Written Answers Nos. 34-51
34. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when work commenced on the development of an Island Plan or Policy; when it is now hoped to publish it; the reason for the delay in doing this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9176/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Government is committed to publishing an islands policy, as per the Programme for Government commitment and the commitments made in Our Rural Future.
The Cabinet agreed in July 2019 that a new Inter-Departmental Committee for islands be established to develop a national policy for the inhabited offshore islands. The committee was formed from 12 participating Departments.
The public consultation process commenced in early 2020, but due to the risks posed by the emergence of Covid-19, the Department was obliged to temporarily suspend the consultation process in April 2020. The process resumed in January 2021 and significant progress has been made since then.
I received a draft of the policy before Christmas. While it’s clear that a lot a work has been done in getting the draft policy to this stage, I believe there’s more work needed to firm up the text and, more importantly, the actions. As Minister with responsibility for the islands, I am determined to ensure the policy is delivered. Our island communities been waiting a long time for this policy and I’m not going to settle for more of the same from State bodies if that doesn’t deliver anything better for the islands. I want to see them committing to meaningful actions in this plan.
On that basis, I’ve gone back to my officials and asked them to re-engage with colleagues across Government Departments and agencies to revisit the document and make sure that this Islands Policy is accompanied by a robust Action Plan.I’m determined that this policy will be finalised as soon as possible, so that I can bring it to Government for approval and get it published. But I won’t do that until I’m satisfied that it contains credible actions that will make a difference to our island communities.
35. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the measures her Department is taking to address poverty and social exclusion across Ireland. [9253/23]
View answerMy Department's mission is to promote rural and community development and to support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland.
My Department's Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), is our country’s primary social inclusion programme. SICAP seeks to tackle poverty and social exclusion at a local level through local engagement and partnerships between disadvantaged individuals, community organisations and public sector agencies.
I was delighted to secure an increase of €1.3 million for SICAP under Budget 2023, increasing the annual funding from €43 million to €44.3 million. And additionally, €10 million is being provided under SICAP from Budget 2023 to allow Local Development Companies to continue to support arrivals from the Ukraine.
My Department also funds a range of other programmes that target those most in need including the Empowering Communities Programme, the Community Development Pilot Programme and the Place-Based Leadership Programme, all of which seek to address the toughest challenges experienced in disadvantaged areas.
My Department's Community Services Programme (CSP) supports community businesses to provide local services and create employment opportunities for disadvantaged people. Further to a review of the programme, CSP organisations that are operating in areas of high disadvantage employing individuals from prescribed programme target groups now benefit from a higher funding rate category.
36. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 321 of 14 December 2022, the status of the 2023 community centres investment fund which will be targeted for new build community centres; the details of the funding that will be allocated to new build community centres under the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9086/23]
View answerThe Government is aware of the challenges facing community and voluntary organisations and I was delighted to secure €21 million in funding under Budget 2023 to continue the Community Centres Investment Fund.
This builds on the €15 million which was announced under the fund in 2022. The huge interest in this fund shows how important community centres are for communities throughout Ireland. This Government is committed to providing funding for these centres which will allow them to provide services for communities to come together.
The 2023 fund will focus on new build community centres. The details of this scheme are currently being developed by officials within my Department and I hope to announce further details in March.
37. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the purchasing of vacant and derelict properties for future development as community assets by Cork City Council and Cork County Council under the building acquisition measure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9256/23]
View answerThe Town and Village Renewal Scheme was introduced in 2016 and is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages across Ireland in line with the objectives contained in Our Rural Future, Ireland's Rural Development Policy, and the Town Centre First policy. The 2022 Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) prioritised projects that bring vacant and derelict buildings back into use and promote residential occupancy in town centres.
In recognition of the urgent need to transform and regenerate town centres I introduced a new Building Acquisition Measure (BAM) under the 2022 Scheme to support local authorities to immediately acquire derelict or vacant buildings, with the intention of using these projects for town regeneration purposes in line with the aims of TVRS.
Cork County Council were approved funding under this measure to purchase the FCA Hall on the grounds of old Military barracks in Mitchelstown, Co Cork. Cork County Council propose to redevelop this building for use as a multi-purpose venue for sports activities and organisations: hub for men's shed, indoor training for boxing club, cycling, girl guides, walking amenity / outdoor gym, etc.
Properties purchased under the Building Acquisition Measure must form the basis of an application under a future TVRS call or be developed for town regeneration purposes via the local authorities' own resources or another funding stream by the end of 2024.
Cork City Council applied for funding for purchase of a building in Carrigaline under this measure. The TVRS scheme primarily provides funding for towns and villages with populations up to 10,000 people. As the population of Carrigaline is in excess of 15,000 people, the application was deemed ineligible under this measure.
38. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she has met with the Working Group established to review the Control of Dogs Act 1986; if a timeframe for the completion of the review has been established; her views on the composition of the group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8797/23]
View answerI met with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, T.D., on the 9th of January to discuss how our departments would address shared concerns regarding dog control and ownership. We instructed our officials to convene a working group on control of dogs issues and examine the various issues and consider all relevant legislative and enforcement issues in relation to dogs.
This group comprises officials from my own Department (DRCD), the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine or DAFM, and representatives of the County and City Managers Association (CCMA), including representatives of local authority dog wardens and local authority veterinary inspectors, and representatives of An Garda Síochána. This group meets weekly and is chaired by a Senior Superintending Veterinary Inspector from DAFM. The terms of reference for the group, along with the minutes of the meetings are available at this link (gov.ie - Working Group on Control of Dogs (www.gov.ie).
I expect the group to report with recommendations in the coming weeks.
39. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the role her Department is taking in the Town Centres First policy initiative. [9263/23]
View answerThe Town Centre First Policy is a major cross-government policy that aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres. It supports the Our Rural Future vision for a thriving rural Ireland which is integral to our national economic, social, cultural and environmental wellbeing and development.
My Department co-chairs the National Oversight and Advisory Group for Policy with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This Group will oversee delivery of the policy and ensure there is clear stakeholder visibility in relation to implementation. The Group met for the first time in December and is due to meet again shortly.
The establishment of the National Implementation Office is a key to the success of the policy, and this structure is now in place. The Office supports Town Regeneration Officers in driving implementation at a local level and coordinates stakeholder engagement.
As well as providing policy leadership, my Department is supporting the development of Town Centre First Plans under the policy. I approved funding of €2.6m in December 2021 for an initial phase of 26 towns across the country. These initial plans are due for completion in June this year and I expect to announce a further call for towns to develop their Town Centre First Plan later this year.
Central to the Town Centre First approach is the range of support funding in place, including this Department’s Town and Village Renewal Scheme. Last December, I announced €27 million in funding to combat dereliction and breathe new life into rural towns and villages under the 2022 Scheme.
In addition, last November I announced funding of €115m for regeneration projects across rural towns under this Department's Rural Regeneration and Development Fund for 2023. These projects focus on combating vacancy and dereliction by regenerating iconic town centre buildings such as old hotels, banks, schools, and courthouses and are thus central to the Town Centre First approach.
My Department remains committed to the success of the Town Centre First policy to deliver on the goal of revitalising rural towns and villages as set out in Our Rural Future.
40. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the rural regeneration and development fund to date; if she will provide an update on the list of all projects which are scheduled for completion in Cork in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9255/23]
View answerThe Rural Regeneration and Development Fund provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns and villages and rural areas across Ireland. The fund supports the objectives of Our Rural Future, the framework for the development of rural Ireland over the next five years. To date, 215 projects have been approved for funding of €395 million for projects costing €542 million.
Calls for applications to the Fund are sought under two categories – Category 1 and Category 2. Category 1 relates to large scale ambitious capital projects with all necessary planning and other consents in place, and which are ready to proceed. Category 2 provides smaller grant funding to enable the development of project proposals suitable for future calls for Category 1 applications.
In relation to projects based in Cork, to date the Fund has provided over €34.6 million for 21 projects located in Cork worth a total of €59.7 million.
Based on the information in the most recent progress report submitted to my Department by the lead parties the following projects located in Cork are due to be completed in 2023.
|
Project Title |
Category |
Lead Body |
Project Description |
Total Project Cost |
RRDF Funding |
|
Ballydesmond |
2 |
Cork County Council |
This project will develop a plan to improve service infrastructure, foster Health and community wellness, assist economic development and contribute to economic viability in the village. |
€75,000 |
€56,250 |
|
Anne's Grove |
2 |
Office of Public Works |
This project will see the development of a plan for the House and Gardens and to progress the plan to planning permission and statutory consents stage. |
€500,000 |
€375,000 |
|
Coláiste Íosagáin Campus |
2 |
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
This project will complete an overall Coláiste Íosagáin Campus master plan which will set out the economic, planning and environmental case for the re-purposing of the building structure and the surrounding area. |
€268,000 |
€180,000 |
|
Briery Gap Theatre and Library |
1 |
Cork County Council |
The project will restore and upgrade the Briery Gap Theatre and Library in the centre of Macroom. |
€7,943,976 |
€2,000,000 |
|
Regeneration of Youghal Town Centre and the Development of a future vision for the disused former Courthouse |
2 |
Cork County Council |
This proposal is for the regeneration of the Youghal town centre through public realm renewal and the redevelopment of a disused former Courthouse as a visitor experience. |
€375,000 |
€281,250 |
|
Development of a Georgian Cultural/Heritage Quarter for Mitchelstown |
2 |
Cork County Council |
This proposal will repurpose a key vacant landmark building to facilitate the overall branding and place making of a Georgian Cultural/Heritage Quarter in Mitchelstown. |
€360,000 |
€270,000 |
|
Ballydesmond Village Public Realm and Placemaking Enhancement Plan |
1 |
Cork County Council |
This project is on delivering key village centre improvements, including enhanced streetscapes, walkways and park areas. |
€903,000 |
€812,700 |
|
Fermoy Town Centre Renewal Project |
2 |
Cork County Council |
This project will develop plans for the reuse of vacant town centre buildings which will address the social, economic, cultural and physical needs of the town, the development of an exemplar Craft Makers Hub, the provision of enhanced recreational facilities and place making and public realm enhancements. |
€1,925,000 |
€1,540,000 |
|
Development for Macroom |
2 |
Cork County Council |
This project includes public realm interventions that will enhance footfall and improve accessibility and the development of a future vision for a prominent derelict heritage property in the town. |
€494,000 |
€395,000 |
|
The Beara Breifne Way |
2 |
Fáilte Ireland |
This proposal aims to enhance the trail quality and visitor experience to make a positive economic and social contribution to local communities |
€400,000 |
€300,000 |
41. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 401 of 19 January 2023, the status of the examination of the draft Islands policy by her Department; when she expects to bring the approved policy before Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9082/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Government is committed to publishing an islands policy, as per the Programme for Government commitment and the commitments made in Our Rural Future.
I received a draft of the policy before Christmas. While it’s clear that a lot a work has been done in getting the draft policy to this stage, I believe there’s more work needed to firm up the text and, more importantly, the actions.
I’ve committed to publishing an action plan along with the policy, as I did with the rural development policy, Our Rural Future. We can see the difference that is making across the country, transforming our rural communities, town and villages, whether it’s in Galway or Monaghan or Cork, and I want to make sure that we do the same thing for our islands.
As Minister with responsibility for the islands, I am determined to ensure the policy is delivered. Our island communities have been waiting a long time for this policy and I’m not going to settle for more of the same from State bodies if that doesn’t deliver anything better for the islands. I want to see them committing to meaningful actions in this plan.
On that basis, I’ve gone back to my officials and asked them to re-engage with colleagues across Government Departments and agencies to revisit the document and make sure that this Islands Policy is accompanied by a robust Action Plan.
I’m determined that this policy will be finalised as soon as possible, so that I can bring it to Government for approval and get it published. But I won’t do that until I’m satisfied that it contains credible actions that will make a difference to our island communities.
42. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 319 of 14 December 2022, if she will provide an update on the development of the pier on Inis Oírr; the status of the CPO process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9085/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, Galway County Council is the responsible authority for the maintenance and development of pier infrastructure on the Aran Islands. A steering committee consisting of representatives from my Department, Galway County Council and the Consulting Engineers meets regularly to monitor progress on the work being undertaken.
With regards to Inis Oírr, Galway County Council published the Compulsory Purchase Order for the land required for construction of the pier in December 2022 and submitted it to An Bord Pleanála. The last date for submissions in relation to this CPO was 13th February 2023.
As the most recent meeting of the steering committee, held earlier this week, Galway County Council advised my Department that no submissions had been received in the specified time period up to last week.
The decision of An Bord Pleanála in respect of the CPO would be expected by mid-April based on normal processing timelines, but this is subject to extension. In the absence of any objections, it is hoped that approval will be given to the confirmation of the CPO.
In the meantime, Galway County Council is currently finalising the documents for the construction tender with a view to their being ready for publication as soon as possible once the CPO is confirmed.
43. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to provide grants to community centres in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9239/23]
View answerThe Government is aware of the challenges facing community and voluntary organisations and I was delighted to secure €21 million in funding under Budget 2023 to continue the Community Centres Investment Fund.
This builds on the €15 million which was announced under the fund in 2022. The huge interest in this fund shows how important community centres are for communities throughout Ireland. This Government is committed to providing funding for these centres which will allow them to provide services for communities to come together.
The 2023 fund will focus on new build community centres. The details of this scheme are currently being developed by officials within my Department and I hope to announce further details in March.
Separately, community centres can apply to the Community Support Fund which provides supports to small groups who are struggling with energy/running costs and for small capital works. Groups should contact their Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) for details of this fund.
44. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the supports available to community groups facing rising running costs due to inflation and energy price increases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9021/23]
View answerThe Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme (CVESS), administered by Pobal on behalf of my Department, is providing once-off support to incorporated organisations and registered charities within the community and voluntary sector which fall outside the parameters of other energy support schemes being delivered by Government.
While Phase One of the CVESS closed on 2nd December, I can confirm that my department has streamlined the application process further. Phase two is now open and will remain open until 24th February 2023. Further details are available on Pobal’s website.
I am pleased to have announced the first two tranches of successful applicants under Phase One, awarding over €516k to 418 organisations across the country. Payments have been issued directly into successful applicants' bank accounts, and a full list of recipients is available on Gov.ie. Further announcements of successful applicants will follow.
I can confirm that my Department has worked with the Department of Health to ensure that C&V organisations that are partly funded by the HSE under Section 39 will receive the same levels of support towards energy costs as non-Section 39 organisations. Any relevant Section 39 organisation will be able to seek additional funding from the CVESS to meet any shortfall in the top-up funding they receive from the HSE or Department of Health, up to the level that is approved for other community and voluntary organisations, under the CVESS. An extension of the closing date for the CVESS to allow for such applications, as well as any other eligible applications, will be announced in the coming days.
The Community Support Fund, with funding of €10 million was also launched on 18th November last. This is a new fund, under the Community Enhancement Programme, and is designed to assist community groups across the country, in light of the current rising energy costs.
The fund will deliver grants to help groups with rising energy and operational costs such as electricity bills and insurance costs. Groups can also use the funding to carry out small upgrade or refurbishment works and for the purchase of equipment which supports their activities such as laptops and printers, training equipment, tables, chairs etc.
The Community Support Fund is being administered locally by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) on behalf of my Department, with support from their Local Authority. Groups should contact their local LCDC for further details on the application process.
My Department will continue to work with relevant stakeholders, including the community and voluntary sector, charities, local authorities and local development companies, to support community organisations across the country as they deal with the ongoing and emerging challenges. These Schemes are part of a range of supports introduced through Budget ’23 and everyone is encouraged to visit gov.ie/reduceyouruse to find out how they can make energy savings, where safe and possible to do so.
45. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if remote working hubs could be provided in rural areas. [9254/23]
View answerOur Rural Future, Ireland’s Rural Development Policy was launched in early 2021. The policy recognises the opportunity for rural rejuvenation that remote working presents and commits to establishing a comprehensive and integrated national network of 400 remote working hubs by 2025.
In furtherance of this commitment, my Department’s focus to date has been on strategically developing the National Hub Network and its shared online booking platform connectedhubs.ie, adding capacity to Ireland's existing remote working infrastructure, and supporting the establishment of new hubs.
There are currently 310 enterprise and co-working facilities across the country on-boarded to the connectedhubs.ie platform. This number is growing all the time, meaning we are well on track to meet our target of 400 remote working hubs nationwide by 2025. The attached table provides a breakdown of the 310 hubs by county (includes hubs that have been mapped and identified to potentially join the National Hub Network).
Significant funding has been invested by my department towards the establishment and development of enterprise and co-working hubs through programmes such as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. Successful projects are developed in collaboration with local authorities and communities, with many projects seeing vacant and derelict buildings in rural towns and villages converted into digital hubs.
The Deputy will appreciate that following the launch of Our Rural Future, the immediate priority was on establishing the National Hub Network, putting the necessary infrastructure in place and achieving this initial critical mass.
Following strong progress on the establishment phase of the project, my focus has now shifted to the next stage of development.
In June, I launched the Connected Hubs Voucher Scheme, designed to encourage those who had never used a hub to do so. The Scheme also supported those that were considering spending more time each week using a hub, rather than working from home. This scheme concluded in early 2023.
My officials have also for some time been consulting with hub managers across the country, with local authorities and communities, and with other stakeholders, including colleagues from the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment, to better inform the future strategic direction of the National Hub Network and the connectedhubs.ie platform.
I am committed to ensuring that the National Hub Network will continue to make a central contribution to the achievement of the Government's vision for rural Ireland, as set out in Our Rural Future.
TABLE 1 – Connectedhubs.ie - Remote Working Hubs by County (as of the 20th of February 2023)
|
Live on the connectedhubs.ie platform |
Mapped to be invited to join the connectedhubs.ie platform |
Total |
|
|
Carlow |
5 |
8 |
13 |
|
Cavan |
8 |
7 |
14 |
|
Clare |
13 |
10 |
23 |
|
Cork |
30 |
16 |
46 |
|
Donegal |
18 |
17 |
34 |
|
Dublin |
46 |
35 |
81 |
|
Galway |
26 |
29 |
55 |
|
Kerry |
19 |
9 |
28 |
|
Kildare |
8 |
6 |
14 |
|
Kilkenny |
3 |
7 |
10 |
|
Laois |
4 |
7 |
11 |
|
Leitrim |
9 |
17 |
26 |
|
Limerick |
13 |
13 |
26 |
|
Longford |
4 |
6 |
10 |
|
Louth |
8 |
9 |
17 |
|
Mayo |
22 |
18 |
40 |
|
Meath |
6 |
17 |
23 |
|
Monaghan |
7 |
09 |
17 |
|
Offaly |
6 |
11 |
17 |
|
Roscommon |
8 |
14 |
22 |
|
Sligo |
6 |
8 |
14 |
|
Tipperary |
11 |
22 |
33 |
|
Waterford |
8 |
10 |
18 |
|
Westmeath |
4 |
9 |
13 |
|
Wexford |
10 |
7 |
17 |
|
Wicklow |
8 |
3 |
11 |
|
Total |
310 |
325 |
633 |
46. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the islands strategy; when the strategy will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8587/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Government is committed to publishing an islands policy, as per the Programme for Government commitment and the commitments made in Our Rural Future.
I received a draft of the policy before Christmas. While it’s clear that a lot a work has been done in getting the draft policy to this stage, I believe there’s more work needed to firm up the text and, more importantly, the actions.
I’ve committed to publishing an action plan along with the policy, as I did with the rural development policy, Our Rural Future. We can see the difference that is making across the country, transforming our rural communities, town and villages, whether it’s in Galway or Monaghan or Cork, and I want to make sure that we do the same thing for our islands.
As Minister with responsibility for the islands, I am determined to ensure the policy is delivered. Our island communities been waiting a long time for this policy and I’m not going to settle for more of the same from State bodies if that doesn’t deliver anything better for the islands. I want to see them committing to meaningful actions in this plan.
On that basis, I’ve gone back to my officials and asked them to re-engage with colleagues across Government Departments and agencies to revisit the document and make sure that this Islands Policy is accompanied by a robust Action Plan.
I’m determined that this policy will be finalised as soon as possible, so that I can bring it to Government for approval and get it published. But I won’t do that until I’m satisfied that it contains credible actions that will make a difference to our island communities.
48. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the building acquisition measure for a property (details supplied) in Mitchelstown. [9272/23]
View answerThe Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) was introduced in 2016 and is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland in line with Ireland's rural development policy Our Rural Future and in support of the objectives of the Town Centre First Policy.
The 2022 TVRS prioritised projects that bring vacant and derelict buildings back into use and promote residential occupancy in town centres. In recognition of the urgent need to transform and regenerate town centres I introduced a new Building Acquisition Measure under the 2022 Scheme to support local authorities to immediately acquire derelict or vacant buildings, with the intention of using these projects for town regeneration purposes in line with the aims of TVRS.
Properties purchased under the Building Acquisition Measure must form the basis of an application under a future TVRS call or be developed for town regeneration purposes via the local authorities' own resources or another funding stream by the end of 2024.
Cork County Council were approved funding under this measure to purchase the FCA Hall on the grounds of old Military barracks in Mitchelstown, Co Cork. The application detailed that the proposed usage of the building is to redevelop it for use as a multi-purpose venue for sports activities and organisations: hub for men's shed, indoor training for boxing club, cycling, girl guides, walking amenity / outdoor gym, etc. All funding in relation to this project was drawn down by the end of 2022, in line with the requirements of the Building Acquisition Measure.
49. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will expand the dog warden service in Cork city and county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8796/23]
View answerThe 2021 dog control statistics, published by my Department on gov.ie, show that there are three full time dog wardens in Cork City, and there are five full time and four part time dog wardens in County Cork.
Section 15(1) of the Control of Dogs Act 1986 states that every local authority must employ at least one dog warden. It is a matter for each local authority to determine if more than one dog warden is required to carry out the necessary functions of the dog warden service in their local authority area.
Recently, a working group chaired by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine was established to examine the various issues and consider all relevant legislative and enforcement issues in relation to dogs. This will bring all the key players together to consider what action can be taken to keep both people and animals safe. I expect the group to report with recommendations in the coming weeks.
50. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her views on the very short application window for the community recognition fund 2023, launched on 14 February, with a closing date for submission of expressions of interest of 24 February 2023; how such a short timeframe is considered acceptable for applications to a fund offering a minimum of €25,000; her further views on whether such a short timeframe could be considered exclusionary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9276/23]
View answerOn the 24th January 2023 I launched the Community Recognition Fund which aims to support the development of community infrastructure and facilities in recognition of the contribution being made by communities across the country in welcoming and hosting significant numbers of arrivals from Ukraine and other countries.
The funding is specifically targeted at projects that are located in communities, towns and villages that are hosting the beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and/or International Protection applicants. The Fund aims to support the development of facilities that will be used in the future by all members of the community. It is separate in its objectives and scope to any other public funding streams which aim to support the development of public service needs arising from the significant number of arrivals from Ukraine.
The Fund is being administered at a local level by local authorities who are developing funding proposals. Each funding proposal is developed based on direct engagement with impacted communities and in consultation with the municipal districts, Local Community Development Committees and the local Community Response Fora. The proposals must also demonstrate that the funding is targeted at and specifically invested in those communities, villages and towns where the highest level of new arrivals are located and where there is a clear need for investment identified.
I understand that some local authorities are allocating an element of the Fund through an open call for expressions of interest in the impacted areas, as well as allocating other elements of the Fund by engaging directly with communities.
The funding proposals are to be submitted to my Department by mid-March. This allows seven weeks for local authorities to engage directly with the impacted communities to develop quality proposals. My Department has made it clear to all local authorities that proposals which do not display adequate levels of community engagement and appropriate targeting of support will not be approved.
51. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the date of the last meeting of the mobile phone and broadband task force; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2038/23]
View answerThe Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce was re-established in December 2021 with an inaugural meeting co-chaired by myself and Minister of State Ossian Smyth TD, involving participation from all key State stakeholders. In April 2022, we held a full meeting of the Taskforce with both State and Industry representatives. After this meeting the Terms of Reference and Work Programme for 2022-2023 were agreed and published on www.gov.ie.
A further meeting of the Taskforce took place on November 16th 2022. The purpose of the meeting was for action holders to provide a progress update on the status of each of their actions.
The actions in the Work Programme relate to improving mobile phone coverage in rural areas, examining issues around planning permissions and licensing for, and sharing of, telecoms infrastructure, the use of public assets for telecoms purposes, and improving the quality and availability of information for consumers of telecoms services and products.
On February 15th 2023 the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce Annual Stakeholder Forum was held.
The focus of the Stakeholder Forum was on the human impact of the work of the Taskforce. The panel discussions focused on the impact of connectivity on balanced regional development and on innovation. The Forum was very informative and I look forward to holding similar events in future.
This iteration of the Taskforce will meet biannually and will meet again in Quarter 2 of 2023. Following on from the next meeting an Annual Report will be published and the Work Programme will be updated to reflect the progress made to date and to reflect any new challenges that have emerged.
I am pleased with the progress to date and with the willingness of all stakeholders to engage with the Taskforce, and I look forward to the continuing work of this important forum.
