Written Answers Nos. 847-868
847. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether subsidiary companies of universities and colleges also fall under his aegis; whether such entities are considered public sector bodies; whether public sector procurement and pay rules apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15488/25]
View answerUniversities, Technological Universities (TUs) and Institutes of Technology (IoTs) have the ability to establish or hold shares in companies under their relevant sectoral legislation.
In the case of the Universities Act 1997 (as amended) and the Institutes of Technology Acts, 1992 – 2006 (as amended), Universities and IoT have the ability to establish subsidiaries without requiring Ministerial approval. Under the Technological Universities Act 2018, Ministerial approval is required for a TU to form or hold shares in companies formed by TUs within certain classes of activities.
There is no single definition of ‘public sector body’ under the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies. Many of the criteria used to define such bodies do not apply to a subsidiary, therefore, we believe that they may not be considered as a public sector body. Governance, oversight and responsibility for such entities rest with the Governing Body of each Higher Education Institution (HEI).
If a subsidiary is subject to audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG), they may be required to account to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in respect of those transactions, then the Chief Officer of a University, TU or IoT may be required to account to the PAC the regularity and propriety of its financial transactions recorded or required to be recorded in any book or other record of account subject to audit by the C&AG that the designated HEI is required to prepare.
The HEA requires an Annual Governance Statement (AGS) from each designated HEI, which includes confirmations from designated HEIs in respect of subsidiaries. This includes confirmations relating to:
• Governing Body oversight,
• Disclosures of any costs to the Exchequer, and
• Compliance with public sector procurement arising from financing provided to subsidiaries.
Additionally, as part of the Annual Oversight Agreement required by the HEA, each designated HEI must confirm that it operates in line with statutory requirements and the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, which extends to subsidiaries. The Chief Officer is also required to keep the HEA informed in a timely manner of any governance issues, concerns or major risks affecting the Institution.
Employees of HEI subsidiary companies are not considered to be public servants and are therefore not covered by public sector pay rules.
848. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether any public bodies or publicly funded bodies under his aegis are not compliant with Part V of the Disability Act 2005; whether Part V applies to subsidiaries of universities and colleges; whether, in cases where it does not, he has the powers to extend such a requirement, either through Ministerial order or through funding requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15489/25]
View answerPart V of the Disability Act 2005 requires public bodies to report on their compliance regarding the employment of persons with disabilities.
My Department assumed responsibility for Part 5 reporting in 2021 and submits its reports to the National Disability Authority each year in respect of the returns for the public bodies under its aegis.
In 2022 all public bodies under the aegis of the Department of Further & Higher Education, Research, Innovation & Science were deemed to be compliant under Part 5, as per the report published by the National Disability Authority, nda.ie/uploads/publications/Report-on-Compliance-with-Part-5-for-2022-English.pdf
I understand that the Part 5 report for 2023 could be expected to be published before the end of 2025.
The following public bodies are under the aegis of My Department:
IADT Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design & Technology.
TUS Technological University of the Shannon.
SETU South East Technological University.
MTU Munster Technological University.
DKIT Dundalk Institute of technology.
ATU Atlantic Technological University.
TUD Technological University Dublin.
NCAD National College of Art and Design.
Léargas.
QQI Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI).
SOLAS.
Skillnet Ireland.
Taighde Eireann (formerly SFI and IRC).
HEA Higher Education Authority.
In support of Government policy to promote increased employment of persons with disabilities, and in the spirit of the legislation, my Department has also collected returns from the following bodies not deemed as public bodies under the aegis of my Department:
GDA Grangegorman Development Agency.
RIA Royal Irish Academy.
DCU Dublin City University.
MIC Mary Immaculate College.
MU Maynooth University.
NUI National University of Ireland.
UG University of Galway.
RIA Royal Irish Academy.
TCD Trinity College Dublin.
UCC University College Cork.
UCD University College Dublin.
UL University of Limerick.
849. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the funding support available to a person (details supplied); if their SUSI application will be reconsidered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15630/25]
View answerOne of the criteria in the student grant scheme relates to 'progression'. This means that a student must be moving from year to year within a course, having successfully completed the previous year or be transferring from one course to another, where the award for the subsequent course is of a higher level than the previous course. The objective of this policy is to help as many students as possible to obtain one qualification at each level of study.
The student referred to by the Deputy is currently pursuing a Level 9 qualification (2024/25 academic year) and the student was previously awarded a Level 9 qualification in the 2021/22 academic year.
As the student already holds a qualification at Level 9, they are not eligible for funding at the same level again.
Students experiencing exceptional financial need may be eligible to apply for supports under the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) which has been supplemented by a further €10m under the cost of education supports in Budget 2025. 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. Students in need of support should contact the Access Office in the higher education institution they attend to check what supports may be available.
In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be available in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. More information on the tax credit and the tax treatment of students generally is available from the Revenue Commissioners on Students (revenue.ie) or from your local Tax Office.
850. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update regarding the new campus for Kilkenny College of Further Education and Training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15641/25]
View answerKilkenny Carlow Education and Training Board (KCETB) submitted a proposal for a development in Kilkenny as part of the Further Education and Training (FET) College of the Future Major Projects Fund. The proposal put forward by KCETB is one of twelve projects that are currently being progressed under this fund.
In September 2024 following an evaluation process, six proposals including the KCETB proposal met the relevant criteria and were approved to move to the next stage of development, the Pre-tender – Project Design, Planning and Procurement Strategy Stage. SOLAS continues to engage with these six ETBs around further developing their proposals and associated schedules of accommodation. Work has also begun on the development of standardised procurement and tender documents as part of this stage of development.
851. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will increase the core funding for higher education institutions and ensure that it is index linked going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15701/25]
View answerThe provision of Higher Education funding on an annual basis is part of overall expenditure management and budgetary policy for Government. As such, indexing does not apply.
In 2025 the planned recurrent grant allocation for the sector totals €1.667 billion. This is an increase of more than €541 million, or 48%, compared to the 2019 outturn in the year prior to the formation of my Department.
This additional funding was provided to advance various measures including sector sustainability in line with the Funding the Future framework, to provide additional places in key skills areas and to meet demographic demand. It also includes funding to meet public sector pay agreements.
To address the query on delivering core funding increases into the future, I draw the Deputy’s attention to the Funding the Future framework. This policy supports the sustainability of higher education institutions in alignment with strategic priorities defined in the framework, alongside efforts to address the cost of education.
In line with this policy, we have already secured significant additional funding for the sector in the last three Budgets. As of 2025 we will have allocated an additional €164.4 million under the Funding the Future policy with a further commitment of €100 million from the National Training Fund in the coming years. This multi-annual commitment offers a clear path to realising the additional funding envisaged in the policy.
I will be advocating for continued exchequer investment in future estimates processes to deliver on priority commitments, including on priorities such as healthcare places and tertiary programmes.
852. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will extend the free fees initiative to the BSc programmes in education studies and early childhood education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15704/25]
View answerUnder the Free Fees Initiative (FFI), the State provides funding toward the tuition fee costs of eligible undergraduate students who are attending approved courses. In the 2023/24 academic year, there were over 143,000 students who benefited from the FFI.
Currently FFI approved courses are restricted to full-time undergraduate courses in the public higher education system and a limited number of designated courses in private, not for profit institutions.
A range of public and private higher education institutions currently offer full time undergraduate programmes in education studies and early childhood education. Many of these courses are already part of the FFI. I am aware that courses in these areas are also on offer in the private higher education sector, outside of the FFI. As the Deputy will appreciate, due to the finite resources available, it is not possible for my Department to fund all courses provided by private institutions.
It remains open to private colleges to apply for State funding through competitive call processes, such as Springboard+, to provide courses in response to national skills needs.
853. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will ensure that Marino Institute of Education is recognised as eligible for the various additional funding streams provided for by the HEA (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15705/25]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that Marino Institute of Education (MIE) is a private higher education institution. MIE is not in receipt of core funding from my Department. However, I understand that it receives some limited funding for approved teacher training activities from the Department of Education.
MIE is an approved institution for SUSI grants purposes. It is also an approved institution for other access measures including the Student Assistance Fund and the Fund for Students with Disabilities. Students who meet the relevant eligibility criteria can apply to SUSI for grant support. Those in need of additional supports, can apply to the access office in MIE for advice on what other supports are available in the college.
It is open to the MIE to apply for funding through competitive call processes such as Springboard+ or other HEA funding calls to provide courses in response to national skill needs.
Outside of these competitive calls, there are no plans to extend funding to MIE.
854. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will ensure that Marino Institute of Education is allocated devolved grant funding for campus maintenance and sustainability initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15706/25]
View answerMarino Institute of Education (MIE) is a private higher education institution.
MIE is not in receipt of core funding from my Department. However, I understand that it receives some limited funding for approved teacher training activities from the Department of Education.
As a private college the day to day operation of the organisation, including issues surrounding campus maintenance and sustainability initiatives are the responsibility of the college administrators to deal with in line with the college’s own criteria.
There are currently no plans to extend capital funding streams to MIE.
855. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to comment on recent suggestions that there will be no further reductions in student fees, which contrasts with the commitment to reduce the student contribution fee over the lifetime of the Government in the Programme for Government; if he can give reassurances that this commitment remains a priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15759/25]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to reducing the student contribution in a financially sustainable manner, over the lifetime of this Government. As part of the cost-of-living packages in the last three budgets, the student contribution was reduced by €1,000 on a temporary basis, at a net cost of circa €99 million per annum. These measures were in response to particular cost of living challenges and were not intended to be a permanent solution.
It is worth extrapolating the figures in totality, a €1,000 reduction equates to nearly €100m, €2,000 reduction to almost €200m, a full abolition in the region of €300m per annum, equating to almost €1.5bn over a term of Government. These are significant figures and I am sure that the deputy would agree that there are competing priorities for these scarce resources.
In looking now at how we continue to address financial burdens for students and their families in a long-term and sustainable way, I am conscious that there are opportunity costs and trade offs associated with any policy option, and so we have to allocate resources in the most effective way possible.
Given the reality is that we have finite resources, I believe this should be done in a targeted way, to ensure that those students most in need will be supported.
In that context, it's important to say that many students and their families do not pay the student contribution because these costs are covered by SUSI grants. In the last academic year, over 43,000 students had their full contribution paid for through SUSI, over 7,600 students received a 50% contribution and more than 16,000 students had a €500 reduction through SUSI. Meaning in excess of 66,600 students in total, or almost half of all free fees students, had their student contributions paid in full or in part by the State.
In addition to those supports, my department paid out €368 million in the last academic year as part of the Free Fees Initiative, which benefited all eligible students, numbering some 143,000 all benefiting from fee supports from the State, and regardless of means.
Notwithstanding all above, no decisions have been made and we are still early in the budget cycle. I am very much open to views and stakeholder feedback and am inviting all interested parties to a cost of education event which I am holding this week.
I will be hearing from students, representatives of the student population, access officers, student services employees, people who work with students on a day-to-day basis, organisations who advocate for underrepresented students in education and policy makers. My aim is to provide an opportunity for all to have their say on the key cost of education issues.
After the event, I intend to publish an options paper, which will identify costs and potential impacts of various policy options aimed at reducing the cost of higher education. This will inform decisions ahead of Budget 2026.
I remain committed to easing the financial burden on students and families in a financially sustainable way.
856. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he plans to implement the recommendations contained in the Review of the Delivery Model of the Seniors Alert Scheme published in 2017, in particular, to extend the scheme’s focus to include boarder aspects of health and wellbeing such as telecare and extend the eligibility criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14917/25]
View answerMy Department is responsible for the Seniors Alert Scheme which encourages community support for vulnerable older people. Participants are provided with a monitored personal alarm, which supports them to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind.
Under the scheme, personal alarms are provided via a registered community based-organisation, encouraging personal engagement at a local community level. Pobal administers the scheme at the national level and has done so since 2015.
The 2017 review referred to by the Deputy found that the Seniors Alert Scheme had served Ireland well and that it represented good value for money. The review made several recommendations around utilisation of the budget, extending eligibility to participate, new technologies and services, and procurement - the majority of which were accepted and implemented at the time.
In terms of eligibility, a decision was made to keep the age requirement at 65 or older, as the main purpose of the Scheme is to enable older persons to live securely in their homes. Notwithstanding this, several recommendations of the review regarding means testing and living arrangements were accepted and led to significant increases in approved annual applications to the scheme, from 12,609 in 2017 to 18,232 in 2024.
With regard to the report’s recommendations around the provision of telehealth and telecare to the broader population, this does not fall under the remit of the Seniors Alert Scheme and requires a whole of government approach – a factor acknowledged in the report.
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 and will ensure that the scheme meets the needs of participants for many years to come.
857. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to examine the case of a facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15008/25]
View answerMy Department has responsibility for policy and legislation in relation to local authority burial grounds while the actual operation of burial grounds is the responsibility of the local authority concerned.Under the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Acts, 1878 to 2001, local authorities are deemed to be burial boards for their respective functional areas. Acting in their capacity as burial boards, local authorities are responsible for the management, regulation and control of burial grounds in their functional areas.
My Department has no role in relation to the management or location of individual cemeteries and the Deputy’s request should be addressed to Kerry County Council.
858. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development about the Government's timeline for transferring responsibilities related to dog control, welfare, and breeding to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and when the Department intends to propose new legislation to rectify the shortcomings in current dog welfare, breeding, and control regulations. [14209/25]
View answer859. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the Government intends to transfer power regarding the control of dogs, dog welfare, and dog breeding to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and when the Department plans to introduce legislation to address the inadequacies of current dog welfare, breeding and control. [14208/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 858 and 859 together.
The Programme for Government sets out how the Government intends to provide for an enhanced approach to dog control issues. In this regard, all legislation and policy in relation to the Control of Dogs, Dog Welfare and Dog Breeding Establishments will rest with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Discussions are currently ongoing between my Department and that Department to implement this Transfer of Functions in a timely manner.
In the meantime, I am fully committed to progressing the work in this area.
With regard to new legislation, a high level stakeholder group was established in 2024 to consider the policy and legislative matters currently under the remit of my Department, specifically the Dog Control Acts and the Dog Breeding Establishments Act.
The stakeholder group meets regularly and its remit includes considering the need for legislative change. This requires 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. The work of the stakeholder group is complex in nature requiring full consideration of all aspects of the relevant legislation and this will take some time.
860. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding allocated to Cork county projects as part of Clár funding from 2020 to 2024; the projects approved; the monies for same have been drawn down by Cork County Council, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15164/25]
View answerReply not received from Department.
861. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding allocated to Cork County projects as part of rural regeneration and development fund from 2020 to 2024; the projects approved; the monies for same have been drawn down by Cork County Council, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15165/25]
View answerThe Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) is a strategic capital investment fund that is key to the delivery of Ireland's rural development policy, Our Rural Future 2021-2025. RRDF provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns, villages and rural areas across Ireland.
Funding is allocated to local authorities and other State-funded bodies, who take the lead role in individual projects and manage project spend. As a general rule, the RRDF will provide up to 80% of the total project costs, with at least 20% to be provided in matching contributions by the applicants.
Since 2020, RRDF funding of over €34.5 million of has been allocated for 13 projects across County Cork. Cork County Council is the Project Lead for 10 projects.
Funding from the RRDF is made to Project Leads over the approved lifetime of the project. This is on the basis of actual expenditure incurred, and claimed thereafter by the Lead Party through the Department of Rural and Community Development.
From 2020 to date, my department has provided Cork County Council with RRDF funding totalling c. €4.07 million for such vouched expenditure, which is set out in table 1 below.
In addition to those RRDF projects under the lead of Cork County Council, a further 3 RRDF projects have been approved in County Cork since 2020. These projects are set out in Table 2 below.
Table 2:
|
Lead Party |
Project |
Location |
Funding Awarded* |
|
Fáílte Ireland |
The Beara Breifne Way |
West Cork (Part of a Multi-county Project) |
c.€33,000 |
|
Comhar na nOileán |
Neart Enterprise, Creative and Digital Hub |
Sherkin Island |
€1.92m |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
Coláiste Íosagáin Regional Development Centre |
Baile Bhúirne |
€3.23m |
*Figures rounded.
862. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding allocated to Cork County projects as part of the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme from 2020 to 2024; the projects approved; the monies for same that has been drawn down by Cork County Council, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15166/25]
View answerThe Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding for the development and enhancement of outdoor recreational infrastructure such as walking trails, cycleways, water-based recreation sites and mountain trails.
Between 2020 and 2024, almost €3.5 million was awarded to Cork County Council for over 40 projects.
The table attached outlines funding awarded to Cork County Council and the amount drawn down under the ORIS from 2020 to 2024.
Details relate to the funding approvals per calendar year rather than each annual iteration of the scheme. For example, projects under measures 1, 2 and 3 of the ORIS 2023 scheme were formally announced at the start of 2024 and are included under the 2024 column.
In addition to local authorities, it should be noted that state bodies and local development companies may also apply under the scheme. These are not referenced in the table.
863. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding allocated to Cork County projects as part of the community centre investment fund from 2020 to 2024; the projects approved; if the monies for same have been drawn down by Cork County Council, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15167/25]
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.
Earlier this month under the 2024 fund, I was delighted to announce over €26 million for 369 community centres under Category 2, which provides funding of up to €100,00. This brings the total amount approved under the 2024 iteration of the fund to over €33 million for over 770 projects nationwide.
Applications under the CCIF, with the exception of the exception of the 2023 new build measure, are submitted directly by community groups. As such, Cork County Council has not received any funding under the CCIF.
Details of all successful applications under CCIF, including those in Cork, can be found on my Department's website: www.gov.ie/en/service/fec91-community-centres-investment-fund/.
864. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding allocated to Cork County projects as part of the community recognition fund from 2020 to 2024; the projects approved; if the monies for same have been drawn down by Cork County Council, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15168/25]
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. To further support communities, a further €50 million in funding was announced under the Community Recognition Fund in March last.
Last August, €16.4 million was approved to deliver 185 community projects across the country under the first tranche of the 2024 allocation. On 24th February, I approved over €14 million to deliver 164 projects across the country for the second tranche.
The closing date for the third and final tranche has now passed and my officials have commenced the process of reviewing the proposals submitted by each local authority. I hope to be announcing the successful projects under that tranche in the coming months.
Under the 2023 iteration of the scheme Cork County Council had 83 projects approved of which 68 are fully completed. Over €1.6 million has been drawn down to date. Under window 1 and 2 of the 2024 iteration of the scheme, 22 projects have been approved to date. My officials have begun the assessment of the third and final tranche and I hope to make an announcement in the coming months.
Details of the projects funded through Cork County Council and the level of drawdown under CRF 2023 and 2024 are in the table attached.
865. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding allocated to Cork County projects as part of the local improvement scheme from 2020 to 2024; the projects approved; the monies for same that have been drawn down by Cork County Council, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15169/25]
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. Given LIS is intended to support the upkeep of rural roads, Cork City Council does not form part of the scheme.
In April 2024, €40 million in funding was announced for LIS across local authorities to cover 2024/2025. My officials have recently opened the administration of the 2025 Local Improvement 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.
While my Department provides funding to local authorities to support the operation of the scheme, each local authority is solely responsible for the prioritisation and selection of roads for inclusion in the scheme. Applicants apply directly to the Council and provide a local contribution towards the works and as such, the records of individual applicants and projects are maintained at local authority level.
The table below displays the information requested by the Deputy from 2020 – 2024.
|
Year |
Allocation |
Drawdown |
Roads Completed |
|
2020 |
€900,000 |
€896,693 |
19 |
|
2021 |
€1,412,738 |
€1,410,172 |
29 |
|
2022 |
€1,298,240 |
€1,173,997 |
22 |
|
2023 |
€2,755,923 |
€2,580,961 |
47 |
|
2024/2025 |
€2,868,444 |
€1,618,457 (2024) |
31 (2024 total) |
|
Total |
€9,235,345 |
€7,680,280 |
148 |
866. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding allocated to Cork County projects as part of the walks scheme from 2020 to 2024; the projects approved; if the monies for same have been drawn down by Cork County Council, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15170/25]
View answerMy Department’s Walks Scheme provides funding to private landholders (participants) who maintain, develop and repair the portion of the trail that traverses their land. The scheme is administered by 22 Local Development Companies (LDCs) and not by local authorities. In Cork, the scheme is administered by IRD Duhallow, Comhar na nOileán and West Cork Development Partnership.
There are currently 6 trails operational on the Walks Scheme in Co Cork:
• Sheep's Head Way.
• Sli Gaeltacht Mhuscrai.
• Beara Cork.
• Beara Islands (Dursey).
• Whiddy Island Walk-Sheep's Head Way.
• Duhallow Way.
A further 8 trails have been approved in principal to join the scheme and work is ongoing to bring them onto the Scheme as soon as possible.
Details of funding provided to participants in Co Cork under the Walks Scheme from 2020 to 2024 are outlined in the table below. Also included is funding provided to cover the costs of purchasing everyday materials and the once-off costs associated with small capital projects under the Walks Scheme Development Funding (WSDF).
|
Year |
Participant Payments |
Materials |
WSDF |
|
2020 |
€761,302.71 |
€50,800.00 |
€0.00 |
|
2021 |
€813,075.64 |
€8,500.00 |
€4,150.00 |
|
2022 |
€865,696.01 |
€123,400.00 |
€19,976.65 |
|
2023 |
€912,033.13 |
€47,900.00 |
€50,938.00 |
|
2024 |
€909,749.02 |
€83,700.00 |
€36,656.85 |
867. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of funding the men’s sheds received in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [15298/25]
View answerMy Department provides a number of supports, which can be accessed by Men's Sheds. These supports include -
• The €7 million Local Enhancement Programme 2025 which allowed Men's Sheds to apply for running costs as well as small capital works for their facilities.
• The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme 2024 - 2028, which also provides supports to Men's Sheds.
• The LEADER programme, where funding is not targeted at any particular group or sector in rural communities but focused on a thematic approach to rural development.
• Ring-fenced funding of €800,000 (2022) and €1,000,000 (2023) was provided to the Irish Men’s Shed Association to support Men’s Sheds - these funds were distributed by the Irish Men's Sheds Association (IMSA) to its members.
My Department also provides funding directly to the IMSA under the Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO). The IMSA has been allocated total funding of €283,684 over the three-years and 6 month period of the scheme to the end of 2025. The purpose of this funding is to support two staff roles: National Support Volunteer Programme Coordinator and Communications Officer.
In addition to these supports, a number of other funds administered by DRCD including CLÁR, the Community Centres Investment Fund (CCIF) and the Community Recognition Fund (CRF) provide funding to all Community and Voluntary groups including Men’s Sheds. Details of all projects funded though my Department can be located on the website, www.gov.ie/drcd.
The table below provides details of funding provided directly to Men’s Sheds in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025.
Details of Men’s Sheds funding under LEP 2025 are not yet available but will be announced in early May and will also be available on my Department's website at that point. It should be noted that I will meet with the IMSA in the coming weeks to discuss issues arising.
|
Men's Shed Funding |
|
|
|
|
Year |
Fund/Programme |
No. of Sheds funded |
Amount of funding |
|
2023 |
Community Support Fund (2022) |
103 |
€198,371.04 |
|
Irish Mens Shed Association - Allocation 22/23 |
347 |
€800,000.00 |
|
|
SICAP |
46 |
€46,660.00 |
|
|
SSNO |
IMSA |
€81,052.66 |
|
|
2024 |
Local Enhancement Programme (2024) |
72 |
€111,140.31 |
|
Irish Mens Shed Association - Allocation 23/24 |
378 |
€1,000,000.00 |
|
|
SICAP |
48 |
€55,455.00* |
|
|
SSNO |
IMSA |
€81,052.66 |
|
|
2025 (to date) |
SICAP |
2 |
€3,500.00 |
|
SSNO |
IMSA |
€81,052.66 |
|
|
Total |
€2,352,669.33 |
*Financial data for 2024 is provisional until the accounts are finalised.
868. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if additional funding will be provided to assist people upgrading roads through the LIS scheme in Carlow and Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15308/25]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on these roads are funded from Councils’ own resources and supplemented by State Road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority.
On 14th February I announced an Exchequer investment of €713 million in our regional and local roads across the State which represents an overall increase of over 8% in funding this year. The main focus of the grants continues to be the protection and renewal of the regional and local road network.
In 2018, the Department introduced ring-fenced funding for Community Involvement Schemes (CIS). The purpose of the CIS is to facilitate local community participation in the repair of local roads. The focus of the programme is on the repair of more lightly trafficked public roads which might not be high on the list of a local authority's annual roadwork programme. Under the scheme a local community can contribute in money or in kind, for example by making labour or machinery available.
While community contributions in the range 15% to 30% had been required up to 2021, depending on the mix between works and monies, the contribution rate has now been reduced to a minimum of 10% for monetary contributions and 20% for works contribution. This is more in line with Local Improvement Scheme contribution rates.
In order to allow for sufficient planning and applications for this scheme, local authorities are invited to apply for funding for CIS projects for a two-year programme with the latest round of applications received in 2023 for the 2024/2025 period.
€537,900 has been allocated to Kilkenny County Council for Community Involvement Schemes this year and Carlow County Council have been allocated €220,550.
