Written Answers Nos. 853-871
853. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will examine the case of a person (details supplied) who wishes to return third level education after an extended absence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36766/24]
View answerThe decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the centralised student grant awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) to determine
Generally speaking, a grant will not be paid to a student for a repeat period of study on the same course, or for a different course at the same level, irrespective of whether or not a grant was paid previously. The objective of this policy is to help as many students as possible to obtain one qualification at each level of study.
Notwithstanding this, under Article 15(8) of the Student Grant Scheme 2024, the awarding authority SUSI has discretion to award a grant for a repeat period of study in exceptional circumstances, such as serious certified illness, which impacted on a student completing a particular period of study or undertaking exams in line with guidelines drawn up by the Minister. SUSI treats each application for repeat funding on a case-by-case basis and it is a matter for the individual student to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the awarding authority that there were exceptional circumstances.
My officials have advised that the student requested a review of their 2024/2025 under exceptional circumstances, the student provided some documents as had been requested by SUSI on 16 May 2024. An additional email was sent by SUSI to the student on 3 July 2024 requesting further documents to support the exceptional circumstances. No further documentation has been received by SUSI from the student.
Apart from the Student Grant Scheme, students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.
In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Further information on this tax relief is available from a student’s local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie.
854. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the current number of live studies, reviews and research undertaken or commissioned by his Department; and the date by which each study, review and research is scheduled to be completed, in tabular form. [36903/24]
View answerPlease see attached excel file which contains a list of all live studies, reviews and research undertaken or commissioned by my Department.
855. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount allocated under the student assistance fund, by institution, in each of the years 2010 to 2023 and to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36943/24]
View answerThe information that the Deputy requested is a large dataset and is not readily available, my officials collected and collated the full range of data requested from the academic year 2016/2017 to date in the attached. Please note that the 2024 information is not yet available.
The overall amount allocated to the Student Assistance fund from 2010 to 2015 has been included in the information provided. If Deputy requires the breakdown by institution from 2010 to 2016 this will take additional time to collect and collate.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
856. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of capital spent from the islands allocation of her Department and predecessor Departments in each of the years 1998 to 2023 and to date in 2024, broken down between piers and marine works, roads, coastal protection, health facilities, community facilities, sports and recreational facilities, power, education, and others, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36053/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, access between the islands and the mainland is the most fundamental requirement for those living on our offshore islands and is a lifeline for island communities. Access impacts on every aspect of island life, including health and welfare services, education, employment, social and family life, and business.
Physical connectivity to the mainland depends on the availability of transport services along with safe piers and landing facilities both on the islands and on the mainland. Notable improvements have been made over the years through significant State investment in major pier construction projects, which are included in the expenditure figures outlined below.
The Government has given a commitment in Our Living Islands - the national islands policy and action plan which I launched last summer - to continue to invest in essential infrastructure serving our islands.
This includes the pier developments on Inis Oírr and on Inis Meáin in Co. Galway and at Machaire Rabhartaigh, Co. Donegal serving Toraigh, all of which are identified in the National Development Plan and are at varying stages of development.
In addition, my Department continues to fund an annual programme of minor capital works on the islands to be delivered in conjunction with the relevant local authorities.
The table below sets out the islands capital expenditure per annum since 1998, as requested by the Deputy.
|
Year |
Piers |
Roads |
Aerodomes / Helipads |
Buildings/ Facilities |
Coastal protection |
Power / Lighting |
Other |
Total Expenditure |
|
1998 |
834,111 |
783,654 |
15,602 |
333,629 |
143,510 |
824,360 |
36,641 |
2,971,506 |
|
1999 |
2,413,583 |
530,355 |
79,254 |
78,740 |
157,480 |
0 |
18,415 |
3,277,826 |
|
2000 |
781,027 |
1,409,226 |
69,186 |
1,590,192 |
164,783 |
0 |
144,599 |
4,159,012 |
|
2001 |
1,860,254 |
1,635,130 |
197,084 |
456,154 |
734,060 |
5,245 |
114,142 |
5,002,070 |
|
2002 |
2,343,106 |
819,639 |
66,694 |
100,190 |
517,866 |
37,918 |
148,819 |
4,034,232 |
|
2003 |
3,249,109 |
555,618 |
104,069 |
304,769 |
116,056 |
37,037 |
0 |
4,366,657 |
|
2004 |
9,031,220 |
530,196 |
449,068 |
178,899 |
120,110 |
30,967 |
18,643 |
10,359,104 |
|
2005 |
5,157,952 |
563,262 |
181,047 |
453,007 |
97,482 |
10,774 |
127,955 |
6,591,479 |
|
2006 |
3,614,126 |
1,154,126 |
30,770 |
289,580 |
374,924 |
0 |
174,109 |
5,637,634 |
|
2007 |
14,724,167 |
847,353 |
1,741,206 |
575,277 |
26,091 |
10,000 |
85,550 |
18,009,644 |
|
2008 |
25,664,692 |
1,168,801 |
5,156,355 |
595,666 |
53,255 |
0 |
202,587 |
32,841,356 |
|
2009 |
17,772,964 |
207,855 |
1,028,427 |
361,457 |
102,131 |
5,000 |
65,166 |
19,543,000 |
|
2010 |
9,935,350 |
94,208 |
636,539 |
128,134 |
8,500 |
0 |
0 |
10,802,732 |
|
2011 |
3,215,897 |
0 |
273,851 |
0 |
0 |
66,000 |
0 |
3,555,748 |
|
2012 |
527,773 |
92,104 |
131,043 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
34,429 |
785,349 |
|
2013 |
344,625 |
239,300 |
42,005 |
0 |
0 |
11,500 |
33,770 |
671,200 |
|
2014 |
301,935 |
93,480 |
238,393 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
8,692 |
642,500 |
|
2015 |
307,500 |
79,915 |
245,960 |
0 |
0 |
7,500 |
0 |
640,875 |
|
2016 |
6,069,868 |
512,859 |
52,627 |
0 |
7,833 |
0 |
0 |
6,643,187 |
|
2017 |
78,120 |
1,144,100 |
66,282 |
23,680 |
37,500 |
0 |
38,212 |
1,387,894 |
|
2018 |
227,189 |
585,301 |
142,500 |
10,015 |
27,619 |
0 |
60,867 |
1,053,491 |
|
2019 |
119,767 |
124,220 |
2,758,510 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3,002,497 |
|
2020 |
268,733 |
713,256 |
121,033 |
49,363 |
63,182 |
0 |
1,500 |
1,217,067 |
|
2021 |
233,500 |
1,520,599 |
108,660 |
52,750 |
77,995 |
0 |
0 |
1,993,504 |
|
2022 |
42,297 |
2,069,642 |
1,720,383 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
110,752 |
3,943,074 |
|
2023 |
1,028,488 |
1,219,006 |
1,305,408 |
125,131 |
0 |
0 |
51,173 |
3,729,205 |
|
2024* |
299,879 |
1,855,183 |
0 |
0 |
121,880 |
32,158 |
39,066 |
2,348,166 |
|
TOTAL |
110,447,232 |
20,548,387 |
16,961,956 |
5,706,634 |
2,952,256 |
1,078,459 |
1,515,085 |
159,210,009 |
*The figures for 2024 are based on approvals to date.
857. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the Local Authority Control of Dogs Statistics Report for 2023 will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36062/24]
View answerMy Department has overall policy responsibility for the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 2014. This legislation makes provision for dog licensing arrangements and the functions of dog wardens. Local Authorities have responsibility for all operational matters under the Control of Dogs Acts.
Each year my Department publishes annual statistics in respect of a range of the dog control responsibilities of local authorities. Information up to and including 2022, including numbers of dog licenses issued, by county and in tabular form, is available on the dog control statistics page on gov.ie. The Local Authority Control of Dogs Statistics Report for 2023 is at an advanced stage and I hope to be in a position to publish it shortly.
I very much appreciate all the work of Local Authorities in collating and making these statistics available to my Department. These statistics form the evidence base needed for better policy making and I look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with them in improving national policy in this area.
858. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department has a policy, or has issued guidance to staff on the use of artificial intelligence, large language model, natural language processing, generative or otherwise, or products based thereon in the course of their duties; if this has been communicated to staff; if she will publish same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36147/24]
View answer859. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department, or any agency under her auspices, has ever used any artificial intelligence software in the preparation of response to parliamentary questions, or in responses to any correspondence from outside the organisation; the details of same if applicable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36166/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 858 and 859 together.
Artificial Intelligence tools are not currently used in my Department for drafting Dáil speeches, responding to Parliamentary Questions or replying to external correspondence. All staff in the Department have been informed of the Department's position on this issue.
The overall position in relation to the use of artificial intelligence is that my Department follows the current advice from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) as set out in “Cyber Security Guidance on Generative AI for Public Sector Bodies” published on 1 June 2023.There are 4 agencies under the aegis of my Department: Pobal, The Charities Regulatory Authority, Water Safety Ireland, and the Western Development Commission. Strategic and operational governance, including the adoption or otherwise of generative artificial intelligence tools are a matter for the bodies concerned. As independent legal entities, such bodies are responsible for managing their own corporate affairs in compliance with statutory obligations.
860. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of an application to the community recognition fund for a group (details supplied). [36181/24]
View answerThe 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. I was delighted to announce a further €50 million in funding under the Community Recognition Fund on March 15th last.
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 at a local level. The closing date for receipt of applications under phase 1 was May 31st last, with the subsequent phases closing on September 30th, 2024 and January 31st, 2025.
Under this new round of funding, Westmeath has been awarded funding of €1,740,646 which brings the total funding provided to Westmeath County Council under the Community Recognition Fund to over €3.3 million.
Local authorities are required to engage and collaborate with communities to identify the most appropriate projects for support. It is a matter for each local authority to identify the most appropriate locations for funding based on their analysis of the level of arrivals in each location and in the context of previous funding supports and local needs.
I understand that Westmeath County Council received an application from the group referred to by the Deputy and this application is currently being reviewed by them as part of their evaluation of projects under phase 2.
It will then determine which applications to propose to my Department for further consideration. It is expected that the successful projects under phase 2 will be announced before the end of the year.
861. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to her announcement of a ban on XL Bully dogs, if there will be a mechanism post-1 February 2025 whereby a person can apply for a certificate of exemption should an existing owner become unable to adequately care for their pet necessitating re-homing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36258/24]
View answer862. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if any supports will be made available to the owners of XL Bully dogs regarding costs arising from her Department’s ban on the breed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36259/24]
View answer863. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to her announcement of a ban on XL Bully dogs, her definition of XL Bully; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36260/24]
View answer864. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if animal shelters are required to microchip and neuter dogs; if additional resources will be provided should there be an increase in the number of XL Bully dogs in their care arising from her Department’s ban; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36261/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 861, 862, 863 and 864 together.
My Department has overall policy responsibility for the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 and the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 2014. As the Deputy will be aware, animal welfare and microchipping is under the remit of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). My Department is working with DAFM to co-ordinate efforts in the area of dog control across government.
I recently announced a ban on XL Bully dogs in the interest of public safety following a number of recent horrific attacks. The ban will be implemented in the following 2 stages.
From October 1st 2024, new regulations will prohibit the importing, breeding, selling and re-homing of XL Bully dogs.
From February 1st 2025, it will be illegal to own an XL Bully dog without a ‘Certificate of Exemption’.
The regulation will detail a system of 'Certificates of Exemption' for XL Bully dog owners who wish to keep their XL Bully dog. There will be a 4 month period between the 1st October 2024 and the 31st January 2025, where these owners will be able to apply for a 'Certificate of Exemption' in order to keep their XL Bully dog.
For consistency across jurisdictions, Ireland will be using the physical conformation standard applied in both the UK and Northern Ireland. While there are a series of subjective criteria contained in this standard to support the identification of an XL Bully dog, there is one size criteria that is definitive. In order to be classified as an XL Bully type dog, the following height criteria will apply:
• An adult male dog, has a height of not less than 51cm (20 inches) as measured at the withers
• An adult female dog, has a height of not less than 48cm (19 inches) as measured at the withers
The withers, in relation to a dog, means the highest point of the body of the dog that is immediately behind the neck of the dog.
There will be a mechanism in the regulation to allow for an updated 'Certificate of Exemption' to be issued, should the existing owner die or become incapacitated and unable to care for their XL Bully dog.
The application process for a 'Certificate of Exemption' will be managed by local authorities. Details of the conformation standard, further information on the criteria to qualify, and any support schemes will be available on gov.ie shortly. However, as I previously announced in July, all XL Bully dog owners will be required to Licence, Microchip and Neuter their XL Bully dogs.
The regulation will be enforced within the framework of the primary legislation - in this case, the Control of Dogs Act 1986 and 2014. In this context, local authorities, through the Dog Warden Service will be responsible for its enforcement.
In addition, I recently announced €2 million in capital funding to local authorities to expand and improve their dog pounds and dog warden facilities. This funding is in addition to €2 million I announced for dog warden facilities in November last year (2023). This funding comes as a direct response to increased pressures on dog control services and will make immediate and tangible improvements to the dog control service across the country.
865. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the way the legislation being introduced on 1 October 2024 regarding XL Bully dogs deals with animals that are healthy, have no history of aggression, have been surrendered to a shelter and would otherwise be deemed suitable for re-homing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36407/24]
View answerI recently announced a ban on XL Bully dogs in the interest of public safety following a number of recent horrific attacks. The ban will be implemented in the following 2 stages.
From October 1st 2024, new regulations will prohibit the importing, breeding, selling and re-homing of XL Bully dogs.
From February 1st 2025, it will be illegal to own an XL Bully dog without a ‘Certificate of Exemption’.
The regulation will detail a system of Certificates of Exemption for XL Bully dog owners who wish to keep their XL Bully dogs. There will be a 4 month period between the 1st October 2024 and the 31st January 2025, where these owners will be able to apply for a Certificate of Exemption in order to keep their XL Bully dogs.
The application process for a Certificate of Exemption will be managed by Local Authorities. Details of the conformation standard and further information on the criteria to qualify will be available on gov.ie shortly. However, as I previously announced in July, all XL Bully dog owners will be required to License, Microchip and Neuter their XL Bully dogs.
After 1st February 2025, any owner not compliant with the new regulations will have their dog seized and euthanised.
Similar measures have been recently announced in both the UK and Northern Ireland.
866. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her views on the creation of a national body for social enterprise, similar to the multi-annual funding model for an organisation (details supplied); the steps she intends to take to implement this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36410/24]
View answerSocial enterprises are businesses that work primarily to improve the lives of people, with any surpluses generated re-invested into achieving their core social objectives.
They frequently work to support disadvantaged groups such as the long-term unemployed, people with disabilities, and the Traveller community, or to address issues such as food poverty, social housing, or environmental matters.
In July 2024 The Government launched its second National Social Enterprise Policy, ‘Trading for Impact’. As with the first National Social Enterprise Policy published in 2019, ‘Trading for Impact’ was developed in partnership with the social enterprise sector, after widespread consultation with the sector and an open national public consultation process.
Currently there is no provision in ‘Trading for Impact ’ for the creation of a national body for social enterprise. However, I would like to acknowledge the significant role that a number of representative bodies for social enterprise and social entrepreneurs have played at both policy and operational level in supporting the growth and advancement of the sector. As the sector matures, there is a more immediate rationale for a greater level of co-ordination and consolidation of that representation.
Action 49 of ‘Trading for Impact’ commits to ‘Enhance the co-ordination and consolidation of social enterprise representative bodies’. To this end, the Department of Rural and Community Development will continue to work with representative groups to consider ways in which the sector can be supported to achieve this objective.
At present the only multi-annual funding that my Department provides to support national organisations is the Scheme to Support National (SSNO).
This provides multi-annual funding towards core costs of national organisations delivering services and supports, with a focus on one or more of the following: addressing poverty, social exclusion and promoting equality.
The current three-year scheme commenced on 1 July 2022 and is scheduled to cease on 30 June 2025. A new iteration of the scheme is under consideration and further information, including relevant application and assessment information, will be available in due course.
867. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the key capital investments made by her Department in County Meath in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and the amount of investment in each case and under what scheme, in tabular form. [36500/24]
View answerMy Department operates a large number of both current and capital schemes aimed at supporting both rural development and community development throughout the country. Since 2022 Meath has been allocated approximately €25 million in funding through the various capital and current schemes operated by my Department, and I have been pleased to allocate in excess of €40 million to Co. Meath since this Government was formed.
The main capital investments provided by my Department are through the rural development programme, which is underpinned by the national rural development policy, Our Rural Future 2021-2025 and other policy documents such as the Town Centre First policy. The key capital investment programmes include:
• the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF)
• LEADER
• the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS)
• the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS)
• the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS)
• the CLÁR programme
• the Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF), and
• the Community Recognition Fund (CRF).
There are also a range of other smaller supports including the Local Enhancement Programme (LEP)/ Community Enhancement Programme (CEP), the Walks Scheme, Tidy Towns, Connected Hubs and Broadband Connection Points. The majority of funding under the rural development programme is channelled through local authorities and other public bodies.
Some examples of key capital projects funded through these schemes in Meath are:
• the Dunshaughlin Courthouse and Town Centre which was allocated over €950,000 under the RRDF
• the Enfield Community and Enterprise Hub which was also allocated over €720,000 under the RRDF
• Ratoath was allocated €400,000 under the T&VRS to purchase a building for development as a small park and community building
• the Nobber-Castletown Greenway was allocated €500,000 under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.
• under the CCIF, Kilcloon Community Centre was allocated over €1.9 million for a new centre
• Dunderry Kilbride and Robinstown Community Hall were allocated €300,000 for refurbishment, also under the CCIF
In addition to capital investment, my Department also provides a wide range of current supports to ensure communities are supported and empowered. The main community development programme supports are the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), the Community Services Programme (CSP) and supports for the community and voluntary sector and participatory structures.
Funding allocated to County Meath under the key capital investment programmes over the past number of years is provided in the attached spreadsheet.
Information in relation to the broad range of schemes, and all allocations made under these schemes, are available on my Department’s website www.gov.ie/drcd .
868. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount spent on projects under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund within County Carlow in 2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36556/24]
View answerThe Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns, 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 ready to proceed. Category 2 provides grant funding to enable the development of project proposals suitable for future calls for Category 1 applications.
In Carlow, RRDF funding of €3.5 million has been allocated to 4 projects. Of these, two projects are now completed, the Borris Railway Viaduct project and the Rathvilly Vision Category 2 project.
Carlow County Council was successful under the recent 5th Call for funding in their application for the School House Community & Enterprise Centre project in Rathvilly. On the 13th May 2024, I allocated funding of almost €2.2 million to this Category 1 project. This project will follow on from a previous Category 2 project and will redevelop the former school building in the centre of Rathvilly into a multi-purpose community hub.
I plan to announce a further call for Category 2 RRDF applications later this year.
The details requested by the Deputy are set out in the table below.
Co Carlow RRDF Projects
|
Year Funding Awarded |
Category |
Project Name |
Lead Body |
Location |
Status |
Total RRDFFunding Allocated |
Total Expenditure to date* |
Expenditure2023 |
Expenditure2024 |
|
2018 |
1 |
Borris Railway Viaduct |
Carlow County Council |
Borris |
Project Completed |
€634,588 |
€634,588 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
2019 |
2 |
Altamont House and Gardens |
Office of Public Works |
Ballon |
Implementation |
€450,000 |
€114,287 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
2022 |
2 |
Vision Rathvilly 2040 |
Carlow County Council |
Rathvilly |
Project Completed |
€222,394 |
€208,710 |
€121,915.11 |
€12,876.34 |
|
2024 |
1 |
School House Community & Enterprise Centre, Rathvilly |
Carlow County Council |
Rathvilly |
Due Diligence |
€2,189,908 |
€0 |
€0 |
869. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 43 of 20 June 2024, the progress made to date with respect to the development of a project (details supplied); when she expects the project to be completed; the amount of project funding made available and drawn down so far under the rural regeneration and development fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36686/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund is a strategic capital investment fund that is key to the delivery of Ireland's rural development policy, Our Rural Future 2021-2025.
The Youghal Public Library project has been awarded funding of just over €4 million under the third Call for Category 1 proposals to the Fund in 2021. The project will renovate and extend derelict buildings and a site on Youghal's North Main Street to provide a new library and revitalised streetscape.
As stated in my response in June 2024, Cork County Council has advised my Department that, since the funding was approved in 2021, the condition of the building has deteriorated further and some fundamental structural issues relating to internal floors have come to light.
Cork County Council has confirmed that the initial preparation work required in order to demolish unsafe structures and stabilise the remaining structures has commenced. Demolition and other works have been commissioned and will commence next week and take approximately 20 weeks to complete.
The Council has indicated that the substantive tender to deliver the project will be advertised following completion of these works. The project is estimated to be completed in Q4 2026. The amount of RRDF funding drawn down to date for the project is €224,642. Further drawdowns are expected before the end of 2024 with the bulk of the funding to be drawn down in 2025 and 2026.
Given the benefits that this project can deliver to the community in Youghal, I have instructed my officials to remain in ongoing contact with Cork County to support the delivery of this important project.
870. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she plans to allocate Clár funding again in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36687/24]
View answerThe CLÁR Programme provides funding for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas. 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 2024 CLÁR programme was launched on the 12th April last. The measures to be included in the CLÁR programme are reviewed and revised, if appropriate, each year.
The measures being funded under CLÁR 2024 are:
• Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities & Amenities (funding up to €50,000)
• Measure 2: Mobility, Cancer Care, First Responder and Meals on Wheels Transport (funding up to €100,000)
• Measure 3: Our Islands (funding up to €120,000)
Last week I announced funding of €2.1 million for 48 vehicles under Measure 2 of the scheme. The successful projects under the other measures will be announced in the coming weeks.
I expect to launch the 2025 CLÁR programme in Quarter 1 of 2025.
871. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her position on the recommendation by an organisation (details supplied) to increase the audit exemption threshold for charities from €250,000 to €500,000 to reduce costs for social enterprises; and if she will take steps to address this financial burden [36692/24]
View answerOur charity sector is an important and valued part of Irish society, playing an integral role in the provision of services to our communities. This includes many social enterprises, active across many sectors such as childcare, housing, health, food, tourism, recycling, transportation, and arts and culture.
The Charities Amendment Act 2024 (‘the Act’) revises and updates existing charity legislation, and is a key step to allow for the appropriate regulation, particularly financial regulation, of the sector.
The Act seeks to improve the ability of the Charities Regulator to conduct its statutory functions, providing greater transparency, clarity and fairness in terms of the regulation of charities, leading to greater public trust and confidence in the sector.
Section 18 of the Act increases the financial limit that can be set out in Ministerial regulations in respect of the requirement for charities to conduct an audit. I can confirm that in the regulations to accompany the commencement of this section, the threshold of exemption for charities to conduct an audit will be set at €500,000.
The individual sections of the Act, including section 18, will be commenced in a timely and efficient manner, taking into account the operational impacts on the Charities Regulator and the charity sector respectively.
Separately, I want to highlight the recently launched Trading for Impact: the National Social Enterprise Policy 2024-2027 , which contains a policy objective dedicated to growing and sustaining social enterprise.
This objective focuses on actions that will allow social enterprises to benefit from supports to improve their growth and sustainability. This includes improving access to existing enterprise supports, developing new tailored supports, improving opportunities for access to markets, and improving the capabilities of social enterprises.
