Written Answers Nos. 1326-1340
1326. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there is funding available for upgrading existing playgrounds; to provide a list of such funding and timelines for applying; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43940/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department recognises the importance of playgrounds in communities throughout Ireland. Applications for the delivery and upgrade of playgrounds are welcome under a number of schemes operated by my Department such as the CLÁR Programme, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS), the LEADER programme, the Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) and the Community Recognition Fund (CRF).
The CLÁR programme provides funding for small-scale projects in rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population. Since the programme was relaunched in 2016, it has supported a wide range of measures, including investment in playgrounds.
I was very happy to make the recent announcement of the successful projects under measure 1 of the 2024 CLÁR programme. In total, funding of over €11.4 million was approved for 264 projects which are developing community facilities and amenities including playgrounds. It is intended that a new iteration of the scheme will open for applications in Quarter 1 next year.
Support for playground facilities often forms part of applications for larger amenity projects under the TVRS. Successful projects under the 2023 TVRS were announced in April of this year with funding of €20.4 million allocated to 82 projects under the scheme. Funding for the refurbishment and development of existing playgrounds along with the creation of new playgrounds were some of the successful projects announced as part of this funding. The next iteration of the TVRS is due to open for applications in the coming weeks.
The LEADER Programme aims to deliver a range of actions to rural communities over the lifetime of the policy. Support under the LEADER programme is provided under a broad range of themes, including Rural Infrastructure and Social Inclusion. Funding for improvement works to playgrounds may be provided under this theme, and prospective applicants are advised to contact their Local Action Group, through their Implementing Partner in the first instance, to discuss a potential project.
The CEP provides capital funding to community groups in disadvantaged areas across Ireland, and can include funding for playgrounds. The CEP is administered locally on behalf of my Department by Local Community Development Committees across the country, with support from their local authority. A new round of the CEP will be announced shortly.
The CRF 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 under the Community Recognition Fund was announced last March.
Applications under the current round of funding can be submitted by local authorities to my Department across three phases. The closing dates for receipt of applications under the final phase is January 31st, 2025.
Local authorities are required to engage and collaborate with communities to identify the most appropriate projects for support. It is a matter for each local authority to identify the most appropriate locations for funding based on their analysis of the level of arrivals in each location and in the context of previous funding supports and local needs. The CRF has supported a number of playgrounds across the country.
Further details on each of these funds can be found on my Department's website.
1327. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the grants available to a facility (details supplied) to purchase a site for the development of a new centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44087/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has a number of capital programmes designed to support community groups wishing to purchase a site for the development of new centres. Subject to meeting individual scheme requirements, applications for the purchase of land to develop new centres can be made under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS), the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), the LEADER programme and also the Community Recognition Fund (CRF).
The 2023 TVRS placed particular emphasis on projects that bring economic and social vibrancy to town centres in line with Government’s policies, making them better places to live, work, socialise and raise a family. The acquisition of land in town centres which supports local authorities with the development of town regeneration or community focused projects such as town parks and plazas was one of the types of activities supported under the 2023 Scheme.
Each year, the priorities of the scheme are reviewed to ensure that funding is targeted effectively to support vibrant and attractive communities. This will continue with future calls for proposals under the scheme. The core aims of Town Centre First policy and the needs of communities around Ireland will be at the heart of any changes made.
The RRDF provides investment to support suitable projects in towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000, and outlying areas. The RRDF provides funding for the development and construction of large scale capital projects in towns, villages and rural areas across Ireland.
Calls for applications to the Fund are sought under two categories – Category 1 and Category 2. Category 1 relates to large scale ambitious capital projects with all necessary planning and other consents in place and ready to proceed. Category 2 provides grant funding to enable the development of project proposals suitable for future calls for Category 1 applications.
I announced the last round of successful projects for Category 1 funding on the 13th May 2024. Only last week I opened a new call for applications under Category 2 with a closing date of 14th March 2025.
Funding under the 2023-2027 LEADER programme may also be available to support this type of activity. While LEADER funding would not support the purchase of land or buildings as a standalone project, the LEADER programme may provide grant aid, not exceeding 10% of the overall project costs, where the purchase of land or buildings formed part of a larger project.
Prospective applicants should, in the first instance, contact their relevant Local Action Group, through its Implementing Partner, to discuss the eligibility of the project and the funding that may be available. Details of the Local Action Groups are available on my Department's website.
The CRF 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 under the Community Recognition Fund was announced last March.
Applications under the current round of funding can be submitted by local authorities across three phases. The closing dates for receipt of applications under the final phase is January 31st, 2025.
Local authorities are required to engage and collaborate with communities to identify the most appropriate projects for support. The purchase of land can be considered where it fits with the other criteria of the fund. Any potential applicant should contact their local authority directly for more information on the application process.
Further details on each of these funds can be found on my Department's website.
1328. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of staff vacancies, by grade, in her Department at the end of August 2023 and August 2024; and the number of staff, by grade, on a career break of more than five years and more than six years, at the end of August 2023 and August 2024. [44132/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the establishment of my Department in 2017 the deployment of staffing resources is under constant review with bi-annual workforce planning meetings held between Human Resources and each business unit. Where there are vacancies identified, recruitment processes are in place. If absolutely necessary, staff members can serve in an acting capacity on a short term basis to ensure continuity in the delivery of our wide range of schemes and programmes.
There were seven vacancies at various grades in my Department at the end of August 2023, and nine at the end of August 2024. Details are set out in the table below.
There were no staff on career breaks of more than five and six years at the end of August 2023 or 2024.
|
End August 2023 (7) |
End August 2024 (9) |
|
Assistant Secretary General |
Principal Officer x 2 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
Assistant Principal Officer x 2 |
|
Administrative Officer |
Higher Executive Officer |
|
Executive Officer x2 |
Administrative officer |
|
Clerical Officer x 2 |
Executive Officer |
|
|
Clerical Officer |
|
|
Services Officer |
1329. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the steps he proposes to guarantee unimpeded rights of access to local authority-owned graveyards (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44141/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has legislative responsibility for burial grounds, however the actual operation of burial grounds (graveyards) 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.
Local authorities also have powers to make bye-laws in relation to burial grounds.
Accordingly, my Department has no role in relation to this matter.
1330. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there are plans to increase the wage allowance to community organisations participating in the community services programme to reflect the increasing costs for participating organisations. [44177/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's Community Services Programme (CSP) currently supports over 430 community-based organisations, with a budget of €52.4m in 2024, to provide local services through a social enterprise model. CSP provides an annual co-funding contribution towards each full-time equivalent (FTE) position being supported and, where warranted, towards the cost of employing a manager.
The CSP contribution per FTE position is not aligned with the minimum wage and is not intended to meet the full salary cost of supported posts. It is an annual contribution that must be co-funded by the organisations concerned from other sources to address any funding gaps to meet, at a minimum, the national minimum wage rates that are applicable to their employees.
Notwithstanding the above, the new funding rate allocation model, which came into effect on 1st of January 2023, was designed to support those organisations assessed as being most in need, providing a higher rate of funding to supported organisations identified as operating in areas of high disadvantage, employing individuals from the prescribed programme target groups and with evidence of limited earning potential. In addition to these revised allocations, a reduction in full-time hours from 39 to 37.5 hours was approved under the redesigned CSP programme, to narrow the co-funding gap for CSP supported employees even further.
I am aware of the increase in costs for CSP-supported organisations and my department is reviewing the current level of supports, with a view to providing additional supports in 2025, within the available budget.
1331. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of civil servants, by grade, in her Department who were on a career break in 2023 and 2024; the number of those who in 2023 and 2024 who were on a career break of five years or more; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44309/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere were five staff on career break in 2023 and six to date in 2024 within my Department, details are set out below. There were no staff on career breaks of five years or more in length in 2023 or 2024.
|
2023 (five) |
2024 (six) |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
Assistant Principal Officer (two) |
|
Administrative Officer (two) |
Administrative officer |
|
Executive Officer |
Executive Officer |
|
Clerical Officer |
Clerical Officer (two) |
1332. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she is satisfied that the provisions of the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform Circular 4/2013 are being properly implemented by her Department; if he is satisfied that civil servants whose career breaks are coming to an end are being notified of appropriate vacancies; if she is concerned by instances where civil servants are having their career breaks extended unnecessarily where the Department has appropriate vacancies to fill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44382/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that all provisions set out in the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform Circular 4/2013 are implemented within my Department.
My Department currently has six staff members on career breaks. All staff nearing the end of their career break have notified the Department of their intentions to return and my Department has the appropriate vacancies for these staff members to return to work, as has been the case since the Department was established in 2017. I have no concerns regarding extensions to careers breaks due to any lack of vacancies within the Department.
1333. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a school (details supplied) in Offaly is located an area eligible for Clár funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44615/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe CLÁR Programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population over a defined period.
A list of the CLÁR designated rural areas can be viewed on my Department's website at the following link CLÁR Funding Area Maps and District Electoral Division (DED) Lists (www.gov.ie)
I can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy is not situated in a CLÁR DED area and is therefore not located in an area eligible to apply for CLÁR funding.
I have, however, developed a suite of supports for communities in rural areas so that there are a range of different funding options available to rural communities, be they in CLÁR areas or otherwise. There is the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme and the Community Recognition Fund to name a few.
Many of these targeted funding schemes are administered through the local authority network. It is a matter for the local authorities to engage and collaborate with communities with a view to maximising the potential funding in areas, taking account of the various funds available throughout the year. They are well placed to assess the need locally.
Details on all of the funding programmes available can be found on my Department's website.
1334. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the name, location and number of participants and managers on all the community services projects in counties Mayo and Galway; the number of applications on hand for new projects in both counties including their location; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44779/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's Community Services Programme (CSP) currently supports over 430 community-based organisations, to provide local services through a social enterprise model, with an annual co-funding contribution towards each full-time equivalent (FTE) position being supported, and, where warranted, towards the cost of employing a manager.
Following an independent review of the programme, the CSP Programme was restructured and a needs-based, differentiated funding allocation model was introduced for the Programme from January 2023, as an alternative to the previous flat rate payment model. This new model was designed to support those organisations most in need, providing a higher rate of funding to supported organisations that are identified as operating in areas of high disadvantage, employing individuals from the prescribed programme target groups and with evidence of limited earning potential.
According to the most recent information available, there are currently 35 single service organisations supported by CSP funding in Co. Mayo and 24 organisations providing 25 services in Co. Galway, as set out in the spreadsheet provided.
In March 2023, funding of €1m was made available for a new Call for Proposals in respect of specific CSP services, which resulted in 14 additional organisations being approved entry to the CSP Programme on 13th of December 2023, supporting 13 manager positions and 23 FTE positions. Applications are on hand from the following organisations from Counties Galway and Mayo. Funding of these and other applications on hand will be subject to available resources:
• Venture Out Wilderness Project, based in Co. Galway, requested support for two FTEs.
• Charlestown Bellaghy and Districts Recreational Centre based in Charlestown, Co. Mayo, requested support for two FTEs.
1335. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the projects that were funded under the town and village renewal scheme in County Kildare in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [44838/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraOur Rural Future, Ireland's Rural Development Policy 2021 – 2025, represents the Irish Government’s blueprint for the sustainable development of rural Ireland. It sets out a vision for a thriving rural Ireland, and to that end establishes a strategic framework for the delivery of capital investment under my Department's Rural Development Investment Programme. The delivery of these actions will enhance the wellbeing and quality of life for people living in our rural towns and villages.
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. Of this over €4.2 million has been allocated to 57 projects in Kildare and details of all of these projects can be found on my Department’s website.
The 2023 Scheme placed particular emphasis on projects that bring economic and social vibrancy to town centres in line with Government policies, which will encourage more people into town and village centres to work, live, socialise and spend time in. In April of this year, I announced €20.4 million in funding to support 82 successful projects under the 2023 Scheme, of which Kildare has been allocated €348,000 for two projects in Calverstown and Kildare town.
Earlier this year, I launched a series of measures under the Town Centre First to regenerate town centres. On 23 August I announced €2.6 million in funding to support 53 successful projects, of which Kildare has been allocated €79,335 for two projects in Clane and Monasterevin.
Details of projects allocated funding in Kildare under TVRS in 2023 and 2024 are provided below:
|
Year |
Scheme |
Town or Village |
Amount Approved |
Description of Project |
|
2023 |
TVRS Main Scheme |
Kildare town |
€150,000 |
An activation programme to establish a successful weekly market, aligned to recently introduced market byelaws for Kildare Town Square. |
|
2023 |
TVRS Main Scheme |
Calverstown |
€198,000 |
Purchase of a serviced site in the centre of Calverstown Village for future development of a community space. |
|
2024 |
TVRS/TCF Project Development Measure |
Monasterevin |
€34,335 |
Support for the securing of planning, public consultation and surveys for the redevelopment of a space in the town centre to include quality paving, improved signage, seating and lighting. |
|
2024 |
TVRS/TCF Project Development Measure |
Clane |
€45,000 |
Develop a detailed design for Wayfing, Town Branding and upgrading of existing recreational routes along the River Liffey that could be used for hiking, cycling and mountain biking. |
|
|
|
Total |
€427,335 |
|
1336. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of mobile phones issued to staff in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and the total costs expended by her Department on handsets and phones bills over the same timeframe. [44867/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s information and communication technology services, including mobile phone services, are provided on a shared service basis by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO). The OGCIO has a contract in place for the supply of mobile phone services, awarded on foot of a public procurement process.
The mobile phones are generally provided as part of the overall contract costs within a specified plan. A small number of phones were also purchased directly by the Department. The total number of mobile phones held by staff in my Department, and the related costs for the period in question, are detailed below. It should be noted that billing cycles do not align with the calendar year, and costs incurred in one year can relate to service provision in the previous year.
|
|
2022 |
2023 |
2024 (to date) |
|
Number of mobile phones held by staff |
88 |
91 |
94 |
|
Total costs relating to mobile phone devices and telephony services |
€29,239.20 |
€39,887.55 |
€26,388.95 |
1337. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if matters raised in correspondence in relation to a club (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if an update on the grant under the Community Centre Investment Fund will be provided. [44922/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the 2022 Community Centre Investment Fund, over €45.8 million was committed for improvement and refurbishment works on over 860 existing community centres across Ireland. In April, I approved funding of €30 million for the construction of 12 new community centres across nine counties.
In June this year, I was delighted to announce a further round of funding to support community groups to upgrade and refurbish the community facilities in their areas. The Community Centre Investment Fund 2024 will provide funding of between €10,000 and €100,000 towards capital costs for the refurbishment of existing community centres.
The window for applying for the scheme closed in early September. I understand that over 1,060 applications were received under CCIF 2024. I can confirm that the club referred to by the Deputy has submitted an application under Category 2 of the Community Centre Investment Fund 2024. All applications are currently being assessed and I expect to begin announcing successful projects as soon as that process has been finalised.
1338. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to detail the projects in counties Cavan and Monaghan that received funding under the Clár programme; and the amount of funding received in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [45004/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's CLÁR scheme is a targeted investment programme that provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects in rural areas that experience disadvantage and significant levels of de-population.
The measures being funded under CLÁR 2024 are:
Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities & Amenities (funding up to €50,000).
Measure 2: Mobility, Cancer Care, First Responder and Meals on Wheels Transport (funding up to €100,000).
Measure 3: Our Islands (funding up to €120,000).
On 13 September 2024 I announced funding of over €2.1 million for 49 projects in respect of CLÁR measure 2.
On 7 October 2024, I was pleased to announce funding of over €11.4 million for 264 projects under CLÁR measure 1 to develop community facilities and amenities.
Details of all projects can found on my Department's website.
Successful projects include supports for a vast array of projects which will benefit people of all ages and abilities such as astro-turf pitches, playgrounds, sensory gardens, walking tracks, community gyms wheelchair accessible transport and meals on wheels vehicles.
My officials are currently assessing all applications under measure 3 of the CLÁR programme and I look forward to announcing the successful projects in the coming weeks.
Since 2023, 30 projects have been funded in Cavan to the value of over €1.3million and 33 projects funded in Monaghan also to the value of over €1.3 million. Please find tables below detailing the projects approved in both Counties since 2023:
1339. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the position regarding certain grant applications (details supplied) made to her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45148/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the 2022 Community Centre Investment Fund, over €45.8 million was committed for improvement and refurbishment works on over 860 existing community centres across Ireland. In April, I approved funding of €30 million for the construction of 12 new community centres across nine counties.
In June this year, I was delighted to announce a further round of funding to support community groups to upgrade and refurbish the community facilities in their areas. The Community Centre Investment Fund 2024 will provide funding of between €10,000 and €100,000 towards capital costs for the refurbishment of existing community centres.
The window for applying for the scheme closed in early September. I understand that over 1,060 applications were received under CCIF 2024. I can confirm that the organisation referred to by the Deputy has submitted an application under Category 2 of the Community Centre Investment Fund 2024. All applications are currently being assessed and I expect to begin announcing successful projects before the end of the year.
The Dormant Accounts Fund Growing Social Enterprise Scheme 2024 will provide funding of between €1,500 and €100,000 to social enterprises in order to help them increase capacity or develop new avenues of trading. Pobal administer this scheme on behalf of the Department and are currently appraising the applications received. I can also confirm that the organisation referred to by the Deputy has submitted an application under the Growing Social Enterprise Fund. It is expected that the list of successful organisations will be announced later this year.
1340. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the towns within County Meath that were funded for works under the rural regeneration and development fund in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [45181/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
In 2022, Meath County Council was awarded funding under the RRDF Category 2 call for funding of two projects, as outlined below.
On the 31st October I announced the opening of the latest call for Category 2 funding under the RRDF.
|
Year Funding Awarded |
Project Name |
RRDF Funding |
|
2022 |
Dunshaughlin Courthouse and Town Centre |
€ 952,600 |
|
2022 |
Oldcastle Town Centre |
€ 854,500 |
|
Total |
|
€ 1,807,100 |
