Written Answers Nos. 1396-1415
1396. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development for an update on the Town Centre First policy; to provide a breakdown of the amount awarded and drawn down, per town, in each county; how much additional funding was provided in Budget 2025; when he expects phase two will take place; to provide an update on this policy as part of the new Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2709/25]
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. TCF supports the Our Rural Future vision for a thriving rural Ireland by setting out a framework to facilitate and resource the regeneration of Irish towns to ensure they are vibrant, viable places to live, work, invest in, and visit.
Significant progress has been made since the launch of the Policy towards achieving its objectives. Important developments include the establishment of a dedicated National TCF Office within the Local Government Management Agency which drives the actions under the policy; the establishment of Town Teams nationally and the appointment of 26 Town Regeneration Officers in each local authority (funded by my Department) who work as central drivers of TCF at a local level; and the establishment of a National Oversight and Advisory Group which oversees delivery of the TCF policy.
In December 2021, funding of €2.6 million was announced to support the development of 26 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. These Town Plans can be viewed on the TCF website at www.towncentrefirst.ie/.
In February 2024, a new TCF suite of supports was launched with of €4.5 million made allocated 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 further 26 TCF plans. The 2024 suite of supports also includes a funding allocation towards the establishment and development of Town Teams nationwide and to allow towns prepare for major projects via the ‘Project Development Measure’. Further details of successful projects can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/473d3-town-centre-first-policy/#town-centre-first-suite-of-supports-2024. These projects are due to be completed later this year.
The tabular statement at the link below provides a detailed breakdown of funding awarded and drawn down to date per town in each county under these funding measures to support the implementation of the Town Centre First policy.
As can be seen from the 33 actions contained within the policy, the significance of TCF is that it provides an integrated policy approach for the development of Irish towns rather than being a funded programme in and of itself. Importantly, the TCF approach is also underpinned by a range of capital funding streams across Government which have been aligned with the policy aims of TCF. These include:
• The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (including €164m announced from 30 projects in May 2024)
• The Town and Village Renewal Scheme (including €20m announced for 82 projects in April 2024)
• The THRIVE scheme to revitalise our heritage buildings (including €85m in funding earlier this month)
• The Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (including €1.9bn allocated under 3 rounds to date)
The experience of recent calls for applications under these funds has shown that the TCF approach is having an impact, and this has resulted in high quality applications based on clear local input being submitted.
Town Centre First was been developed in conjunction with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Falling within the parameters of this policy, I would refer to the publication ‘Bringing Back Homes’ which details over 20 incentives, funded measures and grants to support a reversal of housing vacancy and dereliction. Some of the main supports available and provided by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage include the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant under the Croí Cónaithe initiative, the Repair and Leasing Scheme, the Buy and Renew Scheme, and the Living City Initiative.
It is important that momentum is maintained in the delivery of the TCF policy. Some of the key priorities for the National TCF Office this year include the publication of the TCF National Toolkit to support delivery, which establishes a clear methodology and approach to the development and structure of future town plans, and the rollout of capacity building supports for Town Teams. Also, there is ongoing research and consultation to help identify examples of best practice which can be implemented in towns across Ireland.
The new Programme for Government commits to resourcing the Town Centre First model and to establish a Town Regeneration Team in every local authority. My Department will continue to work closely with colleagues in the National TCF Office, local authorities and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to deliver on the goal of revitalising rural towns and villages.
1397. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will publish the Ministerial brief he received following the recent formation of the Government. [2767/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm it is my intention to publish the Ministerial brief I received in due course.
1398. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the grant aid and funding available from her Department to a community group to assist in the provision and installation of a defibrillator in a public space. [2795/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides a range of rural and community investment supports, some of which can be used to support the purchase of capital equipment such as defibrillators.
The Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) provides small scale funding to community groups and organisations across Ireland, with a focus on areas of disadvantage. The purchase of defibrillators has been facilitated under the fund in previous years. The LEP 2025 is now open to applications and is administered on behalf of my Department locally by Local Community Development Committees across the country, with support from their local authority.
The purchase of community defibrillators is eligible in principle for funding under the LEADER Programme. Groups should contact their Local Action Group to discuss the eligibility of any potential project.
The CLÁR programme is a targeted investment programme that provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas. Defibrillators may be funded as part of a larger community project under CLÁR. The 2025 CLÁR programme will open for applications in the coming months.
The purchase of a defibrillator may also form part of a lager community project under schemes such as the Community Recognition Fund.
Details of all of my Department's schemes are available on my Department's website.
1399. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the 2024 and 2025 budget allocation for the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme within his Department, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2860/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
The budget allocation for ORIS and associated outdoor recreation investments was €16 million in 2024 and the same provision has been made for 2025. The 2024 allocation was increased during the year to €17.5 million through savings available elsewhere in order to meet additional demand under the scheme.
ORIS 2024/2025 was launched on 17th October last year. The scheme is currently open for applications through local authorities and local development companies. I look forward to announcing successful projects later in the year.
1400. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of contracts a company (details supplied) had with his Department in 2024 and to-date in 2025; the nature of services this company provided to his Department; and the amount his Department paid the company for such works, in tabular form. [2894/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department had no contracts with the company referenced in either 2024 or to date in 2025.
1401. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to list the level of child poverty in each of the electoral areas of Ennis, Ennistymon, Killaloe, Kilrush, and Shannon, in County Clare for each of the years 2011 to 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2968/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra1402. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to list the level of fuel poverty in each of the electoral areas of Ennis, Ennistymon, Killaloe, Kilrush, and Shannon, in County Clare for each of the years 2011 to 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2970/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra1404. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to list the median household income in each of the electoral areas of Ennis, Ennistymon, Killaloe, Kilrush, and Shannon, in County Clare for each of the years 2011 to 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2972/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra1413. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the level of child poverty in each of the electoral areas of Ennis, Ennistymon, Killaloe, Kilrush, and Shannon, in the County of Clare for each of the years 2011 to 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3392/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra1415. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the level of fuel poverty in each of the electoral areas of Ennis, Ennistymon, Killaloe, Kilrush, and Shannon, in the County of Clare for each of the years 2011 to 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3394/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra1417. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the median household income in each of the electoral areas of Ennis, Ennistymon, Killaloe, Kilrush, and Shannon, in the County of Clare for each of the years 2011 to 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3396/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1401, 1402, 1404, 1413, 1415 and 1417 together.
Pobal’s HP Deprivation Index is Ireland’s primary social gradient tool, used by many Government Departments, including my own, and state agencies for the identification of disadvantage, in order to target resources towards communities most in need.
The Index is a robust and reliable tool, using data from Ireland’s census to identify relative levels of affluence or disadvantage across geographic areas throughout the country.
The HP Deprivation index uses a number of variables to determine area deprivation scores, however it is not a tool for collection and reporting of specific metrics such as median income, fuel poverty levels or levels of child poverty in particular areas.
I would recommend the deputy contact the Central Statistics Office who may be in a position to provide the requested information.
1403. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to list the deprivation rates in each of the electoral areas of Ennis, Ennistymon, Killaloe, Kilrush, and Shannon, in County Clare for each of the years 2011 to 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2971/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Pobal HP Deprivation Index is Ireland’s primary social gradient tool, used by many Government Departments, including my own, and state agencies for the identification of disadvantage, in order to target resources towards communities most in need.
The Index is a robust and reliable tool, using data from Ireland’s census to identify relative levels of affluence or disadvantage across geographic areas throughout the country.
The current iteration of the Index uses data from Census 2022, analysing ten measures of an area’s levels of disadvantage. These include educational attainment, employment status and the numbers living in individual households. More detailed information on the index can be found on the Pobal website at www.pobal.ie/.
The below table sets out a breakdown of HP Deprivation Index scores for the County Clare Electoral Areas of Ennis, Ennistymon, Killaloe, Kilrush, and Shannon for each of the years 2011 to 2024.
The current Local Electoral Areas (LEA) reflect the changes as defined in the Local Electoral Areas Order 2018. Prior to 2018, the Local Electoral Areas of Ennistymon and Kilrush had not come into effect, and the electoral area of West Clare comprised of both at that time. As such specific HP Deprivation Index scores for those areas are not available prior to 2018.
For the purposes of making the data comparable when looking back at the other Local Electoral Areas data, the West Clare 2022 Deprivation Index score has been recalculated using a weighted average from the Ennistymon and Kilrush Local Electoral Areas.
|
LEA Name |
2006 HP Deprivation Index |
2011 HP Deprivation Index |
2016 HP Deprivation Index |
2022 HP Deprivation Index |
|
Ennis |
1.0 |
1.4 |
1.2 |
1.14 |
|
Killaloe |
2.0 |
1.7 |
1.6 |
2.88 |
|
Shannon |
1.0 |
1.0 |
.6 |
0.3 |
|
West Clare (Split in 2018) |
-3.5 |
-3.9 |
-3.4 |
-2.4 |
|
Ennistymon (Created in 2018) |
NA |
NA |
NA |
0.35 |
|
Kilrush (Created in 2018) |
NA |
NA |
NA |
-4.62 |
1405. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide a schedule of special advisers attached to him, as of 29 January 2025; and the official grade and or title held by that special adviser. [3004/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs of 29th January 2025, I have not yet appointed any Special Advisers to support me in my work at the Department of Rural and Community Development.
1406. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the projects in counties Carlow and Kilkenny that were funded from the most recent CLÁR programme, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3124/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe CLÁR programme provides targeted investment for small scale infrastructural projects in defined rural areas.
Since 2023, 9 projects have been approved funding of almost €357,000 in Carlow and 13 projects have been approved funding of over €516,000 in Kilkenny. These projects are listed below.
|
2023 Carlow Projects |
||
|
Old Leighlin GAA |
Improvement works to parking and access |
€49,950 |
|
Garryhill Handball Club |
Repair, resurfacing and weatherproofing of handball alley. |
€40,500 |
|
St. Patrick's N.S. Ballymurphy |
An all-weather surface playing pitch, high fencing and goal posts. |
€22,829 |
|
Ballymurphy Hall |
Energy conservation and insulation works |
€42,791 |
|
St. Brendan's National School |
Resurface current tarmac court with porplastic surface, and new sports facilities. |
€41,729 |
|
St. Michael's National School Newtown, Borris, Co Carlow |
Sensory garden |
€28,620 |
|
Drumphea National School |
Soft play area |
€40,680 |
|
7 Projects |
€267,099 |
|
2024 Carlow Projects |
||
|
Scoil Moling Glynn |
Installation of an AstroTurf pitch on the school grounds |
€45,000 |
|
St. Patrick's N.S. Ballymurphy |
All-weather walking/running track |
€44,538 |
|
2 Projects |
€89,538 |
|
2023 Kilkenny Projects |
||
|
Tullogher Rosbercon GAA Club |
Provision of tarmacadam car park, passing bay and emergency access road to new playing field. |
€50,000 |
|
Muckalee Football Club |
Provision of completed carpark at the grounds |
€50,000 |
|
Kilmoganny GAA |
Upgrade car park and walkway. |
€30,150 |
|
St Martins GAA |
Lighting, nets, railing and gates |
€44,766 |
|
Kilkenny County Council and Coolagh Community Group |
Upgrade works outside community hall |
€45,000 |
|
Kilkenny County Council Muckalee Public Lighting |
Upgrade of public lighting |
€24,750 |
|
Galmoy Community Hall |
Provision of a MUGA |
€30,015 |
|
Windgap Tidy Towns |
Provide tarmac surface at Windgap Lake car park. |
€20,788 |
|
8 Projects |
€295,469 |
|
2024 Kilkenny Projects |
||
|
Order Of Malta Ambulance Corp- Kilkenny |
Purchase of a van and conversion to a CEN compliant ambulance. |
€72,000 |
|
Ballyouskill Development Association LTD |
Improvements to and upgrade of facilities of the community hall including resurfacing the carpark and repairs to the hall |
€36,641 |
|
Windgap Handball Alley |
External insulation of two outside walls |
€29,419 |
|
Naomh Aodhan Community Centre CLG |
Upgrade works on rebuilding and refurbishing of handball alley and ground works |
€44,312 |
|
Windgap GAA |
Works to include tarmac to drive way and parking area |
€38,307 |
|
5 Projects |
€220,679 |
1407. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if his Department or any body under its aegis currently outsources cleaning services and/or service officer/security officer roles to private companies; the value and length of any related contract, by body, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3203/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra1408. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if his Department or any body under its aegis currently directly employs cleaners and/or service officers; if so, the number of staff employed in each role; the value and length of any related contract, by body, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3221/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1407 and 1408 together.
My Department employs one full time Service Officer. No cleaners are directly employed by the Department.
There are four agencies under my Department’s remit; the Western Development Commission, Pobal, Water Safety Ireland and the Charities Regulator. These agencies are independent legal entities responsible for managing their own corporate affairs. Information relating to cleaning services and service officer/security provided under contracts therefore, is a matter for each of the bodies concerned. However, I am informed that none of these bodies employ Service Officers or cleaners directly.
The table below sets out details of cleaning and security services which are provided under contract to my Department for its head office in Trinity Point, Dublin 2. As DRCD are the lead tenant, it also contracts services for the cleaning of common areas in the building, and these form a separate contract listed below.
|
Service |
Contractor |
Amount(Ex VAT) |
Duration |
|
Reception/Security Services |
MCR Global DRCD Trinity Point |
€ 50,722.10 |
6 months |
|
Commercial Cleaning Services - DRCD Offices |
5 Star Cleaning |
€15,256.20 |
12 months |
|
Commercial Cleaning Services - Common Areas - Trinity Point |
5 Star Cleaning |
€10,822.00 |
6 months |
1409. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he plans to make an allocation of funding to local authorities under the LIS scheme in 2025; and if he will seek match funding from the Minister for Transport to boost the funding allocation to assist local authorities in reducing their LIS waiting lists. [3236/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to the support of rural communities including a commitment to increase funding under the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS). 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 Government to local authorities for LIS and this includes funding allocated for the period 2024/2025. This funding has resulted in improvement works on nearly 4,500 roads, benefitting over 20,000 landowners and residents in these rural areas.
I am conscious of the important supports provided to rural communities under the LIS, and I will be engaging with my colleague the Minister for Transport to request that his Department make a contribution to co-funding the scheme.
1410. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the total value of the annual mileage claims for each Ministers of State assigned to his Department in 2023 and 2024 respectively; to provide a breakdown for each year of the individual claims; the annual cost of overnight allowances related to the civilian drivers of each relevant Minister of State in 2023 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3257/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Rural and Community Development had one Minister of State assigned during the period in question. The details of the total value of annual mileage claimed by the Department's former Minister of State, Joe O'Brien, in 2023 and 2024 were as follows:
|
Year |
Value of Mileage Claimed (€) |
|
2023 |
€13,012.50 |
|
2024 |
€9,368.94 |
The details of the total annual overnight allowances claimed by the Civilian Drivers to the former Minister of State, Joe O'Brien in 2023 and 2024 were as follows:
|
Year |
Value of Overnights Claimed (€) |
|
2023 |
€422 |
|
2024 |
€194 |
1411. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to list the composition of his private office, inclusive of the grade and increment of each civil servant assigned to their office; whether they are located in the private or constituency office; the value of any allowance paid to those individuals and the purpose of each allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3275/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn my new role as Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, I am in the process of reviewing my staff requirements.
Currently, my private office comprises one Parliamentary Assistant and two Secretarial Assistants. One of the Secretarial Assistants is in place to support me on my constituency work and the others are in place to support my work in the Oireachtas.
None of my assistants are Civil Servants and they do not receive any form of allowance.
1412. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the level of consistent poverty in each of the electoral areas of Ennis, Ennistymon, Killaloe, Kilrush, and Shannon, in County Clare, for each of the years 2011 to 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3391/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra1414. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the level of food poverty in each of the electoral areas of Ennis, Ennistymon, Killaloe, Kilrush, and Shannon, in the County of Clare for each of the years 2011 to 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3393/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1412 and 1414 together.
Pobal’s HP Deprivation Index is Ireland’s primary social gradient tool, used by many Government Departments, including my own, and state agencies for the identification of disadvantage, in order to target resources towards communities most in need.
The Index is a robust and reliable tool, using data from Ireland’s census to identify relative levels of affluence or disadvantage across geographic areas throughout the country.
The HP Deprivation index uses a number of variables to determine area deprivation scores, however it is not a tool for collection and reporting of specific metrics such as food poverty or consistent poverty in particular areas.
I would recommend the deputy contact the Central Statistics Office who may be in a position to provide the requested information.
