Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 September 2023
80. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she continues to assess the rural and community needs in both urban and rural settings with a view to addressing the obvious requirements at the present time; if she continues to liaise with people in such setting with a view to address their concerns on an ongoing basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41343/23]
View answerMy Department continues to liaise with stakeholders in communities around the country including the Local Authorities, Local Community Development Committees, Public Participation Networks and Local Development Companies to ensure that supports provided are timely and appropriate to the needs of those communities.
While the schemes administered by my Department have a consistent, ongoing focus, they are regularly adapted and supplemented in response to emerging needs identified through the aforementioned stakeholder engagement. Such examples are the Community Call Initiative, the COVID-19 Stability Scheme, the Accelerated Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme and the Community Recognition Fund.
In February of this year, my Department published the a new resource guide, A Guide for Inclusive Community Engagement in Local Planning and Decision Making. This guide is intended to ensure that members of marginalised communities have opportunities to participate in local planning and decision making.
My Department will continue to monitor issues that arise in communities and tailor our approach to the emerging issues.
