Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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214. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the next tranche of grant aid to be awarded by his Department will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15631/19]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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215. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the various headings under which applications for grant aid under the various schemes operated by his Department can be made; the opening and closing dates in respect of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15632/19]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 214 and 215 together.

My Department delivers a variety of schemes that provide supports for groups in rural and urban communities, they include the following:

LEADER

LEADER is a multi-annual programme covering the period 2014-2020 which is delivered through Local Action Groups in each of the 28 LEADER sub-regional areas around the country. Funding can be provided under a broad range of defined themes, which include enterprise development and social inclusion.

The decision to approve a project, or otherwise, is a matter for the Local Action Groups (LAGs) which administer the programme in each LEADER area. Interested applicants should, in the first instance, contact the relevant LAG through its Implementing Partners to discuss the funding that may be available. Contact details for all LAGs are available on my Department's website at .

The Community Services Programme (CSP)Supports around 400 community organisations to provide local services through a social enterprise model, with funding provided as a fixed annual contribution to the cost of a manager and an agreed number of full-time equivalent (FTE) positions. Some €46m is available under the programme in 2019. Expressions of Interestare accepted on an ongoing basis with new organisations funded subject to fit with the programme and the availability of funding in any given year.

Community Enhancement Programme

The Community Enhancement Programme provides capital grants to community groups to help them to enhance facilities in disadvantaged areas. The 2019 programme was launched last week and applications should be made to the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) in the relevant area. The exact closing date for receipt of applications will be set following consultation with the LCDCs that administer the programme on behalf of the Department.

Town and Village Renewal Scheme

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme was introduced in the second half of 2016 and, to date, almost €53 million has been approved under the scheme for more than 670 projects across the country. These projects cover a range of activities, from improving the public realm to making towns and villages more attractive for locals and visitors alike, to job-creation initiatives such as the development of enterprise hubs and digital hubs. Details of the 2019 Town and Village Renewal Scheme are currently being finalised by my officials and I anticipate that the scheme will be announced shortly.

CLÁR

The CLÁR programme has, in the past, provided funding for the items referred to by the Deputy, to established organisations that operate on a voluntary basis and are involved in emergency rescue or first response efforts in the community. CLÁR operates in specific designated rural areas that have experienced high levels of depopulation. I launched the 2019 CLÁR programme on 28 February last. The measures being funded under the programme this year include a Community Wellbeing Supports measure, comprising:

(a) First Response Support

(b) Mobility and Cancer Care Transport

(c) Sensory Gardens

The deadline for applications is 25 April 2019

Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme

The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme is part of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development and provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure or the necessary maintenance, enhancement or promotion of existing outdoor recreational infrastructure in Ireland. I launched the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme for 2019 on Friday 29 March last, to continue investment in projects that will benefit visitors and locals alike in rural areas.

The Walks Scheme

The Walks Scheme currently covers 39 trails, with payments made to approximately 1,900 private land-holders to maintain those trails. The Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to increase the number of walks covered by the scheme. In line with this commitment, funding for the scheme was doubled in Budget 2019 - from €2 million to €4 million - to allow this expansion to proceed. Expression of Interest Forms are available on my Department's website.

Rural Regeneration and Development Fund

The first call for applications for the €1 billion Rural Regeneration and Development Fund closed at the end of September. I have allocated €86 million in support for 84 projects worth €117m under the first call. A further call for applications to the Fund will be announced in the coming weeks.

All application windows for these and other programmes funded by my Department will be published on my Department's website. Funding announcements will be made in each case when applications have been processed and evaluated.

Similarly, the next tranches of grant aid will be allocated throughout the year. Information on grant-aid under the various schemes will be made known to eligible parties through Press Releases on the Department's website.