Written Answers Nos. 895-914
895. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to detail the total expenditure on public procurement by his Department and its agencies, including spending on goods, services and works acquired through public procurement processes, in each of the past five years, in tabular form. [13555/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the Office of Government Procurement’s guidance (Public Procurement Guidelines for Goods and Services), and the procurement thresholds within that guidance, my Department maintains a register of all contracts with a value of over €25,000 (exclusive of VAT) entered into each year. The table below provides the information requested by the Deputy, based on that register, and inclusive of the VAT charged on those contracts.
|
Year |
Total |
|
2024 |
€4,103,853 |
|
2023 |
€11,720,038 |
|
2022 |
€17,033,871 |
|
2021 |
€9,653,436 |
|
2020 |
€5,722,193 |
The Deputy should note that my Department has responsibility for procuring cargo and passenger ferry services to offshore islands and the maintenance and upkeep of the airports on same, hence the high value of services procured over the period. Approximately 84 per cent of the expenditure above is related to transport services and works for the islands as a core responsibility of the Department. Comprehensive details of these services, and others, have been provided in an earlier PQ (7512/25) covering the same period.
My Department publishes detailed financial information on a regular basis, including details of consultancy payments and information on all payments over €20,000 made in a given year. This information is available on the Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/294dc7-financial-information/
With regard to the agencies under my Department’s remit, there are four; the Western Development Commission, Pobal, Irish Water Safety, and the Charities Regulator. They are all independent legal entities governed by independent boards and executives and therefore are independent in their own financial, operational and governance matters, including managing their own procurement arrangements.
896. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide a list of regulatory, appeal or other bodies, either funded by or under the remit of his Department, which are quasi-judicial in nature. [13581/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are two bodies under the remit of my Department which are quasi-judicial in nature.
The Charities Regulatory Authority (the ‘Charities Regulator’) was established in October 2014 pursuant to the Charities Act 2009. The Charities Regulator is the State organisation responsible for registering and regulating all of Ireland’s charities, and, where necessary, conducting statutory investigations into the operation of charities. The Charities Regulator is under the aegis of my department. The Charities Regulator is fully independent in the performance of its statutory functions.
The Charity Appeals Tribunal was established under Section 75 of the Charities Act 2009. The tribunal is a statutory body established with effect from 1 August 2016. The function of the tribunal is to hear and adjudicate on appeals against certain decisions of the Charities Regulator, under Section 45 of the Charities Act 2009. The tribunal is independent in the performance of its statutory duties. My Department provides secretariat support to the Charity Appeals Tribunal.
897. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if work has begun on the control of dogs and dog breeding establishment miscellaneous Bill; how he intends to amend the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 and the Control of Dogs Acts; the consultations he intends to hold; and if he will provide for pre-legislative scrutiny. [13607/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Dog Control Stakeholder Group established by my Department in 2024 have been tasked with considering the policy and legislative matters currently under the remit of my Department, specifically the Dog Control Acts and the Dog Breeding Establishments Act. The stakeholder group meet regularly and the work of the group is wide ranging and complex in nature. The group's remit includes considering the need for legislative change. This requires in depth analysis and consultation to ensure amendments are not just robust, fit for purpose and implementable but that they also deliver the best outcomes for communities and for dogs themselves. This work will take some time, however once Heads of a Bill are approved by Government, pre-legislative scrutiny follows in the normal course.
As part of the Programme for Government, the Government has set out how it intends to provide for an enhanced approach to dog control issues. In this regard, all legislation and policy in relation to the Control of Dogs, Dog Welfare and Dog Breeding Establishments will rest with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Discussions are currently ongoing between my Department and that Department to implement this Transfer of Functions in a timely manner.
In the meantime, I am fully committed to progressing the work in this area.
898. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 1750 of 22 January 2025, to provide an update on structural and demolition works on a project (details supplied); the amount expended to date on works at the site; the next envisaged phase in the development of the project; when it is expected to be put out to tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13783/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) is a strategic capital investment fund that is key to the delivery of Ireland's rural development policy, Our Rural Future 2021-2025. RRDF provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns and villages and rural areas across Ireland. Funding is allocated to local authorities and other State-funded bodies, who take the lead role in individual projects.
Cork County Council is the lead partner for the Youghal Public Library project and is responsible for managing the works schedule. It was awarded funding of c. €4.05m under the third Call for Category 1 proposals to the RRDF in 2021. The amount of RRDF funding drawn down to date is c. €250,000. Works will see the renovation and extension of derelict buildings and a site on Youghal's North Main Street to provide a new library and revitalised streetscape.
Cork County Council has confirmed that the status of the project remains substantially as was the case in the response to the Parliamentary Question on the same matter (No. 1750 of 22 January 2025).
The Council has advised my officials that on completion of the phase 1 works, which are ongoing and which will be completed in the coming weeks, a substantive tender to deliver the project will be advertised. The Council has advised that the project is estimated to be completed by end 2026.
899. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of contracts a company (details supplied) has had with his Department in 2024 and to date in 2025; the nature of services this company provided to his Department in the period in question; and the amount his Department paid this company for such services in each of the years in question, in tabular form. [13847/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has not had any contracts with the company referenced in 2024 and to date in 2025.
900. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the reviews of both the scheme to support national organisations and the C (community) and V (voluntary) pillar funding schemes; when the reviews will be completed and finished; the engagement he has had with the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13875/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs with other schemes of my Department, the Community and Voluntary Pillar (C&V Pillar) funding scheme is kept under continuous review. Notwithstanding this, over the last twelve months officials at my Department have engaged with members of the C&V pillar, both as a group and bilaterally, regarding the need to consider options for the future of the scheme. Department officials will continue to explore this matter further with C&V Pillar groups.
The Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector (SSNO) plays a significant role in Government’s support for our national community and voluntary organisations, through the provision of multi-annual funding towards their core costs.
The current scheme commenced in July 2022, initially for a 3 year term to conclude on 30 June this year. This has been extended by 6 months, to the end of 2025, to satisfy a request from SSNO recipient organisations to align the SSNO funding cycle with financial (January to December) accounting cycles, and also to allow for the completion of a review of the scheme by my Department.
My Department's review of the SSNO builds on a significant stakeholder engagement exercise undertaken by Pobal in 2023. I expect the review will be completed in the coming weeks and I will be examining its findings with a view to making any required changes in advance of the launch of a new scheme, to commence in January 2026.
901. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development for an update on the future of the dormant accounts fund; the plans in place to support those projects and programmes currently funded by the dormant accounts fund when the funding finishes; the discussions he has had on this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13876/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe main purpose of the Dormant Accounts Acts is to reunite account holders with their funds. Unclaimed funds are transferred to the Dormant Accounts Fund, which is managed by the National Treasury Management Agency. The beneficial owner has a right to reclaim their money at any time.
Legislation governing Dormant Accounts established an administrative framework within which Departments could apply for funding from the Dormant Accounts Fund. Since July 2017 the Minister for Rural and Community Development has held responsibility for this function. Under this administrative framework a 3 year high level Disbursement Scheme is put in place, which indicates broad areas for support. Annual Action Plans are developed each year which approve funding for specific measures or projects.
With regard to the current status of funding available for the Dormant Accounts Fund, at the end of 2024 there was €217 million in the Dormant Accounts Fund, with €126 million of that held in reserve for those reclaiming their funds. This leaves €91 million available for disbursement. This will be supplemented by inflows in April 2025, the level of which depends on the number of accounts becoming dormant. Ensuring a sustainable use of this funding is central to the work of my Department, and future levels of funding are dependant on the levels of inflow into the fund.
My Department published the 2025 Dormant Accounts Fund Action Plan in November 2024. It outlines measures and funding across 10 Departments, with total funding of €44.8 million to support 51 measures. The programmes and projects in the Action Plan target social, economic and educational disadvantage, and people with a disability - in line with the objectives detailed in the legislation. My Department operates an interdepartmental steering group so as to ensure funding is put to best use, pressures in terms of funding need are understood across Departments, and any particular challenges are considered when developing Action Plans.
Further information on the Dormant Accounts Fund, including all published Action Plans and Annual Reports, is available on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/769773-dormant-accounts-fund-annual-action-plans-and-reports/
902. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if funding will be made available to reintroduce the emergency hardship scheme in Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13962/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra903. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if further funding will be provided annually for the LIS schemes in Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13963/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra907. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when he will announce further funding for local authorities under the local improvement scheme; and if priority can be given to local authorities with significant waiting lists. [14115/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 902, 903 and 907 together.
The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports improving non-public rural roads and laneways not usually maintained by local authorities. Since its establishment in 2017, almost €170 million has been provided by the Government to local authorities for LIS.
In April 2024, €40 million in funding was announced for LIS across all local authorities to cover 2024/2025. My officials have recently opened the 2025Scheme and invited local authorities to submit their lists of priority roads for completion in 2025.
Since 2017, Kerry has been allocated a total of €10.35 million in LIS funding. This figure includes the 2024/2025 allocation of €2.57 million.
Since 2017, Sligo has been allocated a total of € 4.53 million in LIS funding, with Leitrim being allocated €5.22 million. These figures include the 2024/2025 allocations of €1.92 million to Sligo and €966,000 to Leitrim.
My Department does not have an ‘Emergency Hardship Scheme’ as referred to by the Deputy and this may relate to a particular local initiative delivered by Kerry County Council. In relation to LIS, individual local authorities are responsible for the management of waiting lists and for the selection of priority road projects to be completed within each county, each calendar year. In prioritising projects, local authorities have regard to factors such as the level of available funding and condition of roads. They can also take into account special circumstances such as hardship cases, or access for elderly or disabled occupants.
The Programme for Government commits to the provision of additional funding for the LIS. In terms of funding allocations to LIS, a review of the scheme is carried out by Department officials ahead of any new funding announcements in order to ensure funding is allocated across our local authorities as fairly and efficiently as possible. My Department officials also work closely with local authorities to ensure that funding is fully utilised. I have also liaised with my colleague Minister Darragh O'Brien in relation to the possibility of the Department of Transport providing co-funding for the scheme.
Finally, as has been the case in recent years, I will continue to monitor capital expenditure rates across my Department as the year progresses with a view to utilising any savings which may arise for schemes such as the LIS.
904. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide a list of policy initiatives, funding schemes and interventions intended to improve the economic and social development of rural and urban communities funded or administered by his Department. [13969/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra905. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide a list of projects funded by his Department in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council area. [13970/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 904 and 905 together.
Since its establishment, my Department has placed a strong emphasis on the development, publication and implementation of a range of strategic, stakeholder informed and evidence based policies. The development of a robust policy platform has focused the Department’s investment and drives progress in the areas of rural and community development.
The following policies are currently in place and being implemented:
• Our Rural Future.
• Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities.
• Ár nOileáin Bheo.
• Town Centre First.
• Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors.
• The National Hub Strategy (due 2025).
• Trading for Impact.
• The Library is the Place.
• The National Volunteering Strategy.
• The National Philanthropy Strategy.
My Department has developed a range of funding schemes and interventions, underpinned by these policies. Key programmes include:
• the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP).
• the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF).
• the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS).
• the Local Enhancement Programme.
• the Community Services Programme.
• the Community Centre Investment Fund.
• the Community Recognition Fund.
Programmes such as these are delivering real investment into communities all across the country.
Details of the thousands of individual funding allocations my Department has provided to communities, including those in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, and information on each scheme’s objectives is available on my Department’s website at www.gov.ie/en/collection/500c6-what-was-funded/.
906. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the percentage of social media video accessible, such as providing the information or activities posted on each of his Department’s social media accounts, or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under its remit, including closed captioning and subtitling and Irish Sign Language translations, between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024, inclusive. [14058/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor the period in question, 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024, 100% of videos posted on my Department’s social media accounts included closed captioning/subtitling with a view to making these more accessible. None of the videos included Irish sign language (ISL) translations.
There are four agencies under my Department’s remit: the Western Development Commission, POBAL, Water Safety Ireland, and the Charities Regulator. They are all independent legal entities responsible for managing their own corporate affairs in compliance with their statutory obligations.
The details of the Oireachtas contact point for each of the agencies, who would be in a position to provide the Deputy with the requested information in respect of their organisation, are set out in the table below:
|
Pobal |
oireachtasqueries@pobal.ie |
|
Charities Regulator |
oireachtas@charitiesregulator.ie |
|
Water Safety Ireland |
oireachtas@wsi.ie |
|
Western Development Commission |
oireachtas@wdc.ie |
908. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he is considering a review of the current successful funding schemes within his Department, such as the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme, town and village scheme, Clár, community centres investment fund development, and the rural regeneration and development fund, to review maximum spending categories and variation of the schemes to include feedback from communities and local authorities. [14116/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to reassure the Deputy that the schemes he refers to continue to be reviewed and revised in conjunction with stakeholders and in the context of the evolving needs of communities around the country.
My Department's capital schemes operate on the basis of periodic ‘Calls for Proposals’. In advance of each call, the terms and conditions attached to each scheme are reviewed. In this review, my officials consider experience emerging from previous ‘Calls for Proposals’ together with ongoing feedback from communities, elected representatives and stakeholders such as local authorities and local development companies.
This includes a consideration of the measures to be funded, scheme eligibility, funding levels etc. This process has seen the schemes evolve and the level of funding increase over the past number of years.
For example, I recently launched a ‘Call for Proposals’ under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme which saw the funding ceiling for mid-range projects increase from €250,000 to €300,000. In order to reflect the North West Region’s EU designation as a Region in Transition, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund has amended scheme conditionality to increase the funding available and allow applicants in that region receive up to 90% of project costs.
Under the current iteration of the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, the level of funding for smaller measure 1 projects was increased from €30,000 to €40,000. My officials are also in the process of reviewing the details of the CLÁR scheme for my consideration.
I can reassure the deputy that my Department will continue to review the approach to the delivery of these funding programmes, particularly as part of the consultation process this year for the successor to ‘Our Rural Future’, the Government’s rural development policy.
909. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development whether his Department will accept any applications from councils for new library projects for capital expenditure, other than what is already committed to projects; and to outline which projects have committed funding. [14167/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of library services including new library buildings is primarily a matter for Local Authorities in their capacity as library authorities under the Local Government Act 2001. Notwithstanding this, in April 2024, I announced the new Libraries Capital Programme for the period 2023-2027, which will invest €22.6m in 11 state-of-the-art infrastructure projects and a further €2.6m in 12 next generation mobile library vehicles. As a result, the Libraries Capital Programme 2023-2027 is now fully committed and there is no scope to accept any applications from councils for new library projects.
My Department is also investing significantly in the development of libraries, through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. In May 2024, Category 1 Rural Regeneration Development Funding of €164m was announced, to support 30 regeneration projects in our rural towns and villages. This funding included approval of over €28m for the provision of three new library facilities in Ballyhaunis, Kingscourt and Edenderry. An amount of €100.8m of Rural Regeneration Development Funding has been approved, to date, for the development and delivery of projects that include library facilities across rural Ireland.
A list of projects that have been approved funding under the Libraries Capital Programme is set out at the link below and is available at this webpage: www.gov.ie/en/collection/d9b5a-libraries-development-funding/
A list of projects that have been approved funding under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund is available at this webpage: www.gov.ie/en/publication/7be140-test/
910. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount spent on projects under the rural regeneration and development fund within County Wexford, in 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14184/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) is a strategic capital investment fund that is key to the delivery of Ireland's rural development policy, Our Rural Future 2021-2025. RRDF provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns, villages and rural areas across Ireland.
Funding is allocated to local authorities and other State-funded bodies, who take the lead role in individual projects and manage project spend. As a general rule, the RRDF will provide up to 80% of the total project costs, with at least 20% to be provided in matching contributions by the applicants.
In 2024, two projects in Co. Wexford received Approval in Principle for RRDF funding worth over €2.3 million under the fifth Call for Category 1 proposals. These projects are set out in Table 1, immediately below.
Table 1:
|
Project |
Location |
RRDF Funding Allocated |
|
New Ross Pedestrianisation of Quay Street, part of the town's Historic Quarter |
New Ross |
c.€865,000 |
|
Dunbrody Visitor Centre Tourism Facilities |
Dunbrody |
c.€1,467,000 |
Funding from the RRDF is made to Project Leads over the approved lifetime of the project. This is on the basis of actual expenditure incurred, and claimed thereafter by the Lead Party through the Department of Rural and Community Development.
In 2024 and to date in 2025, my department has provided RRDF funding totalling c. €543,000 to 3 projects in Co. Wexford for such vouched expenditure, which is set out in Table 2.
Table 2:
|
Project |
Location |
RRDF Funding Provided |
|
Market House, Gorey |
Gorey |
c. €416,000 |
|
Irish National Heritage Park and Hook Lighthouse |
Ferrycarraig, the Hook Peninsula |
c. €73,000 |
|
New Ross Regeneration Phase 2 |
New Ross |
c.€54,000 |
911. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the up-to-date position on an application (details supplied) under the community recognition fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14213/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Community Recognition Fund was first introduced in 2023 to recognise the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland. Through the 2023 allocation, funding of €50 million was approved for some 900 projects in cities, towns and villages nationwide. To further support communities, a further €50 million in funding under the Community Recognition Fund was announced on March 15th 2024.
Under this new round of funding, Cork County Council have been awarded funding of €2,014,691, which brings the total funding provided to Cork County Council under the Community Recognition Fund to over €4.3 million.
I can confirm that an application from the organisation referred to by the Deputy has been submitted by Cork County Council for assessment under the third and final window for applications under the 2024 fund. The assessment process under this application window has now commenced and I look forward to announcing the successful projects in the coming months.
912. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the specific measures being explored to enhance access to finance, innovation supports, and market diversification for SMEs in light of global economic uncertainty (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14223/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra913. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development ; his plans to scale up enterprise hubs, digital infrastructure, and rural SME supports to ensure local businesses can grow and create sustainable employment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14224/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra914. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his views on the vital role SMEs play in local economies; if the Government is committed to accelerating these supports; if so, the timeline envisaged for implementation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14225/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 912 to 914, inclusive, together.
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play a vital role in the Irish economy, and the supports provided by Government recognise their importance. Such enterprises operate across every sector, often supporting larger enterprises in their activities. SMEs are also particularly important for rural areas, with many such companies providing employment that is central to the economic wellbeing of their towns and villages. Government has repeatedly responded to economic challenges faced by SMEs in a proactive way, which has helped support this sector navigate many challenges in recent years.
As the Deputy is aware, the main supports for SMEs, including around access to finance, innovation supports, and market diversification, are a matter for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. That Department provides comprehensive information on those supports on their website at: enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/supports-for-smes/
My own Department offers a number of supports to SMEs in rural areas.
One of the three themes for the current LEADER programme is economic development and job creation – and over the last number of years, the investment in the rural economy and rural enterprises has seen thousands of rural jobs created or sustained through the programme. The LEADER programme will continue to be a vital support for rural areas in the coming years.
Social Enterprises are an important sub-set of the SME sector, with 4,300 such enterprises employing around 85,000 people throughout the country. My Department is responsible for the National Social Enterprise Policy and, as part of that, have funding schemes to support social enterprise capacity building and has established a hybrid social lending scheme which provides a blend of re-payable loans, grants and capacity building to social enterprises. The third round of this scheme, which is operated through Rethink Ireland, is currently open for applications.
My Department has also driven strong investment in digital infrastructure, remote working hubs and enterprise hubs, all of which help the SME sector and its employees. This includes the provision of 300 Broadband Connection Points, support for the Connected Hubs platform with 369 remote working facilities now registered, and schemes such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund providing opportunities to develop enterprise hubs and other such infrastructure in rural areas.
While, as noted, the main supports for SME’s are provided through the DETE, the supports from my Department, outlined above have helped to build more resilient rural economies and communities, and will continue to help rural communities as they face into new challenges and uncertainties.
