Written Answers Nos. 901-913
901. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total cost of engagement with a company (details supplied) in each of the years 2020 to 2025, across his Department, by project, year and value; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51768/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that my department has had no engagement with this company in the years 2020-2025
902. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total cost of engagement with a company (details supplied) in each of the years 2020 to 2025, across his Department, by project, year and value; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51786/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that my department has had no engagement with this company in the years 2020-2025
903. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total cost of engagement with a company (details supplied) in each of the years 2020 to 2025, across his Department, by project, year and value; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51804/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe attached table outlines the total cost of engagement (ex vat) across my department, in respect of the company for which information was sought, in each of the years 2020 to 2025.
|
Year |
Project |
Cost (Ex VAT) |
|
2021 |
Consulting and IT services for Education Shared Business Services and Higher Education Payroll Shared Services |
€15,300.00 |
|
2022 |
Consulting and IT services for Education Shared Business Services and Higher Education Payroll Shared Services |
€617,225.00 |
|
2023 |
Consulting and IT services for Education Shared Business Services and Higher Education Payroll Shared Services |
€451,246.95 |
|
2024 |
Consulting and IT services for Education Shared Business Services and Higher Education Payroll Shared Services |
€408,863.40 |
|
2025 |
Consulting and IT services for Education Shared Business Services and Higher Education Payroll Shared Services |
€323,550.00 |
|
|
|
€1,816,185.35 |
904. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the main policy achievements of his Department since 22 January 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50808/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 22 January 2025, my Department has delivered significant policy and programme achievements across rural development, community development, and the Gaeltacht and the Islands.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to publish a successor to the Our Rural Future policy. After an extensive consultation processes, and a review of the previous policy by the OECD, work on a successor policy is nearing completion. The successor will be a whole of Government policy, led by my Department. I look forward to bringing this to Government in due course.
Work is also ongoing on a successor strategy for the community and voluntary sector, again with extensive consultation taking place. My Department is also currently developing a new National Volunteering Strategy, which will also fulfil a commitment in the Programme for Government. The second strategy will build on the progress already made – ensuring that support for and recognition of the value of volunteering is sustainable into the future.
With regard to the Gaeltacht area, Government approved the Action Plan for Irish Language Public Services 2026-2028 earlier this year, and the Údarás na Gaeltachta (Amendment) Bill was, just this week, signed into law.
In addition, implementation is ongoing across other policies, including:
• Town Centre First Policy (2022)
• Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors (2023 – 2027)
• Ár nOileáin Bheo (2023 – 2033)
• Trading for Impact (2024 – 2027)
• The Library is the Place (2023 – 2027)
• The National Philanthropy Policy (2024 – 2028)
• The 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language (2010 – 2030) and associated five-Year Action Plan
• The Digital Plan for the Irish Language (2023 – 2027)
• The Strategy for Irish Language Based Arts (2024-2027)
• The National Plan for Irish Language Public Services (2024 – 2030)
This framework of policies has seen the delivery of significant funding to rural, urban and Gaeltacht communities in 2025 and to date in 2026. Some important examples of this funding over the period include;
• €159 million was secured in Budget 2026 for the Gaeltacht, Irish Language and Islands Programme, an increase of over €36 million;
• Over €74.5 million was secured in Budget 2026 to support the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme and similar supports.
• An investment of €35.7 million was announced under the NDP for the development of Inis Oírr pier;
• Increased funding for both Gaeltacht Support Schemes and Irish Language Support Schemes;
• €26 million was approved for over 100 projects under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme;
• €25 million to support 284 outdoor recreation projects – the largest approval to date under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme;
• €26 million has been announced to support improvements to 369 community centres under the Community Centre Investment Fund;
• €32.5 million under the Community Recognition Fund supporting communities welcoming new arrivals and bringing total approvals under the CRF to €100 million.
• €20.5 million under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund for 30 projects nationwide;
• €17.5 million was announced for Local Authorities to upgrade rural roads and laneways under the Local Improvement Scheme,
• Increase of €4 million for the Community Services Programme, with its annual allocation increasing from €55.4 million to €59.4 million. A new Open Call for Applications to join the Programme was announced on 30th March; and
• €27.8 million just announced under the Scheme to Support National Organisations 2026-2029.
The above demonstrates that my Department is making strong progress on our commitments within the Programme for Government, across both policy and programmes objectives.
905. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the funding available and the supports provided by his Department to ensure that rural villages and communities retain their social hubs such as shops and pubs; if any supports are available for rural villages and communities who have lost their shop and pubs to have those social hubs restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50915/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has a very clear mandate to support rural communities and villages, ensuring vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities across Ireland. This is achieved through the implementation of programmes designed to target rural isolation, promote social inclusion and develop rural infrastructure. Such programmes include the Local Enhancement Programme (LEP), the Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF), the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) and LEADER.
The LEP is targeted towards supporting communities that are impacted by disadvantage, as identified in the Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP) of the relevant local authority. It provides small capital grants to community and voluntary groups for the improvement/refurbishment of their facilities and/or the purchase of equipment. In general, support under the LEP is available to, for example, Parish Halls, Community Centres, Local Development Associations, Social Clubs, Senior Citizen Groups, Men’s and Women’s Sheds, all of which have a role in address social isolation. The Department has recently announced the successful projects under LEP 2026 and is currently considering a Local Enhancement Programme for 2027.
Under the CCIF, significant support has been provided for the upgrade and refurbishment of community centres, including works relating to energy efficiency, accessibility, maintenance and essential improvements. There is no doubt that our significant investment in the Fund in recent years helps to ensure our rural areas have high-quality facilities that serve as social hubs for communities.
The TVRS) was introduced in 2016 and is designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. The Scheme is administered through local authorities, who work closely with local communities and businesses to develop proposals that will bring long-lasting, positive impacts to rural towns and villages.
The LEADER programme, which is co-funded by the EU, has been operating successfully in Ireland for 35 years now delivering tangible benefits to rural communities. LEADER has for many years supported rural enterprises and community-based projects. Examples of projects include social enterprises including community cafes, development of rural infrastructure including community halls, local club and sports facilitates, and support for private enterprises that do not involve conventional retail.
I would encourage all community and voluntary organisations to check my department's website at www.gov.ie/drcdg, and to engage with their Local Community Development Committees, Local Development Companies and Public Participation Networks (PPN), to ensure they are aware of all existing funding opportunities.
906. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht whether footpath construction and footpath improvement works are eligible for funding under the CLÁR programme; if he will provide details of changes made to eligibility criteria in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51165/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra907. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht whether consideration has been given to reintroducing support for footpath infrastructure under the CLÁR programme, particularly in rural villages and settlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51166/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra908. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the number of applications relating to pedestrian infrastructure or footpath projects submitted under CLÁR in each of the past five years in County Galway; the outcome of those applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51167/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 906, 907 and 908 together.
The CLÁR programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas. Last year over €14 million was approved for 238 projects under the programme, with funding being provided for community facilities and amenities, community vehicles and specific support for island communities.
The 2026 CLÁR programme was launched on March 10th with a record budget of €12 million.
The measures funded under CLÁR 2026 are:
Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities & Amenities
Measure 2: Mobility, Cancer Care, First Responder and Meals on Wheels Transport
Measure 3: Our Living Islands
Measure 1 is administered by local authorities. Prior to 2022, footpaths were funded under Measure 1 which was targeted at support for school/community safety measures. The focus in 2022 shifted to wider supports for community facilities and amenities and footpaths were classified as ineligible under the CLÁR programme. However, some projects to enhance safety and accessibility at community facilities may include some works on paths or parking to improve accessibility within the facility itself.
Each year in advance of the CLÁR programme launch, eligibility and applicable measures are reviewed. Following a commitment in the Programme for Government, an eligibility review of CLÁR areas has resulted in an additional 110 Electoral Divisions (ED’s) being added for 2026, bringing the total population covered by the CLÁR programme to over 1 million.
The maximum funding allowed for projects increased in 2025 to €65,000, with up to €100,000 available for two larger scale projects. There is now a greater focus on our Gaeltacht and Island regions and an expansion of the measure 2 eligibility to include vehicles for meals on wheels providers.
In 2026 I also introduced support for community focussed traffic safety measures and actions to remediate light pollution through restorative strategies to protect or restore dark skies. Further changes introduced for 2026 include a reduction in the term of the lease/licence requirement from 15 years to 7 years.
Since 2020, Galway local authority has submitted eight applications which included works to footpaths. Five of these were approved for funding. The project approved in 2025 included accessibility improvements the paths around a community centre and was not for footpaths around a town or village. Details are set out in the table below.
|
Year |
Applications received |
Decision |
|
2020 |
4 |
3 |
|
2021 |
3 |
1 |
|
2022 |
0 |
0 |
|
2023 |
0 |
0 |
|
2024 |
0 |
0 |
|
2025 |
1 |
1 |
|
Total |
8 |
5 |
The CLÁR programme and its measures will be reviewed in advance of the launch of the 2027 programme. I look forward to announcing the successful projects under the current programme before year-end.
909. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to provide the web link to his Department’s Q2 2026 published report of purchase orders/payments over €20,000, in line with the FOI model publication scheme requirements; to confirm the date on which this report was published; and, if it has not yet been published, the planned publication date. [51570/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department publishes a quarterly report on all payments over €20,000 at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development-and-the-gaeltacht/collections/drcd-payments-in-excess-of-20000/. The Q1 2026 report, along with previous reports, are available at this link. The Q2 2026 report is currently being compiled and it is intended to make the report available on my Department’s website in both PDF and Excel file formats by 31 July.
910. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the total cost of engagement with a company (details supplied) in each of the years 2020 to 2025, across his Department, by project, year and value; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51773/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere have been no costs for engagement with the company referenced by my Department over the time period 2020-2025.
911. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the total cost of engagement with a company (details supplied) in each of the years 2020 to 2025, across his Department, by project, year and value; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51791/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere have been no costs for engagement with the company referenced by my Department over the time period 2020-2025.
912. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the total cost of engagement with a company (details supplied) in each of the years 2020 to 2025, across his Department, by project, year and value; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51809/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe costs incurred by my Department for work undertaken by the company referenced, over the time period 2020-2025, are set out below. These costs are inclusive of VAT.
|
Details |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
Payments relating to IT system for LEADER programme |
€45,913 |
€25,874 |
€13,478 |
€1,778 |
nil |
nil |
913. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht his plans to increase funding allocated to local authorities for local improvement schemes, given their important role in maintaining and repairing our local and rural road network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52385/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Improvement Scheme, or LIS, provides for the upgrading of non-public rural roads and laneways that are typically not maintained by local authorities. It was reintroduced by my Department in 2017. Since then, funding of over €200 million has been allocated to local authorities, with over 5,500 roads improved under the scheme.
In February this year, I was pleased to launch the 2026 scheme and confirm base funding of €17.55 million which represents an increase on the initial funding made available in previous years.
Tipperary County Council has received a 2026 allocation of over €1.1 million which brings the total allocated to the county to since 2017 to over €10.3 million.
My officials have engaged with local authorities who have submitted their priority road lists for 2026 and have now received approval to undertake works. I have directed that scheme spending be monitored closely to ensure that funding is fully utilised and that as many road improvements as possible are completed under the scheme this year.
As in previous years, I will closely monitor departmental spending to identify any savings for potential redistribution to schemes like the Local Improvement Scheme.
