Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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1050. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the supports which will be provided to community, social and tourism enterprises that have lost large levels of revenue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9254/20]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Since the COVID-19 public health emergency, we have seen many community and voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises, significantly step-up and diversify their activities to adapt to local needs as part of their valued contribution to the Community Call.

However, I am also aware that many of these organisations find themselves in financial difficulty as their commercial activities have been significantly curtailed.  In recognition of this, I recently announced a number of support measures for community and voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises.

In April, I launched a €2.5 million COVID Emergency Fund to support community and voluntary groups, including social enterprises, involved in the delivery of COVID-19 community response efforts.  This Fund was delivered through the Local Authorities.

In May, I launched a €40 million package of supports under the Dormant Accounts Fund, which comprises:

- a €35 million COVID-19 Stability Fund administered by Pobal, to help organisations who have seen their traded and/or fundraised income drop significantly during the crisis; and  

- a €5 million Government commitment to a Philanthropy ‘Innovate Together’ Fund, administered by Social Innovation Fund Ireland, which focuses on supporting responses to the crisis that require innovative and adaptive solutions to existing and emerging challenges

While applications have closed for now for the above supports, my Department continues to support the development of social enterprises in line with the National Social Enterprise Policy (2019-2022), in a number of ways.

The Training and Mentoring Pilot scheme, which I launched last year, is supporting over 400 participants to develop their social enterprises, with funding of over €725,000.  This scheme is even more important now in light of the COVID crisis, to help social enterprises to build their capacity and resilience in difficult trading circumstances. 

The €2 million Small Scale Capital Grants for Social Enterprise, which I also launched last year, is supporting 220 projects nationwide.  Both of these schemes are funded from the Dormant Accounts Fund.

My Department also continues to support social enterprises and other community organisations through a number of other programmes including SICAP, LEADER and the Community Services Programme (CSP).  These organisations provide services and products in a variety of sectors, including local tourism.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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1051. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the timeframe will be extended to allow for delays and inevitable changes in circumstances as a result of Covid-19 in circumstances in which community facilities were previously awarded funding under the town and renewal scheme for specific works which must be completed by mid-2021 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9265/20]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland under my Department's “Rural Development Investment Programme”.  The Scheme is funded under Project Ireland 2040 and is administered through the Local Authorities.

Since the launch of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme in 2016, almost €68 million has been allocated to more than 830 projects across Ireland.

I recognise that, as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic, many communities are currently experiencing delays in completing projects which were approved for funding under various rural development programmes operated by my Department.  Requests for time extensions to complete projects will be examined on a case by case basis by my officials.  

In relation to the case referred to by the Deputy, my officials will contact the relevant Local Authority to establish further details, including the length of time that is likely to be required to complete the approved project.  A decision on the matter will be made based on this information.

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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1052. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development his views on providing additional funding for community organisations to provide young persons with resources and opportunities for socially distanced outdoor activities during the summer months in the context of an absence of usual summer camps. [9360/20]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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My Department is providing additional vital supports and funding for community organisations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is supporting the following initiatives which could provide  opportunities to deliver social distanced outdoor activities to benefit, young people and individuals of all ages:

The 2020 CLÁR programme was launched on 25 May 2020 and includes a new Community Recreation Areas measure in response to the impact of COVID-19 on communities across Ireland. This Measure will support a variety of capital interventions provided that they contribute to the enhancement of existing, and/or the development of new, accessible Community Recreation areas where people can socialise outdoors in safe community spaces. This measure will include support for items such as picnic benches/tables, outdoor covered seating or BBQ areas, Car and bike parking, bandstand/stage areas, etc.

Community groups may apply through their Local Authority and in turn the Local Authority will select the projects to be submitted to the Department. More information on the CLÁR programme is available on the Gov.ie website. The closing date for applications is 28 August 2020.

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme was launched on 27 May 2020 with an Accelerated Measure to Respond to COVID-19, focusing on immediate interventions that can be delivered in the short-term to assist towns and villages to adapt to COVID-19. It will be administered by Local Authorities who will have the autonomy to identify and develop their own solutions in consultation with local business interests, Town Teams, and community groups as appropriate. The projects funded can be delivered directly by the Local Authority or by a community/business organisation. It is expected that the projects will involve expenditure on supplies and services of a capital nature and can include items such as capital expenditure associated with festivals or smaller-scale events which can be enjoyed by all age groups in the community later in the year when public health guidelines allow.

Funding may be also be available through the existing LEADER Programme for the type of project activity referred to by the Deputy. In order for a project to be eligible for LEADER funding, it must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved Local Development Strategy for the relevant LEADER area, and it must comply with the Operating Rules and EU Regulations in place for the programme.

The decision to approve a project, or otherwise, is a matter for the Local Action Group (LAG) which administers 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.

The list of Local Action Groups, their Implementing Partners and their contact details is available on the National Rural Network website at the following link:

While recognising that the social recovery of Ireland post COVID-19 will require a whole of Government approach, my Department will continue to work with relevant stakeholders, including Local Authorities and Local Development Companies, to determine how best this can be achieved.

Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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1053. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the details of supports for community centres that will be facing serious financial problems due to the limits placed on the numbers allowed to attend the centres at any one time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9469/20]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Community facilities are funded from a range of different sources across different Government Departments and agencies.  Supports provided by my Department help people to participate in the development of their communities and also provide funding to improve community facilities.

My Department funds the Community Services Programme (CSP) which supports over 400 community organisations to provide local services.  Funding is provided as a fixed annual contribution to the cost of a manager and an agreed number of full-time equivalent positions.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, my Department recently developed a Support Fund which provides an additional once off payment to CSP organisations to cover a 12 week period from 26th March 2020, ensuring that they can pay their full-time CSP supported employees a maximum of €350 net per week, with a proportionate amount for part-time CSP supported employees.

The Community Enhancement Programme provides small capital grants for facilities in both rural and urban areas.  My Department is considering the appropriate approach for many of its programmes in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 Community Enhancement Programme is being considered in that context.

Other funding provided by my Department that can benefit rural community centres are the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the LEADER Programme.  Details can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/216837-the-rural-development-and-regional-affairs-division/