular emphasis on projects supporting bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use as multipurpose community spaces. The maximum grant under the Scheme was increased in 2021 and remained at the increased amount of €500,000 in 2022 to permit additional projects of scale to be funded.
The 2022 applications are currently under assessment and I hope to make an announcement on these before the end of the year.
84. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the proposed works for the Mell greenway, Drogheda, for which Louth County Council received €200,000 through the outdoor recreational scheme in February 2020; if the moneys are at risk of return or if the funds have been secured for 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53406/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure and for the maintenance and promotion of existing infrastructure.
In February 2020, Louth County Council was approved funding of €200,000 under ORIS to develop and enhance the Boyne Greenway. To date no funding has been drawn down on this project.
In September 2021, the Department approved a proposal by the Council to change the scope of the project, on the condition that a Project Implementation Plan would be submitted. A draft plan was submitted in January 2022 which indicated an expected completion project date of December 2022.
My officials have been in ongoing contact with Louth County Council, who have advised that further delays have been experienced with the project as it is subject to planning approval by An Bord Pleanála. The Council have also advised that the revised project will not be deliverable as approved as estimated costs have increased.
Given the issues that have arisen with the delivery of this project, I have asked my officials to engage once again with Louth County Council allowing them a further eight weeks to progress the project. If sufficient progress has not been made in this time frame my officials will engage with the Council again in relation to decommitting this funding and the possible next steps.
It will be open to Louth County Council to submit a new application under future rounds of funding once the necessary consents are in place.
85. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the progress of the town and village renewal scheme. [53399/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Town and Village Renewal Scheme is a key intervention designed to rejuvenate small rural towns and villages throughout Ireland, thus delivering on some of the key priorities contained in Our Rural Future.
Since the launch of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme in 2016, over €113 million has been allocated to more than 1,400 projects across Ireland. During these years funding of over €4m has been provided to County Meath under the Scheme providing for projects like the development of village square in Kilcloon and public realm works in Nobber.
Under Budget 2022, €17 million was allocated for the standard Town and Village Scheme, an increase of €2 million on 2021. The 2022 Scheme prioritised tackling vacancy in towns and villages, creating parks and recreational amenities, remote working and making our town and village centres more vibrant and attractive places to live and work.
It also prioritised projects that brought vacant and derelict buildings and sites back into use as multipurpose spaces. Multipurpose use includes enterprise spaces, arts, tourism, youth hubs and other community uses.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is also a key intervention under Town Centre First Policy Framework which contains a range of actions designed to achieve key objectives such as social and economic revival in towns, the provision of housing, as well as addressing challenges like vacancy and derelict buildings.
I am pleased to confirm that I have secured an additional €2m in funding under Budget 2023 for the Scheme, with €19m allocated.
86. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the roll-out of the Towns First Policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53707/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI was delighted earlier this year to launch the Town Centre First Policy with my colleagues Minister Malcolm Noonan and Minister Peter Burke.
The Town Centre First Policy represents a major cross-government initiative that aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres.
The Policy also provides a coherent framework for the delivery of significant levels of public funding aimed at rejuvenating our towns and villages. For example, this year I introduced a new Building Acquisition Measure under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, and I expect to announce allocations under the main Town and Village Scheme later this year.
The support structures to underpin the delivery of Town Centre First are also at an advanced stage. For example, the National Implementation Office has been established with the appointment of the Head of that office and the recruitment of further support staff is also well advanced. This team will drive the national implementation of many of the recommendations in the Town Centre First policy in conjunction with my Department.
This office will also coordinate the work of the Town Regeneration Officers who are being recruited across the country with funding from my Department. A key function of these Officers will be the development of Town Centre First Plans at local level. I have previously funded 26 towns across the country to develop these plans, with each plan being tailored to local needs and priorities.
I am committed to ensuring that the continued roll out of the Town Centre First policy will work to deliver on the goal of revitalising rural towns and villages as set out in Our Rural Future.
87. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on her engagement with the Department of Transport to improve rural public transport services and pilot new transport initiatives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53708/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOur Rural Future is the government's national rural development policy. It sets out an ambitious blueprint for the development of, and investment in, rural Ireland over a five-year period.
The policy was developed following extensive consultation with rural stakeholders and communities, and issues of public transport in rural areas featured strongly in those discussions. Accordingly, there is a strong focus in Our Rural Future on improving the provision of transport and other services in rural areas.
Our Rural Future Progress Reports to date have reflected substantial progress on rural transport measures such as the expansion of Local Link services, investments in greenways and active travel infrastructure, as well as other public transport upgrades to the bus fleet and train stations.
The development of the Connecting Ireland rural mobility plan will further expand the public transport network in rural areas and increase service levels.
Earlier this year, my Department also partnered with the Department of Transport to host a Rural Ideas Forum event on the topic of Public Transport and the Opportunities for Rural Ireland.
The Department of Transport is also a member of the Our Rural Future Implementation Advisory Group which meets twice yearly and supports the effective and sustainable implementation of the policy.
We will shortly begin work on developing a Work Programme for 2023, and this will include bilateral meetings with all relevant Departments, including the Department of Transport.
I am committed to ensuring that we now build on the momentum achieved in the first year of Our Rural Future, by continuing to deliver on initiatives in areas such as rural transport that deliver real benefits to rural Ireland.
88. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the Islands’ Action Plan. [53613/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Government is committed to publishing a 10 year policy on island development with associated three year action plans. Indeed the Programme for Government includes a commitment in this regard and, as Minister with responsibility for the islands, I am determined to ensure the policy is delivered.
The Government’s ambition for a national policy and action plan for the islands was set out in chapter 10 of Our Rural Future, the Action Plan for Rural Development 2021-2025, published in 2021.
The Deputy will be aware that an extensive consultation process has been completed by my Department, including meetings with island communities and relevant Government Departments and agencies. The feedback from this consultation process provided a valuable insight into the key priorities, and indeed challenges and opportunities, for our island communities.
An interdepartmental committee for the Islands was also established and its most recent meeting was held on 10 October 2022, where the initial draft was shared with committee members. The committee members were asked to review their Department’s draft input, and revert with revised actions, as well as to share their feedback, observations and overall recommendations regarding the initial draft of the policy.
I had a meeting with my officials recently to review the strategic objectives and overall direction of the policy, along with the next steps and timeline for completion.
I expect the policy and action plan to be finalised before the end of the year.
89. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the up-to-date position on the pilot scheme to support community hubs being established in rural pubs which was being run in conjunction with an organisation (details supplied) in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53777/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with a commitment in Our Rural Future, I have allocated funding of €50,000 to the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) to support a “Pubs as Community Hubs” pilot programme. The initiative is funded under my Department's CLÁR Programme.
Family-run pubs have served local communities for generations. Falling demand, changes in drinking patterns and cost pressures pose real challenges to these businesses, which are often at the very heart of rural communities This Government wants to support rural publicans to re-imagine a new sustainable future for such pubs.
Rural pubs offer real value to local communities, especially as important meeting places. They also have a key role to play in tackling rural isolation. This initiative is focused on ensuring the viability of these important community assets, while at the same time aims to identify opportunities to enhance their use by the local community.
I am delighted that real progress is being made. Specific public houses have signed up to partake in the pilot. These are located right across rural Ireland in Bawnboy, Co. Cavan, in Moyasta, Co. Clare, in Kilclooney, Portnoo, Co. Donegal and finally in Drinagh, Co. Cork.
They will serve as exemplars to rural pubs the length and breadth of the country and each will approach the community hub aspect from different angles- creating a learning template from which others can follow.
The pilot is set to run in to next year, with a review expected to be undertaken in late 2023, before any decision is taken in respect of the next steps.
90. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the degree to which she continues to fund infrastructure throughout the country in such a way as to encourage the retention of jobs and the attraction of investors in jobs throughout the regions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53769/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's mission is to support vibrant and sustainable communities, and in doing so, to deliver on a wide range of strategic interventions, funding programmes and policies to support the development of urban and rural communities throughout the country.
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, infrastructure development, facilitates new working opportunities, and fosters regional enterprise growth through programmes such as the following:
- The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns and villages and rural areas across Ireland. To date, 191 projects have been approved for funding of €279 million for projects costing €379 million.
- Connected Hubs funding supports the development of remote working facilities as part of the National Connected Hubs Network.
- The €70 million transitional LEADER Programme that came into effect in April 2021 provides targeted support for rural development, including direct enterprise support.
- 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 new Community Centre Investment Fund will support community centres in both rural and urban settings.
- The CLÁR programme is a targeted investment programme which provides funding for small-scale infrastructural projects in some of our most remote rural areas.
All of these investment measures, provided as part of "Our Rural Future", are contributing to the development of our regions.
91. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the enhanced Community Centres Investment Fund for the delivery of new build community centres, promised under Budget 2023, will be open for applications; the amount of funding that will be allocated for the building of new community centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53791/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is aware of the challenges facing community and voluntary organisations and as a result, 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.
This builds on the €15 million which was announced under the fund in 2022. The huge interest in this fund shows how important community centres are for communities throughout Ireland. This Government is committed to providing funding to improve and upgrade these centres which will allow them to continue to provide services for communities to come together.
To date I have announced over €12.5 million for almost 600 projects under category 1 of the 2022 fund and I expect to announce further details of successful projects under Category 2 and 3 in the near future.
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.
92. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will report on the progress of establishing town teams under the Town Centres First Initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53868/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Town Centre First Policy is a major cross-government policy that aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres. The policy sets out a framework to facilitate and resource each town to chart their own future through a tailored plan, developed by a collaborative Town Team, and supported by their local authority.
Key to this is the establishment of the National Implementation Office to assist in the delivery and implementation of the policy, and to co-ordinate stakeholder engagement at a national level. It is also responsible for supporting Town Regeneration Officers, or TROs, in driving implementation of the policy.
The head of the National Implementation Office has been appointed and recruitment of support staff is ongoing. Similarly, local authorities have now also begun appointing TROs who will drive the development of Town Centre First (TCF) Plans at a local level. This TCF Plan will be driven by the local community and businesses as part of a Town Team who will be supported by newly appointed Town Regeneration Officers and technical expertise within each local authority.
26 towns have been chosen initially to develop these plans, with each being funded by my Department. The plans should be tailored to the needs of each town in addressing vacancy and dereliction and in making them better places to live, work, visit and do business.
The TRO will be responsible for guiding and supporting the establishment and operation of Town Teams through the TCF process and capacity building programmes to increase the skills and capabilities of Town Teams and enable them to deliver effectively.
A number of towns across the country have already put in place structures similar to the town team model. The TROs are now engaging in towns across the country to assist the process of establishing effective town teams.
I am committed to ensuring that the continued roll out of the Town Centre First policy will work to deliver on the goal of revitalising rural towns and villages as set out in Our Rural Future.
93. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on her Department’s progress in implementing Action 128 of the Mid-Term Review of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 to develop initiatives to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities living in rural areas, including through remote working options; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53855/22]
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 the potential of remote working hubs as key economic assets for our rural towns and villages.
My Department operates a number of funding schemes that focus on projects supporting remote working through the development of digital hubs, including the development of Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) as long-term, digitally-enabled community assets.
In May 2021, I launched the Connected Hubs network together with the connectedhubs.ie platform. The Network includes a range of digital hubs catering for a wide variety of remote and co-working needs. The Connected Hubs platform offers a suite of booking, hub management and e-commerce applications to members of the Network. The Network also facilitates the sharing of innovation, experience and best practices across the community. These supports serve to maximise benefit to member hubs, hub clients, employers, local communities and the wider economy. To date, approximately 295 hubs have joined the Connected Hubs Network. It is expected that, in time, the network and the platform will include more than 400 facilities.
In March 2021, the National Disability Authority (NDA) published their assessment report for progress made on actions under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017 – 2021 for 2020. This report emphasises the importance of persons with disabilities being considered as part of any recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. The National Connected Hubs network is a key part of our plans to make remote working a reality for thousands of people post COVID-19. To this end, disability access upgrades were explicitly included as one of the eligible criteria under my Department’s Connected Hubs Call in 2021 and 2022.
Between 2021 and 2022, I awarded approximately €14 million in funding to almost 200 projects via Connected Hubs funding, enabling successful applicants to add additional capacity to existing remote working infrastructure in digital hubs and BCPs throughout the country. This included, for example, an allocation of over €40,000 to The Impact Hub in the Crann Centre - a purpose designed, inclusive co-working hub in County Cork.
The development of a national hubs network is a key commitment in Our Rural Future and I am committed to continuing my Department's support for the development of remote working hubs in recognition of the vital role that they can play in our post-COVID recovery. This will include the exploration of all opportunities for further development of the Connected Hubs Network, including the ongoing provision of funding for disability facilities.
94. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the long-term plans for the Drogheda library; if larger alternate sites are currently being considered for a future service provision; if so, if she will identify the potential premises earmarked in the town; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53407/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of library services, including the provision of library buildings, is primarily a matter for local authorities in their capacity as library authorities under the Local Government Act 2001. Accordingly, the long-term plans for the public library service in Drogheda are first and foremost a matter for Louth County Council.
I am aware that Louth County Council provide a full time library service in Drogheda that has recently seen a 12% increase in its staffed opening hours, increasing to 51 hours per week. The past number of years has been a hugely positive time for Drogheda Library with considerable investment, numerous new initiatives, services and infrastructural upgrades taking place. The My Open Library service was officially launched in Drogheda Library earlier this month which will allow members to access the library on a self-service basis from 8am-10pm, seven days a week. My department has supported the delivery of this service by providing funding of €152,065.74.
I have been informed by Louth County Council that there are no plans at this point to relocate Drogheda Library from its Stockwell Street premises.
95. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will detail some of the successes of the social inclusion and community activation programme since its creation; the impact that the funding increase to €46 million in Budget 2023 will have; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53102/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), is our country’s primary social inclusion programme. The current iteration began on 1 January 2018 and will run until the end of 2023. My officials have begun the process of developing a new iteration of SICAP which will begin in 2024. The programme 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 funding for SICAP is subject to the annual budgetary estimates process and I was delighted to secure funding in Budget 2023 for the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) increasing from €44 million to €46 million in 2023.
Earlier this year, an additional €5 million funding was announced to support the Local Development Companies, through SICAP, for the community response to support people arriving from Ukraine. An additional €10 million is also being provided under SICAP in 2023 to allow Local Development Companies to continue their work to support arrivals from the Ukraine
As outlined in the 2021 Annual Report which is available at this link: www.pobal.ie/app/uploads/2022/07/SICAP-2021-Annual-Report.pdf.
- Over 10,000 people have participated in Training courses, apprenticeships or work experience.
- €336,988 was allocated to Local Community Groups though grants in 2021 and also the SICAP programme supported 501 Social Enterprises.
|
SICAP 2018-2021 Outputs Individuals supported |
86,460 individuals supported since 2018 |
|
Local Community Groups supported |
4,844 LCGs supported since 2018 |
|
Social Enterprises supported |
815 SEs supported since 2018 |
|
Progression into employment |
7,109 people have progressed into employment since 2018 |
|
Progression into self-employment |
9,255 people have set up their own businesses to date |
|
Lifelong learning participation |
42,538 individuals have taken part in a lifelong learning activity since 2018 |
I was delighted that the SICAP programme won the prestigious 2022 UN Public Services Award, in the category ‘Institutional Resilience and Innovative Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic’. The success of SICAP was recognised internationally for its immense work, particularly over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.
I recognise the vital work the programme does in helping so many individuals and groups, by improving the life chances of those who are marginalised in society, living in poverty or unemployed, and I will continue to prioritise funding for SICAP within my Department’s overall voted expenditure.
96. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the details of the way that her Department's Budget 2023 measures will benefit persons living in rural areas in dealing with the cost-of-living crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53595/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra107. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the way in which her Department’s Budget 2023 measures will benefit persons living in rural areas in dealing with the cost-of-living crisis. [53865/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 107 together.
I am acutely aware of the increase in the cost of living in recent months, especially increasing energy prices. Given this, the supports provided by my Department are more important than ever.
Budget 2023 provides a 4% increase in my Departments allocation, which will deliver significant support for rural and community development next year. Funding of €393 million has been made available, with €201 million for rural development, €187 million for community development, and €5 million for the Charities Regulatory Authority.
The investment in rural development is mainly focussed on capital projects, which will help support the economic growth and resilience of rural economies.
Budget 2023 provides significant supports for communities groups, including a further €20 million to support community groups impacted by the rising cost of living, with €10 million of this targeted at assisting with energy costs. The framework for delivering this assistance is currently being developed by my Department to ensure access to support in a timely manner. Full scheme details, including application timeframes and eligibility criteria, will be announced shortly.
Other supports for community groups include the Community Enhancement Programme and the Community Services Programme.
The Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) provides funding to community groups and organisations across Ireland, with a focus on areas of disadvantage. The programme is administered by the Local Community Development Committees (LCDC) on the basis of local need. The details of the 2022 fund and the allocations available are currently being developed by officials within my Department and further details will be announced in due course.
Under Budget 2023 funding for the Community Services Programme will increase by €3.5 million, to over €52 million in 2023. This will help ensure that organisations providing community services are funded on a more sustainable basis and that these important services continue to be provided throughout the country.
My Department continues to engage with rural and urban stakeholders to identify issues impacting on communities and respond to emerging needs, and I am confident the funding supports being provided will continue to deliver tangible benefits for all communities.
97. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department has conducted any examination or reviews into the benefits of the community wealth-building model as a template for rural and community development. [53840/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra125. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department is working with any county councils to develop the economic model of community wealth-building which has been successful in Ayrshire, Scotland and Preston, England. [53839/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 125 together.
My Department has not deliberated on introducing the community wealth-building systems approach to economic development, and has not engaged with any county councils in relation to developing a model of community-wealth building.
My Department is progressing a number of national policies that provide, for both urban and rural areas nationwide, an integrated and strategic way of delivering supports, programmes and schemes, and coordinating measures to address imbalances or lack of opportunity so as to make a real difference to people’s lives. These include the National Policy on Social Enterprise, and the Strategy to Support the Community & Voluntary Sector in Ireland.
The national rural development policy "Our Rural Future" sets out a blueprint for the development of rural Ireland over the period 2021-2025. The policy is supported by over 150 commitments across Government, which will address the challenges facing communities and deliver new opportunities for people living in rural areas.
The policy recognises the importance of place-based development and will be underpinned by investment across Government in areas such as the roll out of high-speed broadband, remote working facilities, job creation, town centre regeneration, community development, improvements in regional and local roads, new cycling and walking infrastructure, expanded rural transport services, funding for tourism, culture and heritage projects, and a just transition to a climate-neutral society.
Ongoing dialogue is maintained by my Department with rural and urban stakeholders in order to identify and respond to issues impacting on individuals and communities. I continue to work collaboratively with my Government colleagues to monitor the issues which impact our urban and rural communities and to support the creation of vibrant and sustainable communities across this country.
98. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the work of the Broadband Mobile Phone Task Force, particularly the work being that is being carried out to provide alternatives for persons who have been waiting for a broadband connection for up to five years under the plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53089/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce was re-established in December 2021 with an inaugural meeting co-chaired by myself and Minister of State Ossian Smyth TD, involving participation from all key State stakeholders. In April 2022 we held a full meeting of the Taskforce with both State and Industry representatives. After this meeting the Terms of Reference and Work Programme for 2022-2023 were agreed and published on gov.ie.
The actions in the Work Programme relate to improving mobile phone coverage in rural areas, examining issues around planning permissions and licensing for, and sharing of, telecoms infrastructure, the use of public assets for telecoms purposes and improving the quality and availability of information for consumers of telecoms services and products.
The Taskforce will meet biannually and will meet again in Quarter 4 of 2022. Each action holder will be required to a provide progress reports on the status of their actions and set out the next steps required to ensure their actions are achieved on schedule.
It should be noted that the Taskforce is not responsible for the delivery of the National Broadband Plan (NBP). However, the Taskforce is responsible for ensuring that, where barriers within the state’s control are identified, a clear assessment is made and that action is taken. This will benefit the roll out of the NBP and also support the deployment of high quality networks by other operators across the state providing fixed and mobile data and telephony services.
Separately to the work of Taskforce, Our Rural Future, Ireland’s Rural Development Policy 2021-2025, recognises the opportunity for rural rejuvenation that remote working presents and commits to establishing a comprehensive and integrated network of remote working hubs over the lifetime of the policy to 2025.
In furtherance of this commitment, my Department continues to focus on adding capacity across the country including via a range of schemes including the development of Public Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) as long-term, digitally-enabled community assets.
To date my Department has invested some €100m in the development of remote working facilities across a range of schemes. These schemes include the Connected Hubs Fund, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the new Building Acquisition Measures. One of the goals of these facilities and developments is to assist those living in areas that are waiting to receive a broadband connection in their homes as the NBP continues its rollout.
99. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her intended timeframe to implement an effective rural proofing model. [53599/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOur Rural Future is the most ambitious and transformational policy for rural development in Ireland for decades.
The policy contains more than 150 measures for delivery across the whole of Government, with the underlying theme of economic, environmental and societal sustainability.
The policy has a vision of ensuring vibrant and thriving rural towns and villages, with a key objective to maximise opportunities for individuals, communities and businesses in rural areas. It recognises that rural areas play an integral role in the economic, social and cultural recovery and well-being of the country.
The policy commits to developing an effective rural proofing model within the lifetime of the policy. This will aim to ensure that all departments fully consider the effects of new proposals on rural communities and the need to better target the particular challenges and opportunities facing rural areas.
Following a competitive tender process, my Department engaged independent consultants to fully examine the issue of rural proofing in Ireland in order to provide a strong evidence basis for further action. Their work included consideration of rural proofing initiatives internationally so as to inform our approach based on the experiences of others.
My Department also recently hosted the 13th OECD International Rural Development Conference, in collaboration with our OECD partners. This event provided a further valuable insight into how the challenge of rural proofing is being addresses in other countries.
To develop a rural proofing model that is effective, it must be seen as a valuable tool to support the objectives of multiple government Departments and not just the Department responsible for rural development. It must be focused on delivering positive outcomes for rural communities and the achievement of Government objectives.
It is planned to pilot a new model of rural proofing that will move away from the traditional view of being solely about addressing disadvantage and exclusion in rural areas, to one that views rural proofing as an aid to support good policy making and to identify how rural areas can contribute to the achievement of policy objectives and priorities across Government.
My Department is now in consultation with a number of Government Departments to take part in piloting this new approach. It is important that this pilot approach provides clear insights and lessons to underpin the development of a model that is effective and implementable.
My overarching objective is to ensure that we can deliver an effective, efficient and implementable rural proofing model that will support rural development and ensure that we maximise the opportunities for rural areas to the greatest extent possible.
100. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the work that her Department has undertaken to provide a short-term solution regarding Céibh an Chaladh Mór on Inis Meáin; if she will provide an update on stage three of the development of this pier; if she will meet with stakeholders in relation to these issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53283/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra108. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 668 of 14 September 2022, if she will provide an update on the development of Caladh Mór on Inis Meáin; the status of the development of the model simulation of the harbour by the National Maritime College of Ireland; if the data has been compiled to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53794/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 108 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, responsibility for the maintenance and development of pier infrastructure on Inis Meáin lies with Galway County Council.
Galway County Council is responsible for the development of stage 3 of Caladh Mór Pier on Inis Meáin, which is included in the National Development Plan.
Officials from my Department meet with members of Galway County Council on a regular basis to receive updates on the progress of the development.
As part of the preparatory works, the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) was requested by Galway County Council to develop a model simulation for the harbour. This has been completed, and a full demonstration took place in mid-September, with the skippers of the key relevant vessels in attendance.
That data has now been compiled, along with the feedback received from the vessel operators who participated. It is my understanding that Galway County Council will soon start preparing a draft business case, based on the findings and data from the model simulation, to be presented to officials from my department.
Following on from this, my Department will be in a position to evaluate the next steps in the process.
In relation to meeting with stakeholders, officials from my Department would be available to attend any meeting that is arranged between island stakeholders and the relevant Local Authority to discuss the issues raised by the Deputy. Requests for such meetings should be addressed directly to Galway County Council.
