Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge at the outset the launch of a €40 million support package for community and voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises, which I wholeheartedly welcome. I also acknowledge this includes €35 million Covid-19 stability funding to qualifying organisations most in need which have seen their trading or fundraising income drop significantly during the crisis. I am aware applications for this funding closed on 21 May. How many applications were received and how much funding has been drawn down?

My concern is that like other Departments offering great schemes and initiatives, the uptake might be poor. Is that the case here? I highlighted last week that the approval rates for loans and supports under various Covid-19 support schemes appears to be very low. We need to assess why there are difficulties in local traders and SMEs accessing many of the necessary support schemes. For example, regarding Microfinance Ireland loans, the latest data available to Oireachtas Members indicates that only three businesses in Laois and four in Offaly have inquired about funding under this scheme. I would be worried there are barriers to funding.

On the Covid-19 business continuity voucher, 131 inquiries have come from Offaly but only 81 applications have been approved. In Laois, there were 63 inquiries with only 36 approvals. Is there a similar pattern here as elsewhere? I would like any problems to be rectified immediately so that it is easier for people to access the vital supports they need at this time.

Will the Minister put on record his view or the Department's view on the protests that took place over the weekend? I clearly state I condemn all racism and violence. I ask the question only in the context of the ongoing restrictions that remain actively in force in many parts of rural Ireland, in particular the restrictions around marts and small regional agricultural shows, which have been adversely affected and cancelled because of legitimate social distancing fears.

If a charity, community or voluntary organisation that was supported by Minister's Department were to hold such an event, where hundreds of people gathered, there would be condemnation on all sides and even the possibility of funding being withdrawn. This has been brought to my attention by many rural people who are very frustrated at what they are seeing and the double standards we are witnessing. Is there one rule for rural Ireland and another for urban Ireland? Is this fair?

As the Minister alluded to, there are many issues facing rural Ireland, from impending cuts to the Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, to accessing appropriate levels of LEADER funding, to ensuring a just transition occurs in the midlands, particularly in counties such as Offaly and Laois where the demise of Bord na Móna will result in the loss of up to 1,000 jobs by the end of this year. On that just transition, have the Minister or his Department engaged with the just transition commissioner in any capacity on the recommendations of his first internal report? If so, what role does the Minister envisage his Department playing in the roll-out of the just transition strategy?

See this speech in context