Written Answers Nos. 769-788
769. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the administration supports and other supports that are available to a community group (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18763/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has a number of schemes that support community groups across the country.
While my Department does not have any record of the organisation referred to by the Deputy having previously applied for funding, they may be eligible for supports through programmes that include the Community Services Programme; the LEADER programme; CLÁR; and, the Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme. Further details of these programmes are outlined below.
The Community Services Programme (CSP) through a social enterprise model, 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, which must be co-funded by the organisations concerned from other sources, for example, from income generated from the use of facilities and services provided. While no further calls for proposals are anticipated at this time, the Department can hold contact details on file should the programme open for new applicants in the near future. Contact details for a nominated person can be provided to the email address csp@drcd.gov.ie. It should be noted that any additional new entrants will be considered in light of available budgets.
Support under the LEADER Programme is provided under a broad range of themes, including the Economic Development and Job Creation theme; and, the Rural Infrastructure & Social Inclusion theme. Funding for the organisation may be available to develop or enhance facilities under the LEADER programme. It is important to note that running costs of project promoters, such as salary and overhead costs, are not eligible for LEADER funding. Prospective applicants should, in the first instance, contact their relevant Local Action Group to discuss the eligibility of the project and the funding that may be available.
The CLÁR Programme provides funding for small-scale projects in rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population. Since the programme was relaunched in 2016, it has supported a wide range of measures. Earlier this month I announced almost €9 million in funding to community and sports facilities nationwide under the 2024 CLÁR programme. Some measures include - Community Facilities and Amenities, Mobility, Cancer Care, Community First Responder and Meals on Wheels Transport. This scheme is now open for applications and further details are available on our website at gov.ie.
The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme 2024 – 2028 (SICAP), is our country’s primary social inclusion intervention. One of SICAP’s goals is to contribute to building more sustainable, inclusive and empowered communities by empowering groups of individuals, local community groups, networks and social enterprises to address collective community needs. A number of supports may be available to the organisation through SICAP, including grants for initiatives in line with the objectives of SICAP. The organisation should engage with their Local Development Company and Local Community Development Committee on potential supports and eligibility for grants under the programme.
In addition, I would also suggest that should the organisation require immediate supports, they should make contact with their Local Development Company or Local Authority who may be able to provide some guidance on supports available at this time. Their Local Intreo Office may be able to assist with the possibility of additional staff resources for activation programmes such as Community Employment or Tús.
I would encourage all groups to check my department’s website www.gov.ie/drcd, and to engage with their Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) and the Local Development Companies, to ensure they are aware of funding opportunities as they become available.
770. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide an update on the current review of CLÁR designated areas within her Department, and when the review will conclude; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18829/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 €70 million being approved for almost 2,400 projects throughout rural Ireland. This funding is making a real difference in many of our smaller and more remote communities.
The areas originally selected for inclusion in the programme in 2001 were those which suffered the greatest population decline from 1926 to 1996. The average population loss in the original CLÁR areas over the period 1926 to 1996 was 50%.
In 2006, an analysis of the 2002 Census data was carried out by Maynooth University and the programme was extended to include areas with an average population loss of 35% between 1926 and 2002.
A national review of CLÁR areas was subsequently undertaken in 2021 using the 2016 Census of Population data, reviewing the most recent changes in population patterns throughout the country.
From the review it is clear that many areas have seen population growth in the relevant period rather than decline, and indeed the most recent census data published by the Central Statistics Office points to population growth across all counties since 2016.
The details of the review are being considered by my Department. In addition, the implications of the latest Census data would need to be evaluated before any decisions are made in relation to changing areas throughout Ireland which will be designated as eligible for CLÁR.
771. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the total number of copper communication lines within her Department that are currently in active operation and for which her Department is paying for on a monthly basis, inclusive of ISDN, PTSN and copper-based lease lines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18843/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that there are not any ISDN, PTSN or copper-based leased lines in use by my Department.
772. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of people who have availed of devices under the seniors alert scheme in total since the scheme was first established; the number of people supported each year; to provide an estimate of the number of such devices which are currently active; the total amount spent on the scheme to date; the amount spent on the scheme on average, per annum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18850/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is responsible for the Seniors Alert Scheme, which encourages community support for vulnerable older people in our communities through the provision of personal monitored alarms to enable them to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. Funding is available under the Scheme towards the purchase, by a registered community-based organisation, of a personal alarm or pendant and for one year's free monitoring in the first year.
The Seniors Alert Scheme is administered by local community and voluntary groups with the support of my Department and Pobal. Pobal commenced operating the Scheme in 2015.
Pobal have been made aware of 3,714 participant who have left the scheme as of 31 March 2024.There can be many reasons that individuals can leave the scheme, they can move house, decide they no longer want the equipment, or move to nursing home care or pass away.
A number of changes to the Scheme were introduced in 2017, including the provision of free monitoring for the first year and a revision of the living alone requirements.
The table below outlines the number of participants approved for the demand led Scheme since Pobal began operating the scheme in 2015, along with expenditure on the Scheme by year.
|
Year |
Participants |
Spend €m |
|
2015 |
1,321 |
|
|
2016 |
7,301 |
1,800 |
|
2017 |
12,609 |
2,683 |
|
2018 |
19,228 |
6,984 |
|
2019 |
19,108 |
6,781 |
|
2020 |
16,719 |
5,081 |
|
2021 |
14,225 |
4,555 |
|
2022 |
15,577 |
4,589 |
|
2023 |
17,032 |
6,181 |
|
2024 |
4,867 (to end of March) |
|
|
Total |
127,987 |
38,654 |
773. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if consideration is being given to restricting the type of dog that can be bred in Ireland on the basis that they are excessively dangerous; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18933/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has policy responsibility for the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 and the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 2014.My officials are reviewing the existing legislative provisions under the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 and the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 2014, taking account of recommendations from, inter alia, the Report of the Working Group on Control of Dogs, the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Food, Agriculture and the Marine, consultation with stakeholders and experts in the field, and the outcomes of the public consultation undertaken by my Department in 2019.
In November I announced the establishment of a high level Stakeholder Group that will inform decisions regarding any potential legislative change. The first meeting of this group took place recently. Updates to the existing legislation are required and it is proposed that amendments will be made through a Control of Dogs and Dog Breeding Establishment Miscellaneous Bill.
Items under consideration include the possibility for dog control notices, the inclusion of additional breeds in the restricted dogs list and updates to definitions contained in the Dog Breeding Establishments Act. However, the issues raised are wide ranging and complex and require in depth analysis and consultation to ensure amendments are not just robust, fit for purpose and implementable, but that they also deliver the best outcomes for communities and for dogs themselves. This work will progress throughout 2024.
774. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the current progress and eventual timeline for the provision of an extension for Carlow library (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18936/24]
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 provision of an extension to Carlow Town Library is a matter for Carlow County Council.
As advised in my response to PQ 2613/24 on 23 January 2024, my Department invited Local Authorities in April 2023 to submit proposals for the development of public library infrastructure, facilities and mobile library vehicles under the Libraries Capital Programme 2023-2027. Carlow County Council submitted a proposal for the refurbishment and conservation of Carlow Town Library, which included a modern extension.
My Department conducted a thorough evaluation of all proposals submitted, using the scoring matrix that was published in the call for proposals that issued to Local Authorities in April 2023. Due to the large number of applications received, and limited capital envelope available, Carlow County Council's application did not score high enough to receive funding approval on this occasion. However, the Carlow Town Library project has been approved for inclusion on a waitlist should further funding become available during the lifetime of the programme. A maximum grant of €3m applies for proposals funded under the Libraries Capital Programme 2023-2027.
775. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will urgently examine making amendments to cater for situations where one landowner on a road is refusing to sign up to the local improvement scheme, either as a contributor or has no objection to the scheme, thus depriving other landowners of the opportunity to avail of the scheme. [18982/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Improvement Scheme supports the improvement of non-public rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. The 2024 was launched last week with a record investment of €40 million across 2024 and 2025.
Under the terms of the Scheme for 2024, eligible road projects are those that involve the construction or improvement of non-public roads which prove access:
· To parcels of land, of which, two or more are owned or occupied by different persons, one of which must be engaged in agricultural activities; or
· For harvesting purposes (including turf or seaweed) for two or more persons or
· To at least one parcel of land owned/occupied by a person engaged in agricultural activities and which separately provides access for harvesting purposes (including turf or seaweed) for at least one other person.
In addition, works can be carried out on amenity roads, which are non-public roads leading to important community amenities such as graveyards, beaches, piers, mountain access points or other tourist/heritage sites.
While my Department provides the funding, local authorities administer the scheme and are solely responsible for the selection and prioritisation of eligible roads. Section 81(4)(a) of the Local Government Act, 2001 requires a prior written agreement between the beneficiaries and the road authority, and compliance with this and other requirements of the scheme is administered at a local level by each local authority.
776. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide details of each project that received funding from her Department under the rural regeneration and development fund, by county, to date in 2024, in tabular form; the amount received by each project and the total allocation to each county; and the projects therein that she subsequently attended a launch or recognition event. [19139/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra777. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide details of each project that received funding from her Department under the rural regeneration and development fund, by county, in 2023, in tabular form; the amount received by each project and the total allocation to each county; and the projects therein that she subsequently attended a launch or recognition event. [19140/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra778. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide details of each project that received funding from her Department under the rural regeneration and development fund, by county, in 2022, in tabular form; the amount received by each project and the total allocation to each county; and the projects therein that she subsequently attended a launch or recognition event. [19141/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra779. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide details of each project that received funding from her Department under the rural regeneration and development fund, by county, in 2021, in tabular form; the amount received by each project and the total allocation to each county; and the projects therein that she subsequently attended a launch or recognition event. [19142/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra780. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide details of each project that received funding from her Department under the rural regeneration and development fund, by county, in 2020, in tabular form; the amount received by each project and the total allocation to each county; and the projects therein that she subsequently attended a launch or recognition event. [19143/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra781. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will list project that received funding from her Department under the Clár programme in 2020, by county; the amount received by each project; the total allocation to each county; and the projects therein that she subsequently attended a launch or recognition event, in tabular form. [19144/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra782. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will list each project that received funding from her Department under the Clár programme in 2021, by county; the amount received by each project; the total allocation to each county; and the projects therein that she subsequently attended a launch or recognition event, in tabular form. [19145/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra783. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will list each project that received funding from her Department under the Clár programme in 2022, by county; the amount received by each project; the total allocation to each county; and the projects therein that she subsequently attended a launch or recognition event, in tabular form. [19146/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra784. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will list each project that received funding from her Department under the Clár programme in 2023, by county; the amount received by each project; the total allocation to each county; and the projects therein that she subsequently attended a launch or recognition event, in tabular form. [19147/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra785. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will list each project that received funding from her Department under the Clár programme to date in 2024, by county; the amount received by each project; the total allocation to each county; and the projects therein that the Minister subsequently attended a launch or recognition event, in tabular form [19148/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra786. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will list each project that received funding from her Department under the Community recognition Fund in 2023, by county; the amount received by each project; the total allocation to each county; and the projects therein that she subsequently attended a launch or recognition event, in tabular form. [19149/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra787. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will list each project that received funding from her Department under the Community recognition Fund in 2024, by county; the amount received by each project; the total allocation to each county; and the projects therein that she subsequently attended a launch or recognition event, in tabular form. [19150/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra788. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will list each project that received funding from her Department under the town and village renewal scheme in 2024, by county; the amount received by each project; the total allocation to each county; and the projects therein that she subsequently attended a launch or recognition event, in tabular form. [19151/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra789. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development in tabular form per county each project that received funding from her Department under the town and village renewal scheme in 2023, the amount received by each project and the total allocation to each county, and the projects therein that she subsequently attended a launch or recognition event. [19152/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra790. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development in tabular form per county each project that received funding from her Department under the town and village renewal scheme in 2022, the amount received by each project and the total allocation to each county, and the projects therein that she subsequently attended a launch or recognition event. [19153/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra791. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development in tabular form per county each project that received funding from her Department under the town and village renewal scheme in 2021, the amount received by each project and the total allocation to each county, and the projects therein that she subsequently attended a launch or recognition event. [19154/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra792. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development in tabular form per county each project that received funding from her Department under the town and village renewal scheme in 2020, the amount received by each project and the total allocation to each county, and the projects therein that she subsequently attended a launch or recognition event. [19155/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 776, 777, 778, 779, 780, 781, 782, 783, 784, 785, 786, 787, 788, 789, 790, 791 and 792 together.
Our Rural Future, Ireland's Rural Development Policy 2021 – 2025, represents the Irish Government’s blueprint for the development of rural Ireland. It sets out a range of actions for delivery across Government, and sets the strategic framework for the delivery of capital investment under my Department's Rural Development Investment Programme. Details in relation to projects awarded funding are regularly published by my Department. The information requested can be found in the links set out below to the published information across counties, years and schemes.
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) is a key capital investment scheme which directly supports the objectives of Our Rural Future and the Town Centre First policy. The RRDF provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns, villages and rural areas across Ireland. To date, 215 projects have been approved for RRDF funding of €415 million. The detail in relation to the projects awarded funding in each county is available on my Department’s website at the following link
www.gov.ie/en/publication/7be140-test/.
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. Since the launch of the scheme over €177 million has been allocated to some 1,800 projects across Ireland, with the most recent awards of funding under the Scheme having been made this week. The detail in relation to the projects awarded funding in each county is available on my Department’s website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/0012f5-town-and-village-renewal-scheme/.
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 CLÁR programme was reintroduced in 2016, funding of over €70 million has been approved for almost 2,400 projects. This includes supports for a vast array of projects that will benefit people of all ages and abilities such as playgrounds, sensory gardens, outdoor cinemas, walking tracks, and community gyms. The detail in relation to the projects awarded funding in each county is available on my Department’s website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/91ba52-clar/#2020-clar-measures.
The Community Recognition Fund was first introduced in 2023 to recognise the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland. Through the 2023 allocation, funding of €50 million was approved for some 900 projects in providing support to cities, towns and villages nationwide that have welcomed people from Ukraine and other countries. To further support communities, I announced a further €50 million in funding under the Community Recognition Fund in March 2024. The additional funding is specifically targeted at projects that are located in cities, towns and villages that are hosting the Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and/or International Protection Applicants. This allocation is being targeted at larger projects than in 2023, with a minimum allocation of €50,000 per project. Applications under the current round of funding can be submitted by local authorities across three phases, so as to allow flexibility and adequate engagement and collaboration on larger projects. The detail in relation to the projects approved under the 2023 fund in each county is available on my Department’s website at the following link
www.gov.ie/en/service/e626a-community-recognition-fund-2023/#2023-community-recognition-fund-approvals.
In my role as Minister for Rural and Community Development, I have engaged extensively with local communities across Ireland, including via an extensive series of visits over recent years. These visits have ranged from official project launches under schemes with larger investment items such as the RRDF, to witnessing first hand the implementation of more modest projects under schemes such as CLÁR which also deliver tangible benefits to communities. These visits offer an opportunity to directly engage with local communities as to their needs and priorities at local level, as well as a forum to witness at first hand the projects being implemented by local authorities and other groups as part of the delivery of Our Rural Future. While my Department does not record detailed information in relation to the range of such visits centrally, details in relation to my Ministerial diary of events are available online at www.gov.ie/en/collection/304ed4-ministers-diaries/. However, should the Deputy require further detail in relation to particular projects or events, I will of course arrange for the available detail to be collated for his information.
