Written Answers Nos. 121-135
121. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the next round of CLÁR funding will open for developing community facilities and amenities grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14388/25]
View answerThe CLÁR programme provides targeted investment for small scale infrastructural projects in defined rural areas. In recent years Measure 1 of the programme has funded the development of community facilities and amenities, with €11.4 million approved last year for over 260 projects.
The focus of the 2025 scheme is currently being reviewed by my officials and I expect to launch the 2025 CLÁR scheme in the coming weeks.
122. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to address the need to resource and future-proof the public participation network by ensuring adequate core funding and staff resourcing to meet their workload. [14513/25]
View answerA Public Participation Network (PPN) provides representation for the community sector in Local Authority policymaking structures, giving local volunteers a greater say in local government decisions which affect their own communities.
PPNs were established following the enactment of the Local Government Reform Act 2014. There are now 31 PPNs across the country, feeding into local policies and strategies and providing peer networks and connections between local community organisations. As their membership numbers have grown, the activities of PPNs have evolved and the expectations of them have also changed.
The core funding provided by my Department for PPNs has also grown over the years:
- Between 2015 and 2018, PPNs could claim up to €50,000 each.
- In 2019, that increased by €25,700 to €75,700.
- In 2023, there was a further funding increase of €10,000 per PPN to €85,700. That increase was maintained in Budget 2024.
- In 2025, another additional increase in core funding has been allocated to each PPN, bringing the total funding from my Department to €100,540, more than double the original allocation of 2015.
It should be noted that Local Authorities also contribute a minimum of €35,000 for their PPN each year.
In addition to funding increases, and to better understand the impact of the growth of PPNs, my Department recently undertook a comprehensive review of PPN structures. The report on this structural review was published in 2022. It highlighted the PPNs’ many achievements to date and also identified opportunities to further support their long-term sustainability.
A Working Group was established to develop and implement a Roadmap of future actions for PPNs. Its members come from a range of PPN stakeholder groups, including PPN staff and volunteers, civil society groups, local authorities and relevant government departments. The recommendations from the structural review, with additional actions identified by the sector, are included in a new PPN Roadmap published last year. The Working Group has remained in place to progress its implementation.
Among the 38 Roadmap actions agreed by the Working Group, two relate specifically to core funding. The remaining 36 actions are concerned with governance, communications, co-ordination, and training and support needs of volunteers and staff.
I remain committed to supporting PPNs so that communities across Ireland can continue to participate in local decision making processes.
125. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the total number of Men's Sheds and Women's Sheds currently operating in Ireland; what financial and practical supports are available to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14543/25]
View answerMy Department provides funding to Men's Sheds and Women’s (Sister) Sheds under various funding supports, including:
• The €7 million Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) 2025 which allowed Men's Sheds and Women’s Sheds to apply for running costs as well as small capital works for the purchase of equipment for their facilities. LEP 2025 has recently closed for applications.
• The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2024 - 2028 also provides supports to Men's Sheds and Women’s Sheds. This support is still available through SICAP.
• The Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO) - The Irish Men’s Sheds Association (IMSA) has been allocated total funding of €283,684 over the three-years and 6 month period of the scheme.
• The LEADER programme where funding is not targeted at any particular group or sector in rural communities but is focused on a thematic approach to rural development. Both Men’s and Women’s Shed maybe eligible to apply.
Men’s Sheds apply individually for most of the schemes mentioned above. Funding was channeled by my Department through the Irish Men’s Sheds Association (IMSA) in 2022 and 2023 and was distributed directly to the Men’s Sheds by that organisation. My Department does not keep a central register of Men’s Sheds and Women’s Sheds.
As it is the central body for Men’s Sheds, I would advise the Deputy to contact the IMSA for the number of Men’s sheds currently operating in Ireland. As there is no overarching Women’s/Sister Sheds organisation at present, details of Women’s Sheds who have received funding through my Department can be located on the website, www.gov.ie/drcd.
127. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount budgeted for the local improvement scheme in 2025 for County Cork; to provide details of the demand for this scheme in County Cork and the financial allocation for 2025 to Cork local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14617/25]
View answerThe Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports improving non-public rural roads and laneways not usually maintained by local authorities. Since its establishment in 2017, almost €170 million has been provided by the Government to local authorities for LIS.
In April 2024, €40 million in funding was announced for LIS across all local authorities to cover 2024/2025. My officials have recently opened the administration of the 2025 Local Improvement Scheme and invited local authorities to submit their lists of priority roads.
Given LIS is intended to support the upkeep of rural roads, Cork City Council does not form part of the scheme. Since 2017, Cork County Council has been allocated a total of €12.99 million in funding. This figure includes the 2024/2025 allocation of €2.87 million. During this period Cork County Council has improved 264 non-public roads. At year end 2024, the Council indicated that it has 175 roads awaiting works under the scheme.
The Programme for Government commits to the provision of additional funding for the LIS. In terms of annual funding allocations to LIS, a review of the scheme is carried out by Department officials ahead of any new funding announcements in order to ensure allocations across our local authorities are made as fairly and efficiently as possible. My Department officials also work closely with local authorities to ensure that funding is fully utilised. As has been the case in recent years, I will continue to monitor capital expenditure across my Department as the year progresses with a view to utilising any savings which may arise for schemes such as the LIS
129. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the reason a community centre (details supplied) was not selected for funding under the recent tranche of the community centres investment fund; if specific feedback will be made available to the committee to support future applications; if there is an appeals mechanism in place under this funding scheme; if further funding opportunities will be made available in 2025 to support community centres seeking capital investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14575/25]
View answerThe Community Centre Investment Fund has provided in excess of €109 million since 2022 for the enhancement and refurbishment of existing community centres and the construction of new centres.
Over €33 million has now been approved for in excess of 770 projects nationwide under the 2024 fund. However, given the very significant level of demand, not all applications were successful.
The facility referenced by the Deputy submitted an application under category 2 of the 2024 fund seeking support of €45,000 for enhancement works on the facility. The application reached the minimum scoring threshold required to be eligible for consideration but did not score high enough to be successful on this occasion.
Correspondence is now issuing to all unsuccessful applicants. The community centre referred to by the Deputy is being offered an opportunity to avail of a feedback call which will clearly explain the basis for the decision and areas where the application can be strengthened.
There is also an opportunity to appeal the outcome of this application process and this will also be outlined during any feedback call.
I am committed to delivering further iterations of the scheme in the coming years in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government for this to become a permanent rolling fund.
In addition all unsuccessful groups may wish to explore other potential funding options supported by my Department, including the LEADER programme, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the CLÁR programme. Details of these and other schemes are available on the Department’s website.
130. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if an expanded range of technologies will be considered for inclusion in the seniors alert scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14574/25]
View answer434. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide an update on the senior alerts scheme; the number of schemes operating in the country; the number of applications for the past three years; if there are plans to change or enhance the seniors alert scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14930/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 130 and 434 together.
My 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 for the purchase, via a registered community based-organisation, of a personal alarm or pendant.
Pobal has administered the scheme on behalf of my Department since 2015, with over 140,000 approved participants since then. I am pleased to say that in recent years, demand for the Seniors Alert Scheme has continued, with over 18,200 new participants approved for the Scheme in 2024. There are 629 active approved community organisations involved in the scheme.
The number of approved participants over the past three years are shown in the table below:
|
Year |
Number of approved participants |
|
2024 |
18,232 |
|
2023 |
17,032 |
|
2022 |
15,577 |
The current version of the scheme came into effect in September 2021 and introduced a new key feature in the additional option of a digital alarm, for use with web based connections.
The scheme has been using multi-network SIMs since September 2021 which ensures the devices can use the network with the strongest signal in the vicinity when the alarm is raised. Also, since 2021, the devices installed provide between 24 and 48 hours battery life to ensure that they can still operate during localised power cuts.
Officials in my department are currently working with Pobal in advance of a new iteration of the scheme, which will take account of new and developing technologies. This will ensure that emerging developments in the sector can be incorporated into the scheme going forward and that the scheme meets the needs of participants for many years to come.
133. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the progress of the disbursement of funding by his Department under the dormant accounts action plan for this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14370/25]
View answerMy Department published the 2025 Dormant Accounts Fund Action Plan in November 2024. It outlines measures and funding across 10 Departments, with total funding of €44.8 million to support 51 measures. These measures progress throughout the year, with funding generally drawn down from the Dormant Accounts Fund towards the end of year as measures complete.
Each Department is responsible for their own measures and the timeframe for disbursements. At this point in the year detailed information on the progress of disbursements for 2025 would not yet be available to my Department. In 2024, a total of €44.8 million was disbursed from the fund across all participating Departments. Recent years have seen high levels of disbursement from the fund, with measures across Departments generally progressing well.
Further information on the Dormant Accounts Fund, including all published Action Plans and Annual Reports, is available on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/769773-dormant-accounts-fund-annual-action-plans-and-reports/. The annual reports provide full detail on the disbursement of funds each year.
134. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will consider an initiative to enhance skill building in communities without a community association or centre. [14507/25]
View answerMy Department has a strong focus on building the capacity of organisations within the community and voluntary sector. One of the strategic objectives of the Government's strategy for the community and voluntary sector Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities, is to develop the capacity of organisations supporting communities, with a specific focus on marginalised communities. An integrated project working with local authorities and other local stakeholders to improve the engagement of marginalised communities in local planning and decision making, was recently concluded. The project, which was funded under the Dormant Accounts Fund, ran a number of pilots as well as developing resources and toolkits, including a resource guide, 'A Guide for Inclusive Community Engagement in Local Planning and Decision Making'. A video to complement the guide was produced and published in November last.
I would also note the importance of the structures that are in place at local authority level to support and co-ordinate community development. The Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) were established with the objective of putting people and communities at the centre of delivery at local government level. A key function of the LCDCs is to prepare the community elements of the 6-year Local Economic and Community Plans (LECPs). The LECP plans also outline how each local authority plans to foster community development and local involvement in decision-making processes at local level. I encourage all community groups to regularly engage with their LCDC and avail of the supports that are available.
Another initiative under the Government's strategy was the undertaking of a comprehensive Training Needs Assessment, specific to the needs of small community and voluntary organisations, which was completed in October last. I am committed to working with the community sector in building resilience, skills development and capacity among community and voluntary groups and it is my Department’s intention to work with the sector to implement the recommendations of the training needs assessment report in order to meet the identified needs.
In addition, the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) is our country’s primary social inclusion programme, which aims to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion and equality by supporting disadvantaged communities and individuals. This is a national programme that is delivered in both rural and urban areas by Local Development Companies (LDCs) to help those in the greatest need. The work of SICAP is of huge importance to communities across Ireland in tackling the issues they face, linking in directly with the agreed objectives of LECPs.
SICAP (2024 - 2028) has a renewed focus on building capacity in community representative structures, establishing new community groups and social enterprises, and empowering communities to lead out on identifying their own needs, through a new dedicated core area of work called Community Animation. The supports are provided by community development workers based on needs identified at a local level. The funding for the programme has increased by €9.8 million over the last 4 years, with annual funding for 2025 now totalling €48.9m.
Further information on the resource guide, the training needs assessment report and all funding schemes is available on my Department's website gov.ie
135. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the local enhancement programme will open for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14378/25]
View answerLast November, my Department launched the Local Enhancement Programme 2025 (LEP), with funding of €7 million to assist community groups across the country. The LEP is targeted to the specific challenges facing local community groups and delivers immediate, tangible supports where they are needed most.
There was a particular focus on small capital works/improvements, and 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.
LEP 2025 also included a current funding element to assist community groups with their running and operation costs.
The LEP is administered locally on behalf of my Department by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) across the country, with support from their local authority.
The Local Enhancement Programme 2025 closed to applications on the 7th March 2025. My officials are currently awaiting the lists of approved projects under the LEP 2025 to be submitted by the LCDCs. I expect to announce details of successful projects in early May and they will be available on my Department's website www.gov.ie/drcd.
Details of any future iterations of the Local Enhancement Programme, including the allocations available, have not yet been confirmed and will be dependent on available resources within my Department.
