Written Answers Nos. 829-845
829. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what role Ireland has in developing and shaping the use of artificial intelligence in transforming how education is delivered by our tertiary system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29801/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAI is promising to transform how education is delivered by our tertiary system.
AI can help make learning much more personalised to meet student needs. It can adjust lessons and materials to individual’s learning styles, and speeds helping to ensure that students that need extra support receive it.
AI platforms can analyse large amounts of data giving insights into how students are performing and how effective institutions are. This can help improve courses, increase student retention and improve student performance.
There are benefits but we also need to think about ethics, data privacy, and the risk of bias in AI systems to ensure they are fair for everyone.
Safeguarding academic and research integrity is, of course, also a priority. Quality and Qualifications Ireland has recently closed a public consultation on its white paper on academic integrity assessing both the challenges and opportunities from the use of AI tools by students, learners and researchers.
I highlighted the importance of being pro-active in shaping Ireland’s response to Artificial Intelligence in my remarks at an event on Skills in the Digital Age at the Institute of International and European Affairs last month.
The refreshing and updating of the 2021 National AI Strategy AI – Here for Good provides an opportunity to examine how best to enable the transformation of Ireland’s tertiary education system driven by AI adoption.
830. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to create apprenticeships to support the growing renewable energy sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29802/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is a suite of apprenticeship programmes currently in place to equip participants with relevant skills that are essential to support Ireland’s growing renewable energy sector.
In light of the extensive supply chain required for areas such as wind farm development, these apprenticeship programmes include the wind turbine maintenance technician apprenticeship, geo-drilling, accounting technician and various electrical, logistics, manufacturing and engineering programmes.
A planning apprenticeship is now also in development, the success of which will be very relevant to increasing national wind energy capacity.
With the specific focus on the growth of the wind energy sector, the wind turbine maintenance technician apprenticeship, provided by Kerry Education and Training Board was launched in 2022 with 14 apprentices. This three-year programme was designed to meet the needs of the growing renewable and sustainable energy sector and currently has 29 apprentices enrolled. On completion of the programme, apprentices are awarded a Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Industrial Wind Turbine Engineering.
In addition, my Department is supporting a broad range of initiatives to enable us to meet the workforce challenges and skills needs associated with the development of renewable energy, including the development of offshore wind. These include both technical and professional skills and are relevant to a range of job roles. Relevant upskilling and reskilling courses are available via the Human Capital Initiative and Springboard+, and through Greentech Skillnet. Skillnet Ireland is also developing a dedicated and comprehensive offshore wind upskilling programme, which will launch later this year.
My Department is also actively monitoring and planning for future skills requirements for this key sector of the economy through the dedicated Skills and Workforce Workstream of the cross-Departmental Offshore Wind Energy Programme. Through this workstream, my Department collaborated on a skills assessment report for offshore wind, which was published in January. My Department is developing a skills action plan in response to this report, which will outline the precise requirements to guide future activity in the tertiary education sector.
831. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans for expanding the current supports in terms of mental health service across third level education facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29803/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn terms of funding available to the higher education sector for mental health supports, higher education institutions (HEIs) receive funding from a variety of sources that contribute to the expenditure associated with the full range of institutional activities. This includes recurrent funding allocated by my Department to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for direct disbursement to HEA funded higher education institutions.
As autonomous bodies the internal disbursement of funding, including the funding and expansion of student services and mental health supports, is a matter for the individual institution.
Recognising the pressures on students arising from COVID and cost-of-living issues, since 2020 my Department has provided a total of €25.9 million in additional funding to Higher Education Institutions to support mental health measures for students on their educational journey.
This funding consists of core funding and additional funding: core allocation of €2m, as well as an additional €3m per annum. In 2022 an additional €900,000 was made available for supporting Ukrainian students registered in Irish HEIs and who are in Ireland under a temporary Section 60 order.
This funding is to further support Higher Education Institutions in meeting the mental health and wellbeing needs of their student population and in implementing the National Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Framework (2020).
HEIs in receipt of this additional funding are encouraged to distribute it in support of specific student-facing areas, such as:
• Recruitment of additional Student Counsellors
• Recruitment of additional Assistant Psychologists
• Head of Service posts
• Training of staff to enable them to support and refer students to appropriate services.
• Raising awareness among students of mental health and wellbeing services available, including through student outreach activities
The majority of new posts created through this funding have been counsellors, reflecting the capacity building phase of the implementation of the Framework.
HEIs have reported a breadth of positive impacts, from a reduction in engagement times to an increase in the number of sessions provided.
832. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans for increasing the funding available to third level institutions under the student assistance fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29804/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn advance of Budget 2025, I will be publishing the annual options paper which will set out various possible measures to address matters pertaining to the cost of education. This paper will facilitate a public discussion on the various choices available to amend student supports including the Student Assistant Fund. These options will be considered as part of the deliberations around Budget 2025.
833. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the national training fund has ever been in deficit; if so, when; how this deficit arose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29928/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraEstablished by the National Training Fund Act, 2000, the Fund consists of a current account and an investment account. In accordance with section 2 of the 2000 Act, income and expenditure is channelled through the current account with any surplus transferring to the investment account and any deficit being transferred from the investment account. Subsection 2(12) of the Act allows for any shortfall in the Fund in a financial year to be met from moneys provided by the Oireachtas. However, the Fund has not been in deficit during its operation. Annual expenditure exceeded income on four occasions, in 2004, 2010, 2012 and 2014 and on each occasion the excess was met from the investment account.
834. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will identify the types of assets and asset classes, that the national training fund surplus is permitted to invest in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29929/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 2 of the National Training Fund Act, 2000 provides for the Fund to consist of a current account and an investment account, with the Minister for Public Expenditure NDP Delivery and Reform having responsibility for the management and control of the investment account. Subsection 2(9) provides that investments can take the form of
(a) the application of moneys in the investment account towards the acquisition, holding or disposal of any rights or interests, direct or indirect, in any securities other than shares, or
(b) the placing of them in deposit accounts in any financial institution or the investment of them in short term financial products, such as certificates of deposit or commercial paper, issued by any person, in the currency of the State in or outside of the State.
As noted in the NTF Accounts, the surplus in the NTF is held in Exchequer Notes with the National Treasury Management Agency.
835. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide the number and detail of the public helplines operated by his Department; whether calls are recorded on each helpline; and if not, whether he would consider recording calls for transparency and training purposes. [29995/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe key public helplines operated by my Department are 01- 889 2448/2442. Calls are not recorded and recording is not currently under consideration at this time. The customer service is kept under constant review and adapted to meet needs.
836. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the current regulatory framework that applies to funeral directors and crematoriums; and if he plans to introduce legislation to regulate the industry. [29877/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has responsibility for policy and legislation in relation to local authority burial grounds while the actual operation of burial grounds (cemeteries) is the responsibility of the local authorities.
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.
Regulations are currently in place regarding burials and burial grounds, namely Part III of the Public Health (Ireland) Act, 1878, as amended in Part VI of the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act, 1948 and more recently, the Local Government Acts, 1994 and 2001, and also in the Rules and Regulations for the Regulation of Burial Grounds 1888 and amendments thereto.
Having regard to the broader range of legislative priorities to be progressed across my Department's remit, there are currently no plans to introduce new regulations in this area.
In the context of Funeral Directors and Crematoria, I understand there are professional bodies for these activities with their own codes and standards, but my Department has no role in this regard.
837. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide a breakdown, per year, of the funding provided under the local improvement scheme, in tabular form. [29232/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra838. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide a breakdown, per county and per year, of the funding provided under the local improvement scheme, in tabular form. [29233/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 837 and 838 together.
The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports improving rural roads and laneways not usually maintained by local authorities. As part of Our Rural Future, the Government is committed to ensuring that LIS is funded into the future.
My Department reintroduced the scheme in 2017 after several years without dedicated funding. Between 2017 and 2024, my Department allocated almost €170 million to local authorities under the scheme. Up to the end of 2023, this has upgraded over 4,000 non-public roads and lanes, benefitting nearly 20,000 landowners and residents in these rural areas.
While significant progress made in recent years, there remains strong demand under the Scheme. With this is in mind and in order to help local authorities better plan their work programmes, this year I have directed additional funding to the LIS and have allocated funding to local authorities for both 2024 and 2025.
The table below sets out the overall funding allocated on a county basis from 2017 - 2025.
|
County |
2017 Allocation |
2018 Allocation |
2019 Allocation |
2020 Allocation |
2021 Allocation |
2022 Allocation |
2023 Allocation |
2024/2025 Allocation |
Total Allocation |
|
Carlow |
€440,460 |
€528,279 |
€250,000 |
€250,000 |
€463,931 |
€944,082 |
€567,772 |
€938,444 |
€4,382,968 |
|
Cavan |
€335,080 |
€636,680 |
€269,254 |
€269,254 |
€1,119,389 |
€1,273,457 |
€1,741,411 |
€1,209,560 |
€6,854,085 |
|
Clare |
€866,774 |
€1,038,844 |
€480,811 |
€480,811 |
€828,528 |
€1,238,015 |
€1,367,910 |
€2,079,722 |
€8,381,415 |
|
Cork |
€1,151,985 |
€1,700,000 |
€900,000 |
€900,000 |
€1,412,738 |
€1,298,240 |
€2,615,923 |
€2,868,444 |
€12,847,330 |
|
Donegal |
€3,384,000 |
€1,792,516 |
€677,456 |
€677,456 |
€1,188,403 |
€1,711,214 |
€1,890,509 |
€2,788,444 |
€14,109,998 |
|
Galway |
€1,368,651 |
€1,942,000 |
€856,959 |
€856,959 |
€1,580,871 |
€1,682,841 |
€1,518,259 |
€3,088,444 |
€12,894,984 |
|
Kerry |
€995,578 |
€1,209,990 |
€669,930 |
€669,930 |
€1,187,099 |
€1,495,490 |
€1,557,176 |
€2,569,237 |
€10,354,430 |
|
Kildare |
€0 |
€329,591 |
€250,000 |
€250,000 |
€495,586 |
€435,326 |
€304,736 |
€1,074,515 |
€3,139,754 |
|
Kilkenny |
€605,565 |
€679,683 |
€288,905 |
€288,905 |
€778,682 |
€628,610 |
€641,753 |
€1,304,899 |
€5,217,002 |
|
Laois |
€812,270 |
€568,255 |
€250,000 |
€250,000 |
€554,259 |
€860,277 |
€1,231,151 |
€1,106,270 |
€5,632,482 |
|
Leitrim |
€487,947 |
€550,120 |
€250,000 |
€250,000 |
€503,830 |
€1,081,038 |
€1,135,919 |
€966,074 |
€5,224,928 |
|
Limerick |
€544,861 |
€684,349 |
€384,092 |
€384,090 |
€1,504,659 |
€930,989 |
€1,182,549 |
€1,689,216 |
€7,304,805 |
|
Longford |
€302,443 |
€472,217 |
€250,000 |
€250,000 |
€393,041 |
€465,940 |
€593,350 |
€938,444 |
€3,665,435 |
|
Louth |
€250,000 |
€250,000 |
€250,000 |
€250,000 |
€417,821 |
€448,273 |
€422,764 |
€938,444 |
€3,227,302 |
|
Mayo |
€1,272,974 |
€1,843,235 |
€778,496 |
€778,496 |
€1,361,625 |
€610,944 |
€1,521,736 |
€2,654,159 |
€10,821,665 |
|
Meath |
€474,290 |
€773,404 |
€326,394 |
€326,394 |
€803,937 |
€569,299 |
€994,513 |
€1,325,559 |
€5,593,790 |
|
Monaghan |
€366,312 |
€540,841 |
€250,000 |
€250,000 |
€1,326,223 |
€932,889 |
€1,342,724 |
€938,444 |
€5,947,433 |
|
Offaly |
€676,155 |
€644,654 |
€278,871 |
€278,871 |
€545,240 |
€674,785 |
€704,325 |
€1,264,386 |
€5,067,287 |
|
Roscommon |
€421,258 |
€820,968 |
€355,104 |
€355,104 |
€445,495 |
€571,758 |
€512,825 |
€1,541,106 |
€5,023,618 |
|
Sligo |
€496,158 |
€606,870 |
€256,154 |
€256,154 |
€470,542 |
€358,030 |
€886,127 |
€1,192,667 |
€4,522,702 |
|
Tipperary |
€246,900 |
€794,400 |
€599,969 |
€599,969 |
€721,531 |
€1,125,773 |
€1,865,091 |
€2,517,026 |
€8,470,659 |
|
Waterford |
€718,689 |
€607,047 |
€258,802 |
€258,802 |
€872,759 |
€587,176 |
€817,570 |
€1,183,358 |
€5,304,203 |
|
Westmeath |
€516,324 |
€607,224 |
€256,433 |
€256,433 |
€628,389 |
€656,781 |
€515,416 |
€1,173,793 |
€4,610,793 |
|
Wexford |
€494,493 |
€511,410 |
€329,878 |
€329,878 |
€653,786 |
€781,027 |
€1,030,935 |
€1,470,330 |
€5,601,737 |
|
Wicklow |
€310,000 |
€668,135 |
€282,494 |
€282,494 |
€741,635 |
€637,748 |
€777,488 |
€1,279,015 |
€4,979,009 |
|
Total |
€17,539,167 |
€20,800,712 |
€10,000,002 |
€10,000,000 |
€20,999,999 |
€22,000,002 |
€27,739,932 |
€40,100,000 |
€169,179,814 |
839. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department has ever used artificial intelligence, such as ChatGPT, in drafting Dáil speeches or to Parliamentary Questions. [29285/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that my Department has not used Chat GPT or any other artificial intelligence in draft Dáil speeches or replies to Parliamentary Questions. I would also note that my Departments ICT managed service is provided by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) and that the use of artificial intelligence resources is not currently supported under this service.
840. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of laptops or mobile phones owned by her Department that have been lost or stolen in each of the past ten years. [29303/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Rural and Community Development was established in 2017, and the table below details the information requested since then. My Department's ICT managed service is provided by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO). All IT and related equipment in use in the Department are supported by the OGCIO. Equipment issued to Department staff are encrypted through a mechanism approved by the OGCIO. As such, the security in place to protect the Department's IT systems adheres to best practice.
|
Year |
Laptop |
Mobile |
|
2017 |
0 |
0 |
|
2018 |
0 |
0 |
|
2019 |
0 |
0 |
|
2020 |
0 |
0 |
|
2021 |
0 |
0 |
|
2022 |
0 |
2 lost 1 stolen |
|
2023 |
0 |
0 |
|
2024 |
0 |
1 lost |
|
Total |
0 |
4 |
841. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the progress made from the first batch of town centre first projects; the value of projects agreed; and the learnings from this round as to how this policy can now be scaled up; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29510/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraLaunched in 2022, the Town Centre First (TCF) Policy is a major cross-government policy that aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres. It supports the Our Rural Future vision for a thriving rural Ireland. My Department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage jointly manage the policy.
Amongst the initiatives supported by my Department under TCF is the development of TCF Plans that are helping rural communities develop a vision for their local areas and identify viable projects to realise this vision. The initial pilot programme, which I launched in 2021, consisted of 26 town plans and are now all completed and can be viewed on the towncentrefirst.ie website.
Last February, I launched a new suite of supports which is providing an additional €4.5 million to support broader efforts to regenerate town centres through a bottom-up approach. This measure supports the development of a further 26 town plans, the establishment and development and establishment of Town Teams and the completion of Project Development Measure (PDM) projects.
I have announced the successful towns that are being supported to complete a town plan and develop and establish town teams, which includes 94 towns with a funding allocation of €1.46 million. These towns can be viewed on my Department’s website. All PDM applications have been received by my Department and are currently undergoing the competitive assessment process. I expect to announce successful projects shortly.
The National TCF Office is key to the success of the policy. This Office is currently reviewing the completed pilot town plans and preparing a best-practice manual which will aid the development of the new plans. I want to emphasise that TCF is a policy approach relevant to towns of all sizes and local authorities are being supported to roll-out the approach more broadly. My Department is also funding Town Regeneration Officers (TROs) in local authorities to work as a central driver of Town Centre First on a local level. TROs work in collaboration with other local authority officers, including the vacant homes officers. My Department collaborates closely with the National TCF Office as well as TROs, local authority officials and Town Teams.
My Department also administers a range of funding schemes, many of which are linked to TCF such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. This strategic link between policy, communities and schemes is key to successful outcomes. The priorities of these schemes are reviewed on an ongoing basis and prior to the launch of all funding calls to ensure that they align with the goals of our policies, including TCF and Our Rural Future.
A full review of the TCF policy will be completed in 2025 and discussions are underway on the specifics of this review. Decisions on the future direction of TCF will be informed by this review. In the meantime, my Department remains fully committed to the success of the Town Centre First policy to deliver on the goal of revitalising rural towns and villages.
842. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her recent engagements with the board of Water Safety Ireland regarding recommended staffing and equipment guidelines for lifeguarding that it issues to local authorities; if there has been engagement regarding lifeguards at Clashganny and Milford in Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29587/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWater Safety Ireland (WSI) has statutory responsibility for the promotion of public awareness of water safety; advancement of education related to the prevention of accidents in water; instruction in water safety; and the establishment of national standards for lifeguards.
In 2023, I launched WSI’s Strategic Development Plan 2023-2027. Goal 5, with its four corresponding objectives, specifically focuses on lifeguarding, at both beaches and pools.
WSI has been training lifeguards since 1945 and has thirty committees doing so nationwide. WSI training records show that almost 2,300 lifeguards were certified in 2023. The WSI lifeguard education syllabus meets the standards sets by the International Life Saving Federation, which is composed of national aquatic lifesaving organisations from around the world.
The employment of lifeguards and the equipment provided to them are matters for the relevant local authority under the Local Government Acts. Neither my Department nor Water Safety Ireland have a remit in respect of local government employment or equipment provided for local government services.
Water Safety Development Officers (WSDO) are employees of the relevant local authority, and their duties typically include purchasing of water safety equipment for lifeguards, instructors and examiners, and employment of lifeguards at swimming areas during the summer season.
Guidelines for safety equipment and its use are agreed between WSI and the LGMA. WSI does not recommend a type or standard of equipment for Local Authorities and it provides risk assessments only on request from a local authority.
843. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of an application by an organisation (details supplied) to Pobal for funding for an additional full-time worker; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29672/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's Community Services Programme (CSP) currently supports over 430 community-based organisations to provide local social, economic and environmental services through a social enterprise model, providing a contribution towards the cost of CSP supported staff in organisations.
I am aware that the organisation in question is currently in receipt of CSP supports for one full time equivalent (FTE) position at the medium rate of funding, resulting in a current annual contract value of €23,175.
An application window for funding for additional staff posts to existing CSP funded organisations was opened on September 1st 2023 with a closing date of 29th September. Pobal, who manage and administer the programme on behalf of my Department, received a large volume of applications from CSP supported organisations. All applications received were considered carefully against the eligibility criteria, and those deemed eligible were assessed against the selection criteria of the Programme as outlined in the application guidelines.
On 18th June, I made an announcement approving €1 million in funding to support a further seven manager positions and thirty five FTE positions, in 32 existing CSP supported organisations.
I understand that the organisation in question had submitted a request under this Call for Applications seeking funding towards the cost of an additional full time equivalent post. Unfortunately, in this instance, their application did not meet the required threshold to be considered for support. I am advised that Pobal have notified all applicants on the outcome of their application, in recent days.
It is open to the organisation to seek feedback from Pobal via csp@pobal.ie, noting that this decision is open to appeal and that Pobal has provided unsuccessful applicants with the Appeal guidelines.
In the interim, if the organisation in question currently requires immediate support they should consider contacting their Local Development Company or the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) in their local authority, who may be able to provide some guidance on other supports available at this time.
Their Local Intreo Office may be able to assist with the possibility of further additional staff resources through activation programmes such as Community Employment or Tús.
844. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the range of schemes, and their value, for regional development, in the past two years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29767/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government places a strong emphasis on balanced regional development through a range of measures. My own Department supports this commitment through targeted investment that supports rural regeneration, facilitates new working opportunities and fosters regional enterprise growth.
The National Planning Framework, and the National Development Plan (NDP) 2021 – 2030 also place particular focus on priority solutions to strengthen housing, climate ambitions, transport, healthcare, jobs growth in every region, and economic renewal for the decade ahead.
While the National Development Plan is a whole of Government approach, Chapter 8: Strengthened Rural Economies and Communities details measures that will be delivered and administered by my Department. Our Rural Future is a whole-of-Government Rural Development Policy which sets out a range of measures to strengthen the resilience of our rural communities and economies, including addressing the impacts of challenges experienced by people living and working in rural Ireland and maximising opportunities for rural areas. The NDP supports the achievement of the ambitious objectives set out in Our Rural Future.
My Department uses its funding across three strategic programme areas; rural development, regional affairs and the islands; community development, and; charities regulation. For 2024 my Department has secured a budget of €431 million, with €205 million for rural development regional affairs and the islands, €221 million for community development, and €5 million for charities regulation. In 2023, a total of €417 million was spent by my Department across the three strategic programme areas. €14.5 million of capital carry forward from 2022 was also spent in 2023. This combined expenditure in 2023 was an increase from 2022 where €378 million was allocated in the Revised Estimates. The funding for my Department, which has increased consistently in recent years, ensures that we are in a position to further assist communities, and support rural and regional development.
Over the life of the NDP my Department will continue to invest in and support rural Ireland and regional development in communities across the country - supported through the various schemes such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, LEADER Programme, Town and Village Renewal Scheme, Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, Local Improvement Scheme, CLÁR Programme, Islands Capital Programme, Community Enhancement Programme, Libraries Investment Capital funding, PEACE IV Programme and the PEACE PLUS Programme.
Details of funding allocations under specific schemes provided by my Department are available the Department's website at www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-rural-and-community-development/. I would also note that the revised estimate volume provides full detail of the funding allocations for programme areas each year.
845. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development for an update on her Department's efforts in dealing with rural isolation and loneliness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29768/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department operates a range of programmes and schemes that support and assist urban and rural community groups throughout the country, benefiting individual communities as well as their broader regions and catchment areas.
Groups and projects supported by my Department deliver on a range of objectives. Some groups and projects work to address societal issues such as isolation and deprivation, while others aim to enhance local lives and livelihoods with material improvements to their areas through local and community development activities. Targeted investments and supports offered by my Department fund a wide range of initiatives that help promote rural regeneration, town and village regeneration, outdoor recreation, regional enterprise growth and, social inclusion.
Capital schemes including the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, LEADER, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, the Local Improvement Scheme, the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, the Community Recognition Fund and the Community Centre Investment Fund are delivering projects throughout the country.
The emphasis of the 2023-2027 LEADER programme, which builds on the many successful previous programmes, will include the continued development of the rural economy. There will also be a strong focus on building the capacity of marginalised and new communities, particularly in areas that have not benefited from LEADER financial support in the past.
Organisations like Men’s Sheds and Women’s Group are vital in addressing isolation for many people. Late last year I was pleased to announce €1 million in funding to Men’s Sheds. Under the initiative, grants of up to €3,000 have been provided to 435 Men’s Sheds across the country.
Last month, I announced funding for almost 500 Women’s Groups nationwide. The funding is being delivered as part of The Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) 2024. The LEP allocated €6 million in capital supports for community groups and organisations across every county in Ireland, with funding of €1 million being ring-fenced for women’s groups.
I believe that Community Centres are the cornerstone of communities all over Ireland and provide people, young and old, with a place to meet, learn, play and participate with the community as a whole. Only last month I was delighted to announce a further €20 million in funding to support our community groups to upgrade and refurbish the community facilities in their areas. The ‘Community Centre Investment Fund 2024 – Refurbishment’ will provide funding from €10,000 up to a maximum of €100,000 towards capital costs. This allocation brings the total amount of funding announced to support the development of community centres to over €95 million since 2022.
Current funding supports such as the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) and the Community Services Programme (CSP) are helping to tackle social exclusion, unemployment, promote social cohesion and support thriving communities.
In relation to isolation and marginalisation, SICAP addresses high and persistent levels of deprivation through targeted and innovative, locally-led approaches in both urban and rural communities. SICAP supports disadvantaged communities and individuals including unemployed people, people living in deprived areas, people with disabilities, single parent families, people on a low income, members of the Traveller and Roma community and other disadvantaged groups. SICAP funding has increased by €8.3 million over 3 years, totalling €51 million in 2024.
I will continue to engage with rural and urban stakeholders to identify issues impacting on communities and respond to emerging needs, including with regard to helping address rural isolation and loneliness. I am confident that the funding supports and policies provided by my Department will continue to deliver tangible benefits for both urban and rural communities and I encourage all groups to engage with their local structures like their Local Community Development Committee (LCDCs), their Public Participation Network (PPN), their Local Development Company and to regularly check www.gov.ie/drcd to ensure they are aware of funding opportunities as they become available.
