Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 February 2023
316. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she continues to interact with urban and rural communities, with a view to continuing to identify priorities in a timely manner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9439/23]
View answer321. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she and her Department continue to monitor the needs of rural and urban communities, with a view to ensuring an appropriate and timely response as issues arise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9444/23]
View answer322. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she and her Department have identified a rapid response mechanism in respect of issues that tend to impact on communities, urban and rural; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9445/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 316, 321 and 322 together.
My Department continues to liaise with stakeholders in communities around the county including the Local Authorities, Local Community Development Committees, Public Participation Networks and the 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 recently announced Community Recognition Fund.
My Department will continue to monitor issues that arise in communities and tailor our approach to the emerging issues.
