Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 September 2023
92. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will outline the engagement her Department has had with other Departments, agencies and local authorities in relation to delivering schemes to facilitate capital projects such as sports and community facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41340/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department takes a whole-of-government approach to the development and delivery of our own policy remit and also in supporting the work of other organisations. This is a key element not just of national policies but also in the achievement of sectoral strategies, for example the rural development policy, Our Rural Future, and our Community Development policy Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities, a five-year strategy to support the community and voluntary sector.
The work of my Department is underpinned by broad consultation with a wide range of stakeholders including Government Departments, Local Authorities and State Agencies. This includes regular engagement with Local Authorities through their representation on the Cross-Sectoral Group on Local and Community Development, who oversee implementation of Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities. This engagement process provides important insights into issues impacting on rural and urban communities.
My Department also has statutory responsibility for the local and community development governance structures introduced on foot of the local government reform process, namely the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), the Public Participation Networks (PPNs) and Local Economic and Community Plans (LECPs). As a result, my Department has ongoing interaction with all of these stakeholders to support their work and the work of Local Authorities in the context of community development and social inclusion.
The funding schemes operated by my Department that support capital projects, including community facilities, are informed by this engagement across Government and with community groups. Schemes such as LEADER, CLÁR, and Town and Village Renewal have provided very significant funding in recent years, and more recently the Community Centre Investment Fund has very much been informed by local needs.
In addition, many Government Departments and state agencies are delivering a range of capital projects and schemes under Our Rural Future. My officials engage regularly with these Departments and agencies to monitor and report progress. A particular example would be the recent publication of the National Outdoor Recreation Strategy, which demonstrates our whole of Government approach to areas which many Departments work on given the multiple benefits of such investment. My Department will continue to collaborate with stakeholders including Government Departments, Local Authorities and state agencies to identify and address issues which impact our urban and rural communities.
