Results 14,721-14,740 of 15,157 for speaker:Dara Calleary

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Schemes (22 May 2025)

Dara Calleary: I thank the Deputy. As he is aware, CLÁR is a very important funding stream for remote rural areas. In recent years it has funded a vast array of community amenities such as community centres, sporting facilities, playgrounds, sensory gardens and walking trails. As we already discussed, it is also a growing source of funding for vehicles to transport people with disabilities and to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Schemes (22 May 2025)

Dara Calleary: I agree with the Deputy about that kind of funding. We will be looking at that from 2026 onwards. We have already funded sensory parks under CLÁR and we will continue to do that. We have also funded the upgrading and replacement of many facilities across the country, including in Mayo, to make equipment more suitable for children with disabilities and communities with disabilities....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Schemes (22 May 2025)

Dara Calleary: I would point out that, as the Deputy is aware, there is substantial current investment by my Department in Ballyhaunis through RRDF projects, the regeneration of a number of properties and the town centre management. I am very aware of the issues raised by the Deputy and I do not want any diminution of services in any part of the county. There is substantial investment under way in the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Regeneration Projects (22 May 2025)

Dara Calleary: It is great to see such cross-party co-operation across the two different constituencies. Launched in 2022, the 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. TCF supports the Our Rural Future vision for a thriving rural Ireland by setting out the scaffolding and framework to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Regeneration Projects (22 May 2025)

Dara Calleary: I thank both Deputies. As they acknowledged, there is a town centre first officer in Kildare. The town centre first town plan under phase 1, which was announced in December 2021 for Kildare, includes Clane, and phase 2 includes Castledermot. Through the town centre first town team support funds, we are funding teams in Monasterevin, Kilcullen and Ballymore Eustace to do their work locally....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ferry Services (22 May 2025)

Dara Calleary: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta. Tá mé chun freagra a thabhairt as Béarla, tá brón orm. My Department makes a significant annual investment in subsidised transport services to ensure our island communities can avail of reliable, affordable year-round ferry and heavy cargo services. In the case of Oileáin Thoraí, there are four separate subsidised...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ferry Services (22 May 2025)

Dara Calleary: I can assure the Deputy that what we have done is prioritise services into Oileán Thoraí to make sure that they are being delivered, that there is the traditional ferry service and that there is a fast ferry service. They are new services and they are providing a strong service. I have been told there is an issue with Magheraroarty Pier. Donegal County Council was awarded...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ferry Services (22 May 2025)

Dara Calleary: I certainly look forward to the visit but want to be straight with the Deputy that as of now, the intention is to examine those existing services. I will sit down with the Deputy, Deputy Gallagher and the comharchumann to look at it because I want to get a full understanding of it and see for myself how the service works. I will not just go to Magheraroarty; I will go on to the oileán...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Regeneration Projects (22 May 2025)

Dara Calleary: I thank Deputy O'Hara for his question on this project. As he will be aware, the RRDF is a major capital investment programme seeking to support large-scale, ambitious projects that can achieve sustainable economic and social development in rural areas. To date, the RRDF has allocated €588 million for 243 projects across the country. A fourth call for category 2 applications was...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Regeneration Projects (22 May 2025)

Dara Calleary: I have heard the Deputy's case and I note the project from his question. We have to ensure these projects are done properly. The documents have only been with us since 14 March and there will be engagement on the viability of the project. The core aspect about this specific measure is that it opens up potential funding again. There will be engagement with Galway County Council, which is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Regeneration Projects (22 May 2025)

Dara Calleary: I completely hear the Deputy. Many of the projects we have involve older buildings that people are seeking to repurpose. The process is designed to protect those buildings but also to protect the investment and to ensure that the investment we make at this stage will unlock potential future investment. There is no point in us opening up an expectation in respect of investment that we may...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (22 May 2025)

Dara Calleary: The Local Improvement Scheme is an important support for rural communities in improving non-public rural roads and laneways not usually maintained by local authorities. Since its establishment in 2017, the government has provided almost €170 million to local authorities under the scheme. In April 2024, €40 million in funding was announced across all local authorities to...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (22 May 2025)

Dara Calleary: The CLÁR Programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas. This programme has gone from strength to strength in recent years. Almost €14 million was approved for over 320 projects across the country under last year's scheme. This was the largest allocation under the scheme since it was...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Schemes (22 May 2025)

Dara Calleary: My Department supports rural development through a wide range of schemes including the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. It also delivers programmes which seek to address social and economic deprivation in communities throughout the country such as the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme, and the Community Services Programme. ...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Men's Sheds (22 May 2025)

Dara Calleary: I believe that the emergence of Men’s Sheds and Women's Sheds has been a very positive development for communities across Ireland and I am fully committed to supporting Men's Sheds and Women's Sheds in the valuable work they do. My Department provides funding to Men's Sheds and Women’s (Sister) Sheds under various funding supports, including: The €7 million Local...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (22 May 2025)

Dara Calleary: The Town and Village Renewal Scheme, is one of a number of schemes delivered by my Department as part of its Rural Development Investment Programme. The Scheme was introduced in 2016, and has to date allocated over €177 million to almost 1,800 projects nationally. Of this, Cork has been allocated over €9.5 million for 94 projects. The 2025 scheme is intended to support...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Water Safety (22 May 2025)

Dara Calleary: First, I wish to express my condolences to the families and friends of the three young people who tragically drowned recently off our coasts. Water Safety Ireland (WSI), which comes under the aegis of my Department, is the statutory, voluntary body established to promote water safety and reduce drownings in Ireland. WSI has statutory responsibility for the promotion of public awareness...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (22 May 2025)

Dara Calleary: As the Deputy is aware, my Department supports rural development through a wide range of schemes including the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, the LEADER Programme, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, and the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme. It also supports programmes which target and address social and economic deprivation in communities throughout the country such as...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Cuanta agus Céanna (22 May 2025)

Dara Calleary: Mar is eol don Teachta, is í Comhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe atá freagrach as cothabháil agus forbairt na gcéanna ar na hOileáin Árann, Inis Oírr san áireamh. Maidir le forbairt ché Inis Oírr, is í Comhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe an ghníomhaireacht urraíochta agus údarás conarthach agus dá bhrí sin tá...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Projects (22 May 2025)

Dara Calleary: A combined budget of €100 million has been made available across two iterations of the Community Recognition Fund, or CRF, announced in 2023 and 2024. CRF 2024 is being delivered across 3 separate tranches. The successful projects have been announced under two of the tranches, and I expect to announce the third tranche shortly. I have provided the Deputy with a table setting out...