Holly Cairns
Ceist:19. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her views on increasing the annual funding for the LEADER programme. [8586/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartmental Programmes
Ceisteanna (19)
Freagraí scríofa
The LEADER programme is a key intervention implemented by my Department, which will help to underpin the Government's rural development goals as outlined in Our Rural Future. It forms part of Ireland's €10bn Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan.
Funding for the LEADER Programme is provided for the duration of the period rather than on an annual basis to allow more flexibility to the Local Action Groups to manage the programme budget in their areas of operation.
€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. This level of funding is evidence of the Government’s continued support for the LEADER programme, and matches the €250m provided for LEADER in the corresponding 7 year period from 2014-2020.
It is important to recognise that LEADER is a multi-annual programme and that payments in respect of projects which are approved in any given year are generally not drawn down until subsequent years, as projects are completed and payment claims are submitted. Therefore, costs related to projects approved and completed are met from the provision in my Department’s Vote on an annual basis.
I also provided additional Exchequer funding for LEADER Groups administration costs in 2022 where they had exhausted their original funding, and I have confirmed that this funding is available again in 2023 as required.
I am confident that the level of funding allocated for the 2021-2027 programming period is sufficient to meet the demand for grant funding from rural communities and businesses and to continue the effective operation of the LEADER programme.
Rural Schemes
Ceisteanna (20)
Aindrias Moynihan
Ceist:20. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding drawn down to date for a project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9223/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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, 215 projects have been approved for funding of €395 million for projects costing €542 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 smaller grant funding to enable the development of project proposals suitable for future calls for Category 1 applications.The Coláiste Íosagáin Campus project was approved funding of €180,000 from the first call for Category 2 applications in 2019. This project will complete a master plan for the Coláiste Íosagáin Campus which will set out the economic, planning and environmental case for the re-purposing of the building structure and the surrounding area.
Based on progress reports submitted to my Department by the lead party, Údarás na Gaeltachta, I understand that work on this project has been progressing well. The Community Engagement Partners have been preparing the economic and business case for the project and the report will be finalised in Quarter 2 of 2023. A Partner Advisory Group is currently being established to advise on the direction of the project.
RRDF funding of €44,052 has been drawn down for the project to date and the lead party is expecting the remainder of the RRDF funding to be drawn down by the end of 2023.
Departmental Policies
Ceisteanna (21)
David Stanton
Ceist:21. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the way her Department encourages and supports the development of community representative organisations, especially in areas where none currently exist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9019/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In 2019, my Department launched Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities, the Strategy to support the community and voluntary sector in Ireland. The Strategy seeks to create a vibrant and active civil society, developing opportunities for all communities to contribute, engage and participate in decision-making and policy implementation.
As part of the strategy implementation, in November 2022 my Department held the first Civic Forum. The Forum, attended by over 100 representatives from national and local government as well as a wide representation from across the community and voluntary sectors, provides a space for formal engagement between the state and the community and voluntary sector.
Another initiative under the Strategy, a new resource guide, 'A Guide for Inclusive Community Engagement in Local Planning and Decision Making' was launched earlier this month. The Guide is aimed at ensuring that marginalised and disadvantaged communities have opportunities to engage and participate in local planning and decision-making.
The Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO), funded and overseen by my Department, also plays a significant role in Government’s support to our national community and voluntary organisations.
In addition, my Department provides funding to the members of the Community and Voluntary Pillar to engage in dialogue and policy formation. The Pillar is a seventeen member group representing community and voluntary organisations, which contribute to the social dialogue process.
My Department also has overall responsibility for the funding, governance oversight and development of Public Participation Networks (PPNs). The focus of the PPN is to empower and assist volunteer-led community representative groups to participate in local authority policymaking and decision-making. This gives local community groups a greater say in local government decisions which affect their own communities.
Rural Schemes
Ceisteanna (22)
Brian Stanley
Ceist:22. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the steps being taken to implement a community wealth building strategy in rural Ireland similar to that of Preston City Council and Ayrshire County Council. [8945/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) was established in July 2017 to provide a renewed and consolidated focus on rural and community development in Ireland.
While my Department has not deliberated on introducing the community wealth building systems approach to economic development, it is continuing to progress a number of national policies of relevance. Those policies provide an integrated and strategic way of delivering supports, programmes and schemes, and coordinating measures to address imbalances or lack of opportunity, making 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 which was launched in 2021, sets out a blueprint for the development of rural Ireland over the next five years. The policy is supported by 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.
Flexible Work Practices
Ceisteanna (23)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Ceist:23. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will give an update on the work being carried out on remote working hubs and broadband connection points; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8153/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Our Rural Future, Ireland’s Rural Development Policy, recognises the opportunity for rural rejuvenation that remote working and digital access presents and commits to establishing an integrated national network of 400 remote working hubs by 2025. I am pleased to say that we are well on our way to meeting this commitment. There are now 310 hubs on-boarded to the connectedhubs.ie platform and this number is growing all the time.
The Broadband Connection Points (BCP) project is also progressing well, with 290 of 300 sites now live and in use. The remaining 10 sites will be connected before the end of Quarter 2 of this year.
BCPs are publicly accessible facilities, typically community centres and sports clubs, in rural and isolated areas including on some of our islands.
Over €150m has been invested by my department in the development of remote working facilities and BCPs through programmes such as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, Connected Hubs Call and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.
I am committed to ensuring that these vital investments in digital connectivity can continue to underpin delivery of the objectives of Our Rural Future.
Departmental Schemes
Ceisteanna (24)
Cathal Crowe
Ceist:24. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the works on a building (details supplied) in Kilrush, to be funded by the building acquisition measure of the town and village renewal scheme. [9042/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme was introduced in 2016 and is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. The 2022 Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) prioritised projects that bring vacant and derelict buildings back into use and promote residential occupancy in town centres.
In recognition of the urgent need to transform and regenerate town centres I introduced a new Building Acquisition Measure (BAM) under the 2022 Scheme. The purpose of this measure was to support local authorities to immediately acquire derelict or vacant buildings, with the intention of using these projects for town regeneration purposes in line with the aims of TVRS.
Clare County Council were approved funding under this measure to purchase the building referred to by the Deputy with the intention of further developing it into an urban renewal educational research training facility.
All funding associated with buildings purchases under the 2022 BAM, including the building referred to by the Deputy, were successfully drawn down by year end 2022.
The property funded under BAM must form the basis of an application under a future TVRS call or be developed for town regeneration purposes via the local authorities' own resources or another funding stream by the end of 2024.
I am committed to ensuring that initiatives such as the Building Acquisition Measure continue to underpin the delivery of the objectives set out in Our Rural Future.
Official Engagements
Ceisteanna (25)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:25. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will report on her recent attendance at the Future Forum on Rural Development in Berlin. [8424/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Future Forum on Rural Development took place in Berlin on January 25-26. It is the largest national annual rural development conference in Germany, which each year features a partnership with another European country. I was delighted to accept the invitation for Ireland to be this year's partner.
The conference this year was aligned with Green Week in Berlin and thus had a climate theme. My Department hosted a panel discussion on Empowering Communities to Realise Their Climate Potential, which allowed Irish policymakers and practitioners to share their hugely powerful experiences. I also addressed the opening plenary session alongside German Federal Minister for Food, Agriculture and Rural Development Cem Ozdemir and Federal Minister for the Environment Steffi Lemke.
I was happy to share with colleagues the details of Our Rural Future and the ways in which we are enabling rural communities to develop their own pathways to a sustainable economic and environmental future, building on the extremely positive standing in which the policy, and Ireland's rural development investments and initiatives, are held internationally.
In addition to meeting with the German Federal Ministers, during my visit I was also able to hold very positive meetings with the chair of the Bundestag Committee on Food and Agriculture, Hermann Farber, and with the chair of the Bundestag Committee on Housing, Urban Development, Building and Local Government, Sandra Weeser.
During these meetings I discussed issues of mutual interest between Ireland and Germany, including addressing the cost of living crisis, opportunities arising from remote working and the digital transition, access to services, social cohesion in rural areas, and community participation.
Departmental Schemes
Ceisteanna (26, 56)
Brian Leddin
Ceist:26. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will report on the outcomes of the pilot bike and e-bike upcycling initiative; her plans to bring additional organisations into the initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9229/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraBrian Leddin
Ceist:56. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the proactive steps her Department is taking to work with the Department of Transport to explore and realise the potential of e-bikes for rural communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9230/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 56 together.
On 28 April 2021, my department, in collaboration with the Department of Transport, announced the introduction of a three-year pilot initiative to develop a scheme for the provision of high quality up-cycled bicycles and e-bikes as an alternative to the Cycle to Work Scheme model, for those on low incomes and/or those who are most marginalised and disadvantaged.
A call for applications was launched in May 2021, with funding of €1 million per annum (€3m in total) being provided by the Department of Transport for this initiative, with the funding being made available through my department's Community Services Programme.
Organisations eligible to apply under the pilot were those supported under CSP or alternatively in a Partnership/Consortium of which at least one member was an existing CSP supported organisation.
Out of the fourteen applications received under the pilot initiative, five applications met the qualifying threshold under the eligibility and award criteria. The five applicants approved for support under this pilot initiative are:
- The Rediscovery Centre & Rothar Velo in Dublin 9.
- Frontline Bikes/ Frontline Make Change in Dublin 8.
- Treo Port Lairge CLG (aka Renew Enterprises) in Waterford.
- The Life Cycle Consortium in Galway – Westside Resource Centre and An Mheitheal Rothar.
- Sign & Cycle in Cork – Cork Community Cycles & Deaf Enterprises
Four of the applicants are in contract since 22nd July 2021 with the final contract issued on 1st October 2022. Both departments have recently approved some budgetary amendments with funding of €1,089,504.14 issued to the applicants up to end December 2022.
There were 17 CSP-supported employees reported across the 5 organisations with outputs outlined below:
- 433 Bicycles Upcycled - 49 of these have been redirected to relevant end users (those on low incomes, disadvantaged individuals/communities, and those in direct provision or similar).
- A total of 4 individuals have been certified as qualified bike mechanics/trainers through the programme.
- A total of 10 Training modules have been delivered.
- 6 public bike mechanic / maintenance courses were delivered.
- 1 Individual has been offered employment in other organisations following training.
Should additional funding be made available for this purpose by the Department of Transport, consideration will be given to extending this initiative. However, any further iteration or extension of the scheme will be dependent on the outcomes- of an interim evaluation of the five approved projects which will be carried out in 2023. My department continues to liaise with the Department of Transport on this matter.
Library Services
Ceisteanna (27)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Ceist:27. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the steps she is taking to address the growing challenges libraries face in affording e-books and the increasingly restrictive terms applied by publishers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9275/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The provision of library services, including the provision of eBooks, is primarily a matter for local authorities in their capacity as library authorities under the Local Government Act 2001. However, my department has provided funding to support the provision of eBooks and eAudiobooks in public libraries. Funding of €168,000 was provided for this purpose in 2018, and further amounts of €400,000, and €746,650 were provided in 2020 and 2022 respectively in response to the increased demand for eBooks and eAudiobooks arising from the Covid pandemic.
I am aware of the issue regarding the restrictive terms that are being applied by publishers to the licensing of eBooks for both the public libraries and academic libraries.
My department is working in conjunction with the Libraries Development Unit in the LGMA (Local Government Management Agency) and representatives of the Library Association of Ireland, to seek a resolution to this issue. Officials from my department have engaged with representative bodies at a European level to bring the issue to the attention of the European Commission. Meetings have also taken place with officials from the Irish Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) and I understand that the CCPC are currently examining the matter. My Department will continue to engage with all relevant stakeholders.
Departmental Programmes
Ceisteanna (28)
Paul McAuliffe
Ceist:28. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to increase funding for the social inclusion and community activation programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9240/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), is our country’s primary social inclusion programme. It 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. I was delighted to have secured a 10% increase for SICAP for 2022, the largest increase since the programme was launched. This year, I secured an increase of €1.3 million under Budget 2023, increasing the annual funding from €43 million to €44.3 million.
In 2022, 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.
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.
National Broadband Plan
Ceisteanna (29)
Denis Naughten
Ceist:29. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the high-speed internet hubs announced under the National Broadband Plan will be delivered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2039/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Through the Broadband Connection Points (BCP) Initiative my department will establish 300 digitally-enabled community hubs. These hubs are based in community centres, GAA clubs and tourist sites across the country and are centres of community life. These BCPs will each have different offerings, some with a focus on remote work while others focused on education programmes and digital skills training. There are currently 290 BCPs live and in use.
The current focus of the Public BCP project is to complete the rollout of the 300 sites which are already within the project plan. When completed, the Public BCP network will have a presence in every county in the State and in some of our most rural and isolated communities, including many off-shore islands.
In the coming months, in consultation with Public BCP stakeholders, my officials will draft a development strategy for the Public BCP Network. This strategy will set out a number of ambitions and opportunities and will guide decisions on future supports, partnerships and the scope to improve and broaden services. Among the items for consideration will be the issue of inviting additional premises that have access to high-speed broadband, into the Public BCP network.
There are a number of pilot programmes currently underway, or recently completed, that explore the potential for Public BCPs to provide additional public benefit. Among these are programmes related to remote working, arts and culture, eHealth and education and training. A number of these programmes have been provided with additional support to ensure they continue past the pilot stage, including coding for primary school children, painting classes and eHealth pods offering remote access to medical appointments.
I am confident that the network of BCPs can continue to be developed in a manner that supports the overall objectives of Our Rural Future.
Departmental Schemes
Ceisteanna (30)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Ceist:30. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will outline the mechanism open to local authorities who wish to provide seating and viewpoints on mountains enjoyed by walkers such as the Cooley Mountains in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8154/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) is funded by my Department under Our Rural Future. The Scheme is central to Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, the new National Outdoor Recreation Strategy which is set to shape the future of outdoor recreation over the next five years.
ORIS provides funding for the development and enhancement of outdoor recreational infrastructure such as trails, walkways, cycleways, blueways and bridleways in rural areas. Since the launch of the Scheme, funding in excess of €106 million has been approved, supporting more than 1,500 projects across Ireland. Last year, I approved projects to the value of almost €20 million under the Scheme.
The 2022 Scheme provided funding as follows:
- Small scale repair/development/promotion and marketing (up to €30,000)
- Medium scale upgrade and new trail/amenity development (up to €200,000)
- Large scale repair/upgrade and new strategic trail/amenity development (up to €500,000)
- Project development costs for strategic medium/large scale projects (up to €50,000)
The upgrade of trails and the provision of seating and viewpoints on mountain walks are eligible under the Scheme. The 2023 Scheme is currently being reviewed and I expect to launch it later this year with a budget of some €16 million.
In addition, my Department also administers the Walks Scheme. This Scheme facilitates the development and maintenance of many of Ireland’s walking trails. One such trail is the Táin Way, located on the Cooley Mountains. The Walks Scheme is managed at a local level on behalf of my Department by Louth LEADER Partnership. Funding is also available through this scheme to provide maintenance and furniture for The Táin Way.
Departmental Schemes
Ceisteanna (31)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Ceist:31. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the public realm improvements scheme for the enhancement of the River Barrow in Bagenalstown, County Carlow, due to be completed under the town and village renewal scheme. [9022/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) was introduced in 2016 and is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland.
The Scheme is administered through local authorities, who work closely with local communities and businesses to develop proposals that can make a lasting impact in revitalising rural towns and villages across the country.
Since the launch of the Scheme in 2016, almost €149 million has been allocated to more than 1,600 projects across Ireland. The total allocation for projects in Carlow from 2016 to 2022 is more than €6m.
I can confirm an application for funding was submitted by Carlow County Council to my Department for Bagenalstown under the 2022 Town and Village Renewal Scheme. Funding of €500,000 was allocated to this project for the development of a multi-purpose space and the enhancement of the River Barrow for the community of Bagenalstown.
Carlow County Council has until 31 August 2024 to have works under the scheme completed.
Departmental Correspondence
Ceisteanna (32)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:32. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she has received correspondence for representatives of the agricultural sector related to a recent EPA report (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8425/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can confirm to the Deputy that I have not received correspondence from representatives of the agricultural sector in relation to the matter raised which is primarily an issue for my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Departmental Policies
Ceisteanna (33)
Claire Kerrane
Ceist:33. 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. [8976/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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. It supports the Our Rural Future vision for a thriving rural Ireland which is integral to our national economic, social, cultural and environmental well-being and development.
My Department co-chairs the National Oversight and Advisory Group for the policy with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This Group serves to oversees delivery of the policy and ensures there is clear stakeholder visibility in relation to implementation. The Group met for the first time in December and is due to meet again shortly.
The establishment of the National Implementation Office is key to the success of the policy. The Office supports Town Regeneration Officers in driving implementation at a local level and coordinates stakeholder engagement. This structure has now been put in place within the Local Government Management Association.
As well as providing policy leadership, my Department is supporting the development of Town Centre First Plans under the policy. I approved funding of €2.6m in December 2021 for an initial phase of 26 towns across the country. These initial plans are due for completion in June this year and I expect to announce a further call for towns to develop their Town Centre First Plan later this year.
Central to the Town Centre First approach is the range of support funding in place, including my Department’s Town and Village Renewal Scheme. Last December, I announced €27 million in funding to combat dereliction and breathe new life into rural towns and villages under the 2022 Scheme.
In addition, last November I announced funding of €115m for regeneration projects across rural towns under my Department's Rural Regeneration and Development Fund for 2023. These projects focus on combating vacancy and dereliction by regenerating iconic town centre buildings such as old hotels, banks, schools, and courthouses and are thus central to the Town Centre First approach.
My Department remains committed to the success of the Town Centre First policy to deliver on the goal of revitalising rural towns and villages as set out in Our Rural Future.