Paul Murphy
Ceist:860. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to confirm the amount of funding in total received by each local authority for dog control since 2023. [42474/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraControl of Dogs
Ceisteanna (860, 861)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:861. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount each local authority was granted in each round of funding; the local authorities that have accessed the funding for dog control to date; where the funding has been accessed, if the Department have oversight as to what that funding has been spent on and, if so, please provide details. [42475/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 860 and 861 together.
In November 2023, I announced the establishment of a €2 million capital fund under a new Dog Control Support Initiative.
Under this initiative, funding was provided to Local Authorities to upgrade their dog pounds and shelter facilities, and to move towards cleaner, electric vehicles for dog wardens. A county-by-county breakdown of allocations is attached. Each Local Authority had until 30th June 2024, to inform my Department officials of the nature of the expenditure. A number of Local Authorities requested an extension to expend their allocation, so the full details of this expenditure will be available once all Local Authority reports have been received, collated and analysed.
I also recently announced an additional €2 million in capital funding to Local Authorities to expand and improve their dog pounds and dog warden facilities. 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. Once the operational details and allocations have been finalised, my officials will notify all Local Authorities.
In July, together with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, and Minister of State with Responsibility for Local Government and Planning, Alan Dillon TD, I announced funding of €2 million for Local Authorities to support the resourcing of dog warden services from 2025. This funding recognises the increased demands in the area of dog control and the need to ensure resources on the ground to enforce the ban on XL Bully type dogs. Once the operational details and allocations have been finalised, my officials will be in contact with all Local Authorities so that they can begin the recruitment processes required at local level.
Finally, in addition to these measures, my Department is also supporting a national training programme for dog wardens to ensure consistency and a standardised approach to enforcement. This training commenced in April 2024.
I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues across Government to improve outcomes in relation to Dog Control in Ireland.
Dog Control Support Initiative 2023
|
Local Authority |
Funding Allocation |
|
Carlow |
€56,099 |
|
Cavan |
€63,241 |
|
Clare |
€59,739 |
|
Cork City |
€67,555 |
|
Cork County |
€98,020 |
|
Donegal |
€64,399 |
|
Dublin City |
€79,707 |
|
Dun Laoghaire |
€64,454 |
|
Fingal |
€73,169 |
|
Galway City |
€55,407 |
|
Galway County |
€67,967 |
|
Kerry |
€74,948 |
|
Kildare |
€65,757 |
|
Kilkenny |
€61,142 |
|
Laois |
€58,692 |
|
Leitrim |
€55,140 |
|
Limerick |
€68,393 |
|
Longford |
€54,980 |
|
Louth |
€63,850 |
|
Mayo |
€63,832 |
|
Meath |
€64,367 |
|
Monaghan |
€60,865 |
|
Offaly |
€57,650 |
|
Roscommon |
€58,509 |
|
Sligo |
€57,759 |
|
South Dublin |
€69,700 |
|
Tipperary |
€65,954 |
|
Waterford |
€64,433 |
|
Westmeath |
€57,944 |
|
Wexford |
€65,449 |
|
Wicklow |
€60,877 |
|
Total |
€2,000,000 |
Question No. 861 answered with Question No. 860.
Control of Dogs
Ceisteanna (862)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:862. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to confirm the process (details supplied) that will be undertaken when a dog is seized as a suspected XL Bully Type Dog; given the length of time these cases take to get to court, if the Minister will confirm where these dogs will be held until a determination has been made and if the resources are in place for this; if it is determined that the dog has been wrongly seized, if the Minister will confirm that the State will be liable for all costs associated with the detention and any fees incurred by the owner. [42476/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Control of Dogs (XL Bully) Regulations 2024 (S.I. No. 491/2024) that banned XL Bully type dogs came into force in two stages beginning on the 1st October 2024, with a full ownership ban coming into force on the 1st February 2025.
The ban is being brought in over two stages to give XL Bully type dog owners who wish to keep their XL Bully type dog the time to obtain a 'Certificate of Exemption'. There will be a four month period between the 1st October 2024 and before 1st February 2025, where these owners will be able to apply for a 'Certificate of Exemption'.
All XL Bully type dog owners will be required to licence, microchip and neuter their dogs. Further information on the XL Bully type dog ban, including the criteria to qualify and the documentation to be included with their application for a 'Certificate of Exemption' is available on gov.ie/xlbully.
Owners should use the Physical Conformation Standard to determine if their dog is an XL Bully type dog. It is the owner’s responsibility to determine if their dog is covered by the ban. If owners think their dog could be an XL Bully type dog, they should comply with all new requirements. This includes puppies that have the potential to become an XL Bully type dog.
More information on the definition of an XL Bully type dog is in the Technical Frequently Asked Questions document available on gov.ie/xlbully.
If an application for a 'Certificate of Exemption' is refused for any reason, the owner will be notified in writing by their local authority. Such owners may re-apply if they are subsequently able to address the reason why the application was refused, for example if documentation was missing from the original application.
If further applications are refused, and a new 'Certificate of Exemption' has not been applied for, or is not in place before February 1st 2025, owners may be required to surrender their dog to the local authority Dog Warden.
Under the Control of Dogs Acts, dog wardens have the power to seize any dog and detain it in order to ascertain whether an offence under the Act is being or has been committed and may enter any premises (other than a dwelling) for the purposes of such seizure and detention.
Under Section 15 of the Control of Dogs Act, every local authority shall establish and maintain one or more shelters for dogs seized or detained under any of the provisions of the Act.
Under the existing provisions of the Control of Dogs Act, a dog warden can make a complaint to the District Court that a dog is dangerous and not kept under proper control. Where the District Court determines the dog is dangerous and not kept under proper control, the Court may, in addition to any other penalty which it may impose, order that the dog be kept under proper control or be destroyed. It is a matter for the Court to determine who is liable for costs. In such cases, the owner can appeal a decision of the District Court.
Community Development Projects
Ceisteanna (863)
Réada Cronin
Ceist:863. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if additional funding will be made available to support community development projects in smaller towns like Athy and Monasterevin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42555/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
A vital part of my Department's mission is to support vibrant and sustainable communities across the country, including towns like Athy and Monasterevin. My Department provides targeted investment which improves lives, enables rural regeneration, facilitates new working opportunities and fosters regional enterprise growth.
I was delighted to secure a 9% increase in my Department’s funding under Budget 2025. This brings my Department’s allocation to €472 million, giving it additional resources to support projects in urban and rural areas.
This record allocation of €472 million will provide €212 million for rural development. This funding will continue to breathe new life into towns and villages like Athy and Monasterevin, and support the social and economic development of these communities.
My Department supports regeneration and regional enterprise growth through a wide range of schemes including; the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, the LEADER Programme, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme and the Islands Capital Programme.
My Department also provides strategic interventions through programmes which target and address social and economic deprivation in communities throughout the country.
Budget 2025 has made €260 million available for these community development activities.
The two main schemes in this area, the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), and the Community Services Programme (CSP), will have combined core funding of over €100 million in 2025 to support community development.
SICAP aims to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion and equality. The CSP provides employment opportunities for people in disadvantaged areas, and those most distant from the labour market, whilst also ensuring the provision of vital community services throughout the country.
I am confident that the funding supports and policies administered by my Department will continue to deliver tangible benefits for both urban and rural communities like Athy and Monasterevin.
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.
Departmental Programmes
Ceisteanna (864)
Réada Cronin
Ceist:864. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the supports available for local authorities like Kildare County Council, in developing 'Town Centre First Plans'; how these plans will be funded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42577/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Town Centre First 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 which is integral to our national economic, social, cultural and environmental well-being and development.
In December 2021, funding of €2.6 million was announced to support the development of 26 Town Centre First (TCF) Town Plans. These community-based plans are produced by individual Town Teams, drawn from local community and business representatives, and are helping communities develop a vision for their town and identify viable projects to realise that vision. This first phase of TCF plans are now complete and have moved onto project delivery phase. This includes a Town Plan for Clane which can be viewed on the TCF website at www.towncentrefirst.ie.
In February last, a new TCF suite of supports was launched with an additional allocation of €4.5 million through three funding measures, which will help regenerate town centres through a bottom-up approach. This includes an allocation of €30,000 for the development of a second phase of 26 TCF Plans, which includes Castledermot, Co. Kildare.
The 2024 suite of supports also includes a funding allocation towards the establishment and development of Town Teams nationwide. In Kildare this includes Town Teams in Monasterevin, Kilcullen and Ballymore Eustace and these teams are being established with the support of the Council’s dedicated ‘Town Regeneration Officer’ who is funded by my Department under TCF.
I also recently announced funding for 53 successful community projects under TCF. Clane was awarded funding towards preparing a development plan to expand and improve existing recreational routes in the town. This project is progressing to delivery as a direct result of the TCF Town Plan produced for Clane, showing the benefits of the Town Centre First policy and the positive impact it is having on our rural towns and villages. Monasterevin also received funding to progress a proposal to redevelop a space in the town centre which is currently car dominated.
On a wider basis, my Department administers a range of measures to support the revitalisation and regeneration of rural towns and villages including the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF). Calls for Proposals are periodically issued to local authorities who can then submit proposals in line with priorities identified in Town Centre First Plans.
All successful projects and towns supported under the TCF suite of supports are available to view on the Department's website, which can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/473d3-town-centre-first-policy/.
Departmental Schemes
Ceisteanna (865, 866, 867)
Réada Cronin
Ceist:865. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she can confirm if funding will be made available to support the necessary infrastructural improvements for projects such as the Kilcullen Market Square and Rathangan town renewal projects, which have previously been rejected for RRDF funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42579/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraRéada Cronin
Ceist:866. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the progress of the Shackleton Museum development in Athy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42580/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraRéada Cronin
Ceist:867. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will ensure that funding for Kildare’s public realm projects, such as the Barrow Blueway will be maintained, particularly given the increasing emphasis on green infrastructure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42582/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 865 to 867, inclusive, together.
My Department administers a range of measures to support the revitalisation and regeneration of rural towns and villages including the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF).
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) was introduced in 2016 and is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. Since the launch of the scheme over €177 million has been allocated to almost 1,800 projects across Ireland.
TVRS is administered through local authorities, who work closely with local communities and businesses to develop proposals that can make a lasting impact on rural towns and villages. Funding under the Scheme is awarded on a competitive basis, with all applications assessed for suitability against scheme criteria and objectives.
In 2018, my Department awarded TVRS funding to support projects which would see the development of Rathangan Market Square and Kilcullen Market Square in to multi-use spaces for their local communities. However, the Council subsequently advised that these projects would not proceed in the manner initially anticipated due a significant expansion in their planned scope, which saw a resulting increase in cost.
The Department’s Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) provides funding for the development and construction of large scale capital projects in towns, villages and rural areas across Ireland. Since 2018, funding of €584 million has been allocated to 243 projects.
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.
I announced the last round of successful projects on the 13th May 2024. Whilst under that Call, I was delighted to provide further funding to Kildare County Council which saw a total RRDF allocation of €9m being made available to support the completion of the Barrow Blueway from Athy to Lowtown, Unfortunately the applications by the Council for projects in Kilcullen and Rathangan town centres were not successful in the competitive selection process.
Separately, a range of other Kildare RRDF projects, with funding of c. €13m, are being supported by my Department. This includes, for example, the Shackleton Museum project with funding of €5.2 million. The project, led by the Council will transform the former Town Hall in Athy into a world class museum dedicated to Ernest Shackleton. The project commenced construction in November 2023 and is estimated to be completed in Q2 2025.
My officials engage with, and are available to, local authorities to provide feedback in relation to scheme proposals and in relation to the preparation of future applications.
The Town and Village Renewal 2024/25 Scheme is scheduled to launch later this year and I would encourage the community groups to engage directly with their local authority in advance to discuss the submission of an application under the Scheme.
The next call for Category 2 RRDF applications is also scheduled to launch later this year.
Question No. 866 answered with Question No. 865.
Question No. 867 answered with Question No. 865.
Departmental Projects
Ceisteanna (868)
Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:868. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide the details of costings provided to the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, in the context of the National Development Plan 2021-2030 review conducted earlier this year; and to provide a breakdown of each project and its projected cost in each of the years 2025 to 2030. [42723/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department operates a range of capital funding schemes across both its rural development programme and community development programme. These schemes include the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, the LEADER programme, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, and the Community Centre Investment Fund.
Our funding under the National Development Plan relates to the funding levels available for these overall schemes as opposed to individual projects. This is due to the value of individual projects funded under such schemes, which range from smaller projects of less than €10,000 up to the large scale projects over €10 million, and the fact that funding aims to support a large number of projects under each scheme. The information provided to the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform as part of discussions on the NDP were in the context of these schemes, rather than individual projects.
The review provided core capital funding of €201 million in 2024, €210 million in 2025 and €220 million in 2026. These capital ceilings will ensure continued delivery of the important capital schemes and programmes which are supporting rural and urban communities across the country.
Departmental Funding
Ceisteanna (869)
Richard Bruton
Ceist:869. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she can provide for several areas (details supplied) a list of all the individual projects to which her Department has provided funding since 2020, under schemes including, but not limited to the town and village renewal scheme, CLÁR, the community recognition fund, the community services programme, the LEADER programme, the local road improvement scheme, the outdoor recreation scheme, the rural regeneration and development fund, the community centre investment fund, connected hubs, the walks scheme, the seniors alert scheme, the social inclusion and community activation programme, and any library construction and upgrades, in tabular form. [42917/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department operates a large number of schemes which fund a large number of projects and groups throughout the country each year. Funding announcements, and the list of approved projects for each announcement, are published on www.gov.ie.
Information on approved allocations is collated on a county basis. Given the extent of schemes referred to, the time period referenced, and the number of projects concerned, it will take some time to compile the material requested. It should also be noted that a number of schemes are operated by other entities on behalf of the Department. Once compiled the available relevant information will be provided directly to the Deputy’s office.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51.
With reference to your recent Parliamentary Question, reference PQ Ref: 42917/24, Dáil Question 869 of 22/10/2024. My Department operates a large number of schemes aimed at supporting both rural development and community development. In order to empower local responses to local needs, the majority of schemes operated by my Department are administered in partnership with the Local Authorities, Pobal, or the Local Development Companies.
The main rural development programmes provided by my Department are:
• Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF),
• LEADER,
• Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS),
• Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS),
• Local Improvement Scheme (LIS),
• CLÁR programme.
There are also a range of other smaller supports including the Walks Scheme, Connected Hubs and Broadband Connection Points.
Key community development schemes include:
• Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP),
• Community Services Programme (CSP),
• Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF),
• Community Recognition Fund (CRF),
• Libraries Development, and
• Local Enhancement Programme (LEP)/Community Enhancement Programme (CEP).
A number of measures are also in place to strengthen the social fabric and enable communities to thrive. These include funding to support Men and Women’s Sheds, the Empowering Communities Programme, the Community Development Programme, supports for the LGBTI community, and supports for Social Enterprises. Responding to the needs of communities is central to the work of my Department. With that in mind, a number of targeted one-off measures have also been provided. These include the Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme, the COVID19 Stability Fund and additional funding for new arrivals.
My Department has provided thousands of individual grants since its establishment in 2017. With regard to funding provided for individual projects, the detail in relation to constituency areas is not available however, county level data, including location information, has been provided for the counties of Dublin Galway, Cork and Wicklow in the attached documents.
Full details of all the Department’s programmes, funding announcements, and the list of approved projects for each announcement, are published on www.gov.ie.
Departmental Schemes
Ceisteanna (870, 871)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Ceist:870. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of local improvement scheme roads repaired in each Cork county municipal district in each of the years 2021 to 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42976/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraPádraig O'Sullivan
Ceist:871. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount that was spent on local improvement scheme roads in each Cork county municipal district in 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42987/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 870 and 871 together.
The Local Improvement Scheme, or LIS, supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are generally not maintained by local authorities.
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 my Department provides funding for the Scheme, it is administered by each local authority, who are responsible for the selection and prioritisation of roads in accordance with the eligibility criteria set out in the Scheme outline.
My Department retains LIS information on a county rather than municipal area basis. Details relating to municipal areas may be available through the relevant local authorities. The table below sets out the overall funding allocated to Cork County Council in 2021, 2022, and 2023, and to date in 2024, the number of roads completed and the amount spent in tabular form under LIS.
|
Cork |
Allocated LIS Funding |
LIS Roads Completed |
Amount Paid |
|
2021 |
€1,412,738 |
29 |
€1,291,398 |
|
2022 |
€1,298,240 |
21 |
€1,268,997 |
|
2023 |
€2,755,923 |
47 |
€2,580960 |
|
2024 |
€2,588,444 |
31* TBC November |
TBC November |
Question No. 871 answered with Question No. 870.
Departmental Schemes
Ceisteanna (872)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:872. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the budget allocation for the senior alert scheme in 2023 and 2024; the budget allocation for same in 2025, in tabular form. [43128/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Funding provided by my Department supports 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 towards the purchase by a registered community-based organisation of a personal alarm or pendant.
The scheme’s allocation for 2023 to 2025 is set out in the table below. As this is a demand led scheme, it is kept under continuous review by myself and officials in my Department to ensure adequate funding can be made available to meet the requirements of all qualifying applicants. There is also provision under the Dormant Accounts Fund for funding to meet the additional and exceptional demands of the scheme.
|
2023 Allocation |
2024 Allocation |
2025 Allocation |
|
€2.3m |
€2.3m |
€2.9m |
Departmental Properties
Ceisteanna (873)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:873. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of vacant properties owned by her Department; and the number of which are houses or residential properties. [43150/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can confirm that my Department does not own any vacant properties of any type.