Michael Healy-Rae
Question:767. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide an update on an application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16142/24]
View answerRural Schemes
Questions (767)
Written answers
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.
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 fifth call for Category 1 RRDF applications closed on 8 February, and I can confirm that an application for funding has been received in respect of the project referenced by the Deputy.
The application process for Category 1 proposals is highly competitive in nature, with all applications subject to rigorous assessment by my Department. A Project Advisory Board, comprised of representatives from key Government Departments and independent experts, is also in place to assist with the selection process.
Once the assessment process is complete, my officials will prepare a report setting out recommended projects. My role as Minister will be to consider that report and make final decisions in relation to the allocation of funding. I expect to be in a position to announce the successful projects shortly.
Rural Schemes
Questions (768)
Robert Troy
Question:768. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will review the eligibility criteria for men's/women's sheds grants ahead of future rounds of funding (details supplied). [16530/24]
View answerWritten answers
My Department provides a range of supports which are available to both Men's and Women’s Sheds, depending on the works being completed.
Men’s and Women’s Sheds were eligible to apply for capital funding under my Department’s Local Enhancement Programme (LEP), which I announced last December. This €6 million capital fund was set up to assist thousands of community groups across the country.
There was a particular focus on small capital works/necessary repairs and improvements to facilities, as well as the purchase of equipment for community use. The funding may be used, but is not limited to; improved access for persons with a disability; enhancing community participation for disadvantaged and marginalised groups, and improving energy efficiency of community facilities to reduce ongoing costs.
The LEP is administered on behalf of my Department locally by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), with support from their Local Authority. The LEP is now closed to applicants and details of successful projects will be published on my Department’s website www.gov.ie/drcd in the coming weeks. Further funding for the Local Enhancement Programme will be considered within the context of the budgetary estimates process later in the year.
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), Local Development Companies and Public Participation Networks (PPN), to ensure they are aware of funding opportunities as they become available.
Rural Schemes
Questions (769)
Mattie McGrath
Question:769. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the reason the ORIS Measure One application from South Tipperary Development Company for the development of a promotional website for the St. Declans' Way Irish Camino was not successful; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15968/24]
View answerWritten answers
I was delighted to officially open St Declan's Way in September 2021. This is a great amenity for locals and visitors alike, and it is of note that it has received support under a number of schemes and supports operated by my Department in recent years.
For example, St. Declan's Way has been awarded funding of over €220,000 through my Department's Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme since 2016. I was also pleased to include this trail in my Department's Walks Scheme which provides funding to the local landowners for maintaining sections of the trail that traverse their land. I understand that 46 landowners on this trail are participating in this scheme. Furthermore, on Saturday last, I announced funding of €20,000 for two capital projects on St Declan's Way under my Department's Walks Scheme Development Fund.
The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) is funded by my Department under Our Rural Future. The scheme provides funding for the development and enhancement of outdoor recreational infrastructure such as walking trails, cycleways and blue ways throughout rural Ireland.
Under Measure 1 of the ORIS 2023 scheme, an application was submitted by South Tipperary Development CLG to further develop the St Declan's Way website. I regret to note that given the finite level of resources available and following a competitive assessment process, this application was not successful for funding. My officials are available to discuss this application and other potential projects with the applicants as appropriate.
Rural Schemes
Questions (770)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:770. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 230 of 24 January 2024, if further funding will be made available to Galway County Council to deal with the backlog of LIS applications and reopen the scheme to new applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15975/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports improving rural roads and laneways not normally maintained by local authorities. As part of Our Rural Future, the government is committed to ensuring that the LIS is funded in the future.
The scheme was reintroduced in 2017 after several years without dedicated funding. Between 2017 and 2023, my Department allocated almost €130 million to improvement works on over 4,000 non-public roads and lanes, which benefitted nearly 20,000 landowners and residents in rural Ireland.
Last year alone, my Department invested almost €30 million in LIS funding, the highest amount ever invested in the scheme. My officials liaise closely with each local authority to ensure that funds are utilised fully and that as many roads as possible are completed each year.
Each local authority selects roads to be funded under the scheme based on the priority or condition of particular roads in their county. The local authority may rely on existing lists of eligible roads and/or advertise for new applicant roads. However, there is a backlog of roads awaiting repair under the scheme, and my priority is to support local authorities in addressing this backlog.
I intend to announce the 2024 scheme shortly, and my officials will contact local authorities regarding the details of the scheme (including financial allocations) as soon as it is announced.
Rural Schemes
Questions (771)
Noel Grealish
Question:771. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when a new community centres investment fund - improvement and refurbishment of existing community centres is to be announced and open for applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16143/24]
View answerWritten answers
I have prioritised the development and enhancement of community centres across the country as they are a vital resource for any community. They are where we go for community activities and events, and for social supports and social interaction. They are home to many of our cultural and sporting clubs. They are also where communities come together in times of difficulty and in times of celebration.
Under the 2022 Community Centre Investment Fund in particular, over €45.8 million was committed for improvement and refurbishment works on over 860 existing community centres across Ireland. There was a huge uptake of this funding and communities are now enjoying the improvements to the fabric of their community centres as a result of this Government initiative.
Following on from this investment, I wanted to assist community groups who are striving to build their own community centre to service their local needs. That is why, in 2023, the focus of the Community Centres Investment Fund moved to new builds.
Last year I announced a new €20 million fund to support communities with shovel-ready projects on green or brownfield sites for the construction of new community centres. I'm pleased to note that the project assessment process is nearing conclusion and I hope to shortly announce the successful projects. I will, of course, then give consideration to the need for further funding for community centres in the context of available funding.
Departmental Contracts
Questions (772)
Alan Kelly
Question:772. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of contracts with (details supplied) her Department has had with in the years of 2023 and to date in 2024; and the nature of services this company provided to her Department during this period, in tabular form. [16408/24]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has not entered into any contracts with the organisation referenced in the details supplied, in 2023 or 2024.
Control of Dogs
Questions (773)
Cormac Devlin
Question:773. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide an update on the work of the interdepartmental working group on the review of existing dog control legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16486/24]
View answerWritten answers
I am committed to improving outcomes in relation to Dog Control in Ireland and in this context, I recently announced the establishment of a high level stakeholder group to consider and make recommendations to strengthen policy in relation these issues. I have appointed John Twomey as Chair of the stakeholder group, which comprises members with a broad range of expertise including academics, veterinary surgeons, local authorities, dog trainers and behaviourists, hunting and farming interests, and animal welfare organisations.
The first meeting of this group took place recently. It is my intention to publish the terms of reference, agendas and meeting minutes subject to the approval of the group. I expect to receive one formal report each year, in addition to regular updates on the work.
The group have been tasked with considering the policy and legislative matters under the remit of my Department, specifically the Dog Control Acts and the Dog Breeding Establishments Act. I look forward to receiving the recommendations of the group in due course.
It should be noted that this work is in addition to the continuing work of the interagency working group on dog control matters chaired by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, details of which are available on www.gov.ie/en/publication/0d6d7-working-group-on-control-of-dogs/
Departmental Funding
Questions (774)
Cormac Devlin
Question:774. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding, if any, that has been applied for to mark and celebrate Ernest Shackleton's 150th anniversary around Ireland; if not applied for, what funding might exist through her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16489/24]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has not received an application to mark and celebrate Ernest Shackleton’s 150th anniversary under any of the schemes or programmes it operates. However, support may be available, depending on the nature of the proposed activity, from the LEADER programme.
The LEADER Programme is a key intervention of Our Rural Future, the Government’s Policy for rural development which aims to deliver a range of actions to rural communities over the lifetime of the policy. It supports a broad range of activities which aim to respond to the diversity of the local needs of our rural areas.
It is delivered through Local Action Groups (LAGs) across rural Ireland. A feature of the LEADER programme is that it is based on a community-led, bottom-up approach to rural development.
Funding under the 2023-2027 LEADER programme is focused on a thematic approach to rural development under the headings of Economic Development and Job Creation, Rural Infrastructure and Social Inclusion, Sustainable Development of the Rural Environment and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation.
In order for a project to be eligible for LEADER funding, it must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved Local Development Strategy in the sub-regional area concerned, and it must comply with the Operating Rules and EU Regulations in place for the programme.
Prospective applicants should, in the first instance, contact their relevant LAG, through its Implementing Partner, to discuss the eligibility of the project and the funding that may be available. Contact details for all LAGs are available on my Department’s website at www.gov.ie.
Rural Schemes
Questions (775)
Brendan Griffin
Question:775. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if value for money reviews are carried out on local improvement scheme allocations to local authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16557/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. As part of Our Rural Future, the Government is committed to ensuring that the LIS is funded into the future.
The Scheme was reintroduced by my Department in 2017 following a number of years with no dedicated funding. I am committed to improving connectivity for rural and island residents, whether it be access to homes, farms or outdoor amenities. Between 2017 and 2023 my Department has allocated almost €130 million to local authorities under the Local Improvement Scheme. This has upgraded, up to the end of 2023, over 4,000 non-public roads and lanes which has benefitted almost 20,000 landowners and residents in these rural areas.
While my Department provides funding for the Scheme, it is administered by each local authority, who are responsible for the selection and prioritisation of roads, and the procurement and tender process in line with Public Spending Code guidelines. As such, local authorities have put in place their own structures and procedures for ensuring that costs incurred represent a convincing value for money proposition, and that the investment is commensurate with the benefits that the improved roads will provide.
Internally within my Department, the operation of the Scheme is reviewed each year and the process for allocating funding is thoroughly examined to ensure that funds are distributed in such a way as to ensure that local authorities fully use their given allocations to complete repair works on as many eligible roads as possible. Any underspend identified at year end is returned to the Department. My Department, in recent years, has applied penalties to those local authorities with high underspends and will continue to closely monitor expenditure to ensure LIS funding is fully utilised by each local authority. Additionally, LIS funding is also subject to the range of control and evaluation procedures implemented by my officials such as the annual programme of on site inspections and the rolling series of internal audit reports.
I intend to announce the 2024 scheme imminently. My officials will contact local authorities regarding the details of the scheme as soon as it is announced.
Rural Schemes
Questions (776)
Catherine Murphy
Question:776. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there is an education and or advice scheme that focuses on good corporate governance that volunteer organisations can avail of. [16562/24]
View answerWritten answers
I am immensely proud that my Department leads on supporting volunteering and implementing the National Volunteering Strategy 2021-2025. The Strategy was approved by Government and launched in December 2020. It is a whole of government framework to support the voluntary sector. Its purpose is to recognise, support and promote the unique value and contribution volunteers make to Irish society.
The Strategy comprises a suite of policy and strategic initiatives led by the Department of Rural and Community Development to support volunteers, their representative groups and a range of not-for-profit organisations in community development, local development, social enterprise, and community and voluntary sectors. There are five strategic objectives set out in the Strategy, with 56 associated actions.
My Department provides funding to Boardmatch to implement action 52 of the National Volunteering Strategy, which is to provide training on good governance to volunteer board members, as well as a matching service to recruit new board members. Boardmatch provides a range of fully accredited governance training courses, which are open to voluntary organisations and new and existing volunteer Board members and Trustees, so that people being appointed to Boards are better trained and have the knowledge and skills to comply with their statutory obligations whilst leading not-for-profit organisations in developing and delivering their strategic plans. Training provided by Boardmatch includes CEO and Chair training, Financial Governance, Trustee Training, Cyber Risk Management, Board Culture, and Governance Refresher courses.
My Department also funds a number of other organisations involved in providing training and other supports to volunteers and volunteer-involving organisations. In this regard, for example, funding is provided to Carmichael each year to support their Good Governance Awards. This is a national initiative led by Carmichael that promotes, recognises and encourages adherence to good governance practice by non-profit organisations in Ireland. Funding is also provided to Volunteer Ireland to provide a wide range of training courses on relevant areas to volunteers, Volunteer Centres and volunteer-involving organisations nationwide.
Departmental Projects
Questions (777)
Paul McAuliffe
Question:777. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 1580 of 20 March 2024, what guidance her Department officials give to Tidy Towns adjudicators with regard to the presence of election posters and/or cable ties in the context of the marking scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16568/24]
View answerWritten answers
The SuperValu TidyTowns competition is a unique volunteer-led programme that makes a hugely positive contribution in communities across Ireland. Ahead of the competition launch each year, officials in my Department meet with SuperValu, the main sponsor of the competition, and with our highly skilled and competent panel of adjudicators. Any changes to the competition's eight scoring categories are considered and judging criteria updated accordingly. However, it should be noted that my Departmental officials' role is to facilitate the administration of the adjudication process only; they are not actively involved in the adjudication of competition entries.
Adjudication of competition entries typically takes place during the months of June and July. In the event that the adjudication period coincides with an election, adjudicators are aware that election posters and/or cable ties may be displayed within the timeframe specified under the Litter Pollution Act, 1997 as amended. An adjudicator may comment in their final adjudication report if election posters and/or cable ties are still on display after the allowed timeframe, but it is not expected that marks are deducted as a result.
The 2024 SuperValu TidyTowns Competition was launched on 23rd March, with a closing date of 8th May. I look forward to announcing the results of the 2024 SuperValu TidyTowns Competition at an awards ceremony later in the year.