Tuesday, 21 Nov 2023

Written Answers Nos. 584-605

Patient Files

Ceisteanna (584)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Ceist:

584. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the release on social media of videos that show patients' medical records and files stored in unsecured premises at a hospital (details supplied); to confirm that none of the medical records that are being stored there have been stolen or removed after the recent intrusion; what security measures the hospital has deployed at the site where the records were held to protect the medical records; the procedures needed for storing patient medical records; if Letterkenny University Hospital has an inventory of all the medical records that have been stored there; and if the hospital has plans to upgrade security or plans to move the files stored there to a more secure facility. [51116/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Officials in my Department have been in contact with HSE who advised that historical patient files which date back several decades and which were stored in a locked facility in a HSE building was illegally accessed. Gardaí have been alerted to this incident and spent a number of hours at the scene and are now investigating the incident.

The building was reviewed by local HSE management on Tuesday morning, 14th November, and additional measures were fitted to further secure the building.

This incident has also been reported to the Data Protection Commissioner in accordance with legislation.

In parallel, a review of the requirement to continue to store historical records in line with HSE policy on record retention periods will be completed as soon as possible.

And as this is also a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (585)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

585. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health where a person (details supplied) presents as homeless but is suffering from mental health difficulties, what supports are immediately available in south Tipperary to avoid possible harm to oneself; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51122/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday, 6 October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.

Primary Care Centres

Ceisteanna (586)

Patrick Costello

Ceist:

586. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health if he or his officials will meet with local residents’ groups in Drimnagh to discuss the timeline for construction of the new primary health centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51166/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Primary Care Centres (PCCs) play an essential role in achieving that objective and significant progress has been made in the delivery of PCCs nationally.

The Drimnagh Primary Care Centre will be located on the existing site at Curlew Road. It will provide vital services in CHO 7 and specifically in the South Dublin suburb of Drimnagh.

A design team has been appointed for the proposed Drimnagh Primary Care Centre, a consultant has been appointed to prepare the Strategic Assessment Report which is now underway, and planning permission has been granted.

The proposed PCC at Curlew Road, Drimnagh, will accommodate:

• Facilities for a primary care team, including addiction and older person services.

• Three general practitioners’ suites.

• A day care centre for person with Alzheimer illness;

• A community centre including a crèche.

Any requests for meetings with the Minister should be directed to his private office. The contact details are [e-mail].

As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa trade union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the information provided in this response is the most up to date we can provide at this time.

Budget 2024

Ceisteanna (587)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

587. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the figure provided by his Department to maintain existing levels of service in 2024, under his respective remits ahead of Budget 2024; the figure granted by the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51181/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health (Deputy Stephen Donnelly)

In advance of Estimates 2024, officials in my Department engaged with the Health Vote section of the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform in relation to the funding requirements of the Health Vote in 2024.

On 8th September 2023, as part of initial preparations for preliminary discussions on Estimates 2024, my officials submitted, by email to officials in the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, a draft forecast of the Existing Levels of Service (ELS) requirement for the Health Vote for 2024. This forecast identified an ELS requirement of €2,421 million for 2024 above the base budget allocation for 2023.

The 2024 requirement for €2,421 million comprised €1,201 million to meet existing 2023 cost pressures likely to be carried forward into 2024, and €1,220 million for additional cost pressures in 2024.

Of the €1,201 million for existing 2023 cost pressures, €1,044 million related to non-pay pressures due to price/inflation increases and demographic/demand increases (primarily in Acute Hospitals), €154 million related to the pay funding gap in respect of existing pay agreements (primarily Haddington Road Agreement hours restoration), and €4 million related to other pre-committed cost increases.

Of the €1,220 million for additional 2024 cost pressures, €675 million related to non-pay pressures due to price/inflation increases and demographic/demand increases, €241 million related to the full year pay costs of existing pay agreements in 2024, €376 million related to other pre-committed cost increases (primarily funding for COVID measures to be retained on a permanent basis), €30 million related to the ELS requirements of non-HSE agencies, and these costs were offset by a €102 million savings target for agency/overtime expenditure and management consultancy expenditure in 2024.

The figures contained in the submission of 8th September 2023 were for maintaining Existing Levels of Service only, i.e. they excluded any new service developments, and any non-core funding.

Following this submission by my Department to the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, officials in both Department's engaged in further discussions with a view to finalising the Health Vote funding to be allocated in Estimates 2024. This process culminated in the funding allocation announced in Budget 2024 on 10th October 2023.

The final allocation for the Health Vote to maintain Existing Levels of Service in 2024 has been set at €708 million. This comprises €700 million for the HSE, with the remainder for the Department of Health and non-HSE Agencies. The HSE allocation of €700 million comprises €386 million related to non-pay pressures due to price/inflation increases and demographic/demand increases (primarily in Acute Hospitals), €231 million related to the full year pay costs of existing pay agreements in 2024, €117 million related to other pre-committed cost increases, with these costs being offset by a €34 million savings target for management consultancy expenditure in 2024.

The difference between the additional funding initially requested by my Department for ELS in 2024 of €2,421 million and the final allocation for ELS in 2024 of €708 million is €1,713 million. It should be noted that in addition to the ELS Core funding of €708 million allocated for 2024, non-Core funding of €1,034 million was also allocated to the Health Vote for 2024, comprising €901 million for the HSE and €131 million for non-HSE agencies (primarily the National Treatment Purchase Fund). This non-Core funding, while being allocated on a non-recurring basis in 2024 only, will be utilised by the Health Vote to address many of the cost and demand pressures identified in my Department's original ELS submission. The remaining funding challenges will be actively managed throughout 2024 by my Department in conjunction with the HSE and in consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. A number of savings and efficiencies projects are currently underway or planned to commence shortly, with the aim of achieving cost savings in the targeted areas without negatively impacting on patient outcomes. These projects will be monitored and reported on through the Health Budget Oversight Group during 2024.

Apprenticeship Programmes

Ceisteanna (588)

Marc MacSharry

Ceist:

588. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 444 of 24 January 2023, what stage the review of the current requirement that applicants for plumbing and electrician apprenticeships must pass the colour vision test without the use of corrective lenses is at; when he expects the review to be concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50525/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

The current status of the review of colour vision requirements for apprenticeship programmes is as follows:

• One colour vision review has been completed for Motor Mechanics (Automotive Technology).

• Five Programme Advisory Board (PAB) meetings are scheduled for the coming weeks. The continued requirement for colour vision in these five crafts will be on each agenda. The five crafts in question are Plumbing, Electrical, Heavy Vehicle Mechanic, Metal Fabrication and Carpentry & Joinery.

• Eleven crafts are due for desktop review. In addition, PAB consultation in 2024 will have the continued requirement for the review of colour vision on each agenda.

Apprenticeship Programmes

Ceisteanna (589)

James Lawless

Ceist:

589. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason there is no movement on apprentices (details supplied) who are waiting on their next phase of training. [50754/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

Under the Further Education and Training Act (2013), SOLAS has statutory responsibility for planning, funding, and co-ordinating Further Education and Training (FET) in Ireland.

My officials have referred your query to SOLAS for direct reply on this individual matter. If the apprentice does not receive a response from SOLAS within 30 days, please do come back to my office for further follow-up.

Cybersecurity Policy

Ceisteanna (590)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

590. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science how many staff members in his Department have received training in cyber security in the past three years; what types of cyber security training programmes have been conducted; if he will provide details of these programmes; and of the staff trained in cyber security, how many have obtained accredited cyber security qualifications. [50799/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Deputy Simon Harris)

The Department of Education provide direct ICT services to my Department on a shared service basis. This includes managing cyber-security matters, audits, and ICT-related consultancies.

The Department regularly runs cyber security awareness campaigns for all staff, including officials in my Department, to raise awareness of the threats posed by cyber-crime.  In addition, all of the staff in my Department have access to cyber security awareness training on the civil service wide OneLearning, Learning Management System. ICT personnel also undertake relevant cyber security training periodically.

My Department's and the Department of Education's cyber security defences are supported by the work of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the national computer security incident response team, CSIRT, which provides early warnings, alerts, announcements and dissemination of information about risks and incidents to Government Departments.

The Department has previously been advised by the NCSC, for security reasons, not to disclose details of its cyber security operations which could in any way compromise the Department’s information security posture.  In particular, it is not considered appropriate to disclose any information, which might assist malicious actors to identify potential vulnerabilities.

Cybersecurity Policy

Ceisteanna (591, 592, 593)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

591. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the expenditure on cyber security consultants and companies within his Department in the past three years; if his Department engaged in cyber security audits with outside firms in the past three years; if so, the expenditure on same; the amount his Department spent on cyber security consultants and companies in the past three years; and for a breakdown of these expenditures by year and type of service provided [50817/23]

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

592. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are any ongoing contracts or commitments with cyber security firms; and if details can be provided [50835/23]

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

593. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has a policy and plan in place to address a ransomware attack and restore his Department's IT systems. [50853/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Deputy Simon Harris)

The Department of Education and my Department have a shared service on ICT.

This includes managing cyber-security matters, audits, and ICT-related consultancies. The services provided to my Department and the Department of Education include cyber security defences, which are supported by the work of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the national computer security incident response team, CSIRT, which provides early warnings, alerts, announcements and dissemination of information about risks and incidents to both Departments.

The NCSC, which is located within the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, is the primary cyber security authority in the State. The NCSC provides a range of cyber security services to operators of critical national infrastructure, Government Departments and agencies.

There are a number of robust measures in place to protect the security of the IT systems and infrastructure of both the Department of Education and my Department. These measures are reviewed and updated on a regular basis.

The Departments have previously been advised by the NCSC, for security reasons, not to disclose details of its cyber security operations (including details of commercial relationships, audits/exercises and expenditure) which could in any way compromise either Department’s information security posture. In particular, it is not considered appropriate to disclose any information, which might assist malicious actors to identify potential vulnerabilities.

Waste Management

Ceisteanna (594)

Ivana Bacik

Ceist:

594. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to introduce a deposit return scheme for coffee cups and other beverage containers in further and higher education institution campuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50958/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

My Department is strongly committed to playing its part in moving towards a more sustainable economy and society and recognises the importance of circular economy practices, such as a deposit return scheme for coffee cups and other beverage containers, in achieving this goal.

The Second National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development – ESD to 2030, with an accompanying Implementation Plan was published in June 2022. ESD to 2030 includes an action to promote circular economy principles and practices in higher education campus operations to reduce waste, and the Department is aware that a number of initiatives are underway in this regard across various institutions.

Most canteens and shops on university campus are run by third party retail outlets and they will be required to fulfil their obligation under the Separate Collection (Deposit Return Scheme) Regulations 2021.

Third Level Education

Ceisteanna (595, 596)

Mairéad Farrell

Ceist:

595. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether he is aware that there is no "Northern Ireland" residency option on the application Erasmus+ form and that this is deterring northern applicants from applying despite £1.7 million being allocated for their applications. [50980/23]

Mairéad Farrell

Ceist:

596. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what advice and guidance has been given to Higher Education institutions in the north on Erasmus+ applications; and how they can be processed for students from the north of Ireland. [50981/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

I propose to take Questions Nos. 595 and 596 together.

Since January of this year, officials from my Department have been working closely with the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Northern Ireland to agree the conditions for the Irish Government's initiative to fund mobility for their students to avail of mobilities.

While the initial approach was to develop a scheme within the Erasmus programme on the basis of temporary registration of Northern Ireland students in Irish HEIs, this was not possible as up to 20% of NI mobilities take place in Ireland. Erasmus mobilities must take place in country other than the country in which students are registered.

Furthermore, the introduction of the Turing Scheme also provided a basis to NI HEIs to continue to support student mobilities. However, both Queens University Belfast (QUB) and Ulster University (UU) were only awarded 30% and 34% of the amount they sought, while St Mary's University College did not secure any funding.

More than €2 million has been allocated by my Department to support higher education students in Northern Ireland to avail of mobilities and internships across Europe. This funding will bolster the financial capacity of the institutions to meet the mobility needs of their students. QUB and UU have each been allocated €1 million each, while St Mary’s University College was allocated €70k. Further allocations will be finalised with Stranmillis College and North-West Regional College in the next few weeks.

Institutions have been requested to prioritise student mobilities to Ireland and EU Member States and wider Europe (excluding the UK), with the balance for rest of the world.

While my Department will closely monitor the implementation of this initiative, I am confident that this approach will enable the maximum number of NI students to continue to enjoy the mobility opportunities which were available prior to the Brexit.

Question No. 596 answered with Question No. 595.

Departmental Contracts

Ceisteanna (597, 598)

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

597. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has any current contracts with any Israeli state agency, any Israeli-based company or any company based elsewhere in the world which is owned or part-owned by any Israeli state agency or by any Israeli-based company; and if so, the value of those contracts. [51046/23]

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

598. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department or any of its agencies are involved in any exercise, operation, training or research which includes involvement by any Israeli state agency, any Israeli-based company or any company based elsewhere in the world which is owned or part-owned by any Israeli state agency or by any Israeli-based company. [51064/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Deputy Simon Harris)

My Department and Irish Further and Higher Education Institutions engage internationally with Israel in a number of forums in the context of cultural, educational, scientific innovation and academic partnerships and collaborations in the sphere of further and higher education. These forums include the OECD, Council of Europe and UN etc. Examples of such collaboration/partnerships include the Erasmus+ student exchange programme and Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) funded collaborative research programmes.

The Higher Education Authority, as the National Agency for the Erasmus Plus programme at higher education, participate in the following partnerships:

Year	Irish HEI	Israeli HEI	Irish Outgoing	Incoming
2023	TCD	Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Bar Ilan University	25	25
2023	UCD	Bar Ilan University	1	1
2022	TCD	Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Bar Ilan University	11	11

Science Foundation Ireland’s 2022 research outputs note that there are 38 collaborations between SFI-funded researchers and researchers within Israel, of which:

· One third of the engagements are with the Weizmann Institute of Science & Tel Aviv University. · University of Galway accounts for one third of collaborations and UCC, 20%.

· APC Microbiome Ireland SFI Research Centre and Curam - SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices, have 4 and 3 collaborations respectively. · The main areas covered are biomedicine, immunity & infection, and microbiology. · There are about 15 non-academic links with companies, including Agilent Technologies Israel & IBM Israel. My officials have no knowledge of any non-educational commercial relationships with any Israeli state agencies or companies. Further detail on these educational, cultural and scientific/academic linkages can be obtained from relevant agencies as set out below.

Name of Body

Dedicated Email address for the Members of the Oireachtas

Designated Official Responsible for assisting Oireachtas Members

Higher Education Authority	[e-mail]	Padraic Mellett*
Irish Research Council( Note 1)	[e-mail]	Padraic Mellett*
Grangegorman Development Agency	[e-mail]	[e-mail]
SOLAS	[e-mail]	Maria Walsh [e-mail]
Skillnets Ltd	[e-mail]	[e-mail]
Quality and Qualifications Ireland	[e-mail]	[e-mail]

Léargas – The Exchange Bureau	[e-mail]	[e-mail]
Science Foundation Ireland	Science Foundation Ireland	Ciara Cotter

Note 1 – In regard to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and the Irish Research Council (IRC) as the IRC operates under the auspices of the HEA. Mr Mellett will address Oireachtas queries for both the HEA and IRC. Please use [e-mail] and [e-mail] respectively to contact Mr Mellett.

Budget 2024

Ceisteanna (599)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

599. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the figure provided by his Department to maintain existing levels of service in 2024, under his respective remits ahead of Budget 2024; the figure granted by the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51180/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

A significant part of the annual budgetary process is determining the amount of funding required for Departments to carry out their existing functions. This is referred to as the ‘Existing Level of Service’ (ELS) that delivers additional investment in public services, through for example providing existing schemes to a growing number of people, and investment in the public service workforce.

The Medium Term Expenditure Strategy, agreed by Government in 2021, set out an indicative overall provision of 3 per cent of the core current base each year to maintain ELS. This is an estimated cost to aid overall fiscal planning based on trends observed in previous years rather than a set rate of increase for each Department. Each year both as part of the whole of year Budget process and the finalisation of Estimates, ELS is considered in detail in each Vote. This requires an assessment of the specific needs of the Vote including previous budget decisions, the impact of the existing public sector pay deals and any demographic or other demand impacts.

Government agreed a total Government Expenditure Ceiling of €96.6 billion for Budget 2024. Of this provision, an additional €65 million was allocated for ELS to my Department. This is a net allocation where estimated savings arising on the Vote were offset against our overall funding ask for 2024 measures. The allocation provided is to mainly fund costs arising on Apprenticeship Programmes, Higher Education additional student places, Further Education Programmes and Public sector pay awards.

The ELS submission for my Department to the Department of Public Expenditure and NDP Delivery and Reform forms part of confidential Budget 2024 negotiations with further engagement currently ongoing as part of the 2023 Supplementary Estimates and 2024 Revised Estimates (REV) stage of the annual Estimates process.

Departmental Funding

Ceisteanna (600)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

600. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a funding line is available for a group (details supplied). [50573/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Rural and Community Development

I understand that the Deputy is referring to operational funding for a particular First Responder organisation. My Department does not provide operational funding for such Community First Responder groups. I understand that Community First Responders engage, in the first instance, with the National Ambulance Service and the Deputy may wish to contact the Minister for Health in respect of the provision of operational funding for such groups.

My Department has, however, provided funding for vehicles under measure 2 of the CLÁR programme for Community First Responders and other groups such as those providing free transport for cancer patients. I was pleased to announce the approval of funding of over €2million for 37 projects under measure 2 earlier this year. However, as CLÁR is targeted at particular geographic areas, groups must be located in a CLÁR area in order to be eligible.

Departmental Funding

Ceisteanna (601)

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

601. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the total amount of current funding available under the community centres investments fund; and the timing of the application periods and funding awards. [50666/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Rural and Community Development

This Government recognises the important role that community centres play in community life in Ireland, particularly in bringing people together.

My Department has put in place an integrated programme of supports for the establishment and development of community centres across schemes such as CLÁR, LEADER, the Community Support Fund, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, and of course the new Community Centres Investment Fund.

The focus of the 2022 Community Centres Investment Fund was improving existing community centres across Ireland. Over €45.8 million in capital funding has been committed to this refurbishment work.

This funding was very warmly received by communities all over Ireland. At the same time, the scheme also brought to light that there were a number of community groups striving to build their own new community centre, and that there is a need for new facilities in some areas. In response to this need, I announced a €20 million capital fund in March this year to support communities with ‘shovel-ready’ projects to build new community centres.

The minimum grant funding available is €1 million with the maximum being €6 million. The deadline for receipt of applications was 3rd July. Applications are currently being assessed by my Department and I expect to announce the successful projects in quarter one 2024.

Departmental Funding

Ceisteanna (602)

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

602. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her position on applications made jointly by schools, public bodies and community organisations for funding from the community centre investment fund. [50667/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The focus of the 2022 Community Centres Investment Fund was the improvement and refurbishment of existing community centres across Ireland. Over €45.8 million has been committed to this important refurbishment work.

This year the focus of the Fund moved to new builds. I want to assist community groups striving to build their own community centre to service local needs. In March, I was delighted to announce a €20 million Fund to support communities with ‘shovel-ready’ projects on green or brownfield sites to build new community centres.

This Measure will target areas which do not have an appropriate facility to meet the needs of their area. The minimum grant funding available is €1 million with the maximum being €6 million. The deadline for receipt of applications was 3rd July.

These applications are currently being assessed by my Department and it is expected that successful projects will be announced in quarter one of 2024.

For the purposes of compliance with public financial procedures, the lead party to an application had to be a State-funded body. State-funded bodies are local authorities, local development companies and other State agencies, including commercial State bodies. This would not have included primary or secondary level schools, although they were welcome to engage with lead parties and communities in taking a partnership approach to any particular project.

Departmental Programmes

Ceisteanna (603)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

603. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will approve a CLÁR application for groups (details supplied). [50675/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The CLÁR programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of depopulation over a defined period.

Since the programme was relaunched in 2016, it has supported a wide range of measures with over €57 million being approved for almost 2,100 projects throughout rural Ireland.

I launched the 2023 programme in March and it is divided into three measures.

Under Measure 1, grants from €5,000 to €50,000 are being provided to support the development of community and sports facilities, youth clubs, playgrounds, sensory gardens and walking tracks.

Measure 2 of the programme will continue to provide funding of up to €100,000 to support local community and voluntary groups to purchase vehicles for the transport of cancer patients to treatment centres.

Measure 3 of the Programme is designed to support offshore island communities, with maximum grants of €120,000 available for community transport projects and up to €50,000 available to develop community amenity projects.

All the groups referenced by the Deputy refer to Measure 1 applications. Community groups submit applications under Measure 1 directly to their local authority, who can then prioritise up to 15 to forward to my Department for consideration for funding.

I can confirm that 15 applications seeking almost €637,000 have been submitted by Westmeath County Council under Measure 1. This includes applications from 3 of the groups referred to by the deputy. An application from the third group listed by the Deputy was not received from Westmeath County Council.

I was pleased to announce the approval of funding of over €2million for 37 projects under Measure 2 in August of this year. This included support for 2 applications from County Westmeath.

My officials are currently considering all applications submitted under Measures 1 and 3 of the CLÁR programme. I expect to make an announcement of the successful projects under Measures 1 and 3 of the CLÁR programme in the coming weeks.

Departmental Programmes

Ceisteanna (604)

Joe Flaherty

Ceist:

604. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will provide an update on an application to POBAL under the CSP programme by an association (details supplied). [50760/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development

My Department's Community Services Programme (CSP) supports over 420 community-based organisations, to provide local services through a social enterprise model. CSP provides an annual co-funding contribution towards each full-time equivalent (FTE) position being supported, and, where warranted, towards the cost of employing a manager.

An application window for funding for additional staff posts to existing CSP funded organisations was opened on September 1st with a closing date of 29th September.

Pobal, who manage and administer the programme on behalf of my Department, received a huge volume of applications from CSP supported organisations under the call for applications for additional funding, and have confirmed they received a request for additional funding from the organisation in question for additional funded posts.

Applications received are currently under review. Due to the volume of applications received under this call, it is expected that notifications on the outcome of the application process will issue to organisations early in 2024.

Men's Sheds

Ceisteanna (605)

Ivana Bacik

Ceist:

605. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the capital funding that is available to men's sheds for repair and recycle activities; and her plans to invest in capacity building and advertising of such services. [50775/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Rural and Community Development

My Department provides a range of supports which are available to Men's Sheds, depending on the works being completed.

I was delighted to announce on 20th November 2023, a new €1 million Fund to assist Men’s Sheds across the country. Under the initiative, grants of up to €3,000 will be provided to support Men’s Sheds with their running costs such as their heating, electricity, utility and insurance bills.

This funding builds on the €800,000 I announced last November, 2022, to support Men’s Sheds. The individual grants of up to €3,000 will be distributed to the Men’s Sheds via its representative body, the Irish Men’s Sheds Association (IMSA), through an application process which includes qualifying criteria for the fund.

Separately, the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) has provided supports to 281 Men’s Sheds since 2018, with small grants totalling over €198,000 awarded to 119 Men’s Sheds. This support is still available through SICAP.

The Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO) provides multi-annual funding towards core costs of national, community and voluntary organisations. The current iteration commenced on 1 July 2022 and will operate until 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.

And finally, Men's Sheds were eligible to apply for funding under the Community Support Fund (CSF) that was announced last November under the Community Enhancement Programme (CEP). The €10 million CSF was set up to help small community groups with their energy/running costs but also to provide funding for small capital works projects. The CSF is now closed and details of successful Men’s Sheds is available at www.gov.ie/DRCD. Since 2018, over €2.2 million in funding was allocated to Men’s Sheds under the CEP.

I encourage all groups to check my department’s website www.gov.ie/drcd, and to engage with their Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), Local Development Companies and Public Participation Networks (PPN) to ensure they are aware of funding opportunities as they become available.