Results 881-900 of 15,365 for speaker:Dara Calleary

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Projects (13 May 2025)

Dara Calleary: The last few years have seen a substantial growth in the level of capital funding that my Department provides to local authorities for the delivery of capital projects under our schemes. In addition, this government has ambitious plans for rural Ireland and this strong investment will continue, with over €170 million available to my Department for rural capital investment in 2025. ...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Strategies (13 May 2025)

Dara Calleary: As the Deputy will be aware, the development and implementation of national equality policies, including those relevant to rural areas, falls under the remit of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. That Department oversees a range of policies designed to address equality issues across all sectors and regions, including on LGBTI+, Traveller and Roma...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Strategies (13 May 2025)

Dara Calleary: Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, the National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023- 2027, was published in November 2022. The strategy was developed in collaboration with Comhairle na Tuaithe and is a collaborative cross-Government, stakeholder-led strategy. Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors will ensure that there is a joined up and coordinated approach to deliver maximum impact from...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Schemes (13 May 2025)

Dara Calleary: The CLÁR Programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas which were selected based on an analysis of population decline. The Programme for Government makes a commitment to carry out a comprehensive review of the eligibility criteria of CLÁR within 6 months with a view to expanding the programme...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (13 May 2025)

Dara Calleary: The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), is our country’s primary social inclusion intervention, aiming to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion and equality by supporting disadvantaged communities and individuals. SICAP is a national programme delivered in both rural and urban areas by Local Development Companies (LDCs) to help those in the greatest need....

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Projects (13 May 2025)

Dara Calleary: The Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF) has provided in excess of €109 million since its commencement in 2022 for the enhancement and refurbishment of existing community centres and the construction of new centres. Over €45.8 million was approved for some 860 projects nationwide under CCIF 2022, with 184 unsuccessful applicants. In early 2024, funding of €30...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Programmes (13 May 2025)

Dara Calleary: My Department's Community Services Programme (CSP) currently supports 428 community-based organisations, with a budget of €55.4m in 2025, to provide local services through a social enterprise model. The CSP Programme provides an annual co-funding contribution towards each full-time equivalent (FTE) position being supported and, where warranted, towards the cost of employing a manager....

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Men's Sheds (13 May 2025)

Dara Calleary: The emergence of Men’s Sheds and Women's Sheds has been a very positive development for communities across Ireland. They provide a safe, comfortable and inclusive environment where people of all ages can share skills, work on meaningful projects and connect with their communities. I am fully committed to supporting Men's Sheds and Women's Sheds in the valuable work they do. My...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (13 May 2025)

Dara Calleary: The Community Recognition Fund was first introduced in 2023 to recognise the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland. A total of €100 million has now been allocated over two iterations to support these cities, towns and villages. The 2024 iteration of the fund is being delivered over three tranches so as to allow flexibility at a local...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Projects (13 May 2025)

Dara Calleary: The Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF) has provided in excess of €109 million since 2022 for the enhancement and refurbishment of existing community centres and the construction of new centres. The group referenced by the Deputy submitted an application under category 2 of the 2024 fund and were awarded funding of €31,768.65 for enhancement works on their facility. ...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Bodies (13 May 2025)

Dara Calleary: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1288, 1289, 1291, 1292, 1293, 1294, 1296 and 1297 together. There are no non-governmental organisations which operate under the auspices of my Department, nor are there any functions within the Department relating to how such organisations are structured, how they operate geographically, or if they charge membership or participation fees. Rather my...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Funding (13 May 2025)

Dara Calleary: There are no non-governmental organisations which operate under the auspices of my Department. However, my Department does administer schemes intended to support organisations operating in the community and voluntary sector, including the Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO), the Community Services Programme (CSP), the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP),...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Domestic Violence (8 May 2025)

Dara Calleary: The accommodation needs of victims of domestic violence are met through a joined-up service delivery model provided by Tusla with the close involvement of the various housing authorities nationwide. Access to Rent Supplement can be provided on referral by Tusla or by prescribed Tusla-funded service providers. This provides victims of domestic violence with a fast-track approval and...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Data (8 May 2025)

Dara Calleary: The Fuel Allowance is a means-tested payment to assist pensioners and other long-term social welfare dependent householders with their winter heating costs. The payment is a contribution towards heating costs; it is not intended to meet these costs in full. The payment is made over the winter season - from September to April - at the weekly rate of €33 or, if preferred, by way of two...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Grant Payments (8 May 2025)

Dara Calleary: The Training Support Grant is designed to support quick access to short-term training where the training is not delivered by a state provider. The grant can be provided where an immediate skills gap is identified that represents an obstacle to taking up a job offer or accessing other opportunities. A maximum contribution of €250 can be approved and paid for Essential Driver...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Pension Provisions (8 May 2025)

Dara Calleary: The person concerned reached pension age on 10 September 2015. An application for State pension (contributory) was received from them on 25 July 2016. To be eligible for the State pension (contributory), an individual must have at least 520 paid contributions. The records of my Department show the person concerned has 416 paid contributions which falls short of the minimum requirement. I...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Data (8 May 2025)

Dara Calleary: I propose to take Questions Nos. 355 and 356 together. I have been informed by officials in my Department that this analysis will require additional time to complete. The requested information will be sent to directly to the Deputy when available.

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Inquiries (8 May 2025)

Dara Calleary: Domiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly non-means-tested payment of €360 to a parent or guardian for a child aged up to 16 who has a severe disability. The child must require care and attention substantially over and above that required by other children their age. Eligibility is not based on a specific disability or diagnosis, but rather on the impact of the condition and the level of...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Correspondence (8 May 2025)

Dara Calleary: It is important to note that the Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension (WCP) does not discontinue at age 66. In fact, the rate of payment increases for those who reach age 66 and they may also become entitled to the Living Alone Increase if they are living alone. It is open to a person in receipt of a WCP to apply for the State Pension (Contributory) (SPC)...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Living Wage (8 May 2025)

Dara Calleary: This is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.