Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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251. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans for interaction with local community groups dedicated to improving their respective locations in urban and rural areas nationwide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24558/20]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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253. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she plans to liaise with local community based organisations with a view to actions likely to lead to improvement in quality of life in both urban and rural areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24560/20]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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255. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the degree to which she plans to engage with community groups with a view to identifying particular needs in urban and rural area and putting in place remedial measures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24562/20]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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261. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the structures she plans to liaise with and respond to the requirements as experienced in various areas, urban and rural nationwide that have suffered economically in recent times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24568/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 251, 253, 255 and 261 together.

My Department's mission is “To promote rural and community development and to support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland."

A key part of achieving this mission is ongoing engagement with a wide range of stakeholders regarding the Department's policies, programmes and supports so that we deliver outcomes that positively impact the quality of life of those living and working in our communities.

These stakeholders include groups involved in rural development, the community and voluntary sector, smaller local community groups and organisations, other Government Departments and the statutory bodies under the aegis of the Department.

Communicating with these stakeholders assists in identifying areas relevant to the work of the Department where supports or funding are required and the most appropriate remedial or proactive measures that can be taken in response.

One example of proactive interaction with communities was the delivery in 2019, in conjunction with Pobal, of a series of 'Helping Hands' events nationwide last year, to engage with communities and create awareness and understanding of funding programmes. Feedback from these interactions was very positive, and it is hoped that similar events could be scheduled in the future when permitted by public safety advice.

In addition to informal engagement, submissions are also encouraged from all such bodies, where appropriate, in relation to consultation processes held by my Department. This will shortly include the opportunity for individuals and groups to make submissions regarding a new Statement of Strategy, which is currently in development.

The Department has continued to engage proactively with its stakeholders during the COVID crisis through various on line means. This engagement has helped deliver solutions including additional funding to address challenges being faced by those in communities and their representative groups at this time.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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252. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the degree to which she plans to disperse funds from her Department to eligible groups nationwide, with particular reference to areas in need of rejuvenation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24559/20]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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260. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to reward community activity in such a way as to generate improved economic activity in both urban and rural areas faced with particular difficulties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24567/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 252 and 260 together.

The Department for Rural and Community Development was established in 2017 to support the creation of vibrant and sustainable communities across this country. My Department delivers a coherent package of supports to strengthen and rejuvenate rural and urban communities. These supports enable economic growth and development and also support communities to address gaps in meeting social needs, including those caused by higher levels of deprivation.  The Department delivers funding support for rejuvenation of areas across the following three programmes:

Rural Development Investment Programme-€149.7m. These programmes include; Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), LEADER Programme, Town and Village Renewal Scheme, Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure scheme (ORIS), Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) and the CLÁR Programme

Community Funding Programmes-€153.9m. These programmes include; Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), Community Services Programme (CSP), Community Enhancement Programme (CEP), PEACE IV, Public library funding, Dormant Accounts Funding. This funding also supports communities faced with difficulties due to marginalization and isolation.

The 2020 Town and Village Renewal Schemehas been tailored to focus on interventions that can support the economic and social recovery of our rural towns and villages, to generate improved economic activity and assist them in responding to the challenges presented by COVID-19. Car parking improvements expressly designed to encourage increased footfall in town centres and that deliver a benefit to the community as a whole are included among the activities that are eligible for funding.

The July Stimulus Package provided an additional €10 million of funding that allowed for the expansion of the Scheme and brought the total funding available for the Scheme this year to €25 million. This funding will provide funding for more projects in rural towns and villages to respond to the challenges presented by COVID-19. A total of €6.1m has been approved for 226 projects to date in 2020 with additional successful projects due to be announced in due course. The closing date for the Standard Town and Village Renewal Scheme is 30^thSeptember 2020 with communities being encouraged to submit their applications through their Local Authority by that date.

The Community Enhancement Programme,was launched in 2018 to address disadvantage in urban and rural communities. The 2020 Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) with funding of €2m, launched in June.  Additionally, a further €5m from the July stimulus package, was launched by the Department in August 2020, under the CEP for community centres and community buildings.

Under Project Ireland 2040,the Government has committed to providing €1 billionfor a new Rural Regeneration and Development Fundover the period 2019 to 2027. Initial funding of €315m was secured over the period 2019 to 2022.  This represents an unprecedented commitment by Government to strengthen our rural economies and communities. The objective of the Fund is to support collaborative, coordinated and complementary packages of investment between Departments, agencies, Local Authorities and other public bodies, to pool their assets and work with communities to generate improved economic activity, transforming our rural towns and villages and their outlying areas. The Fund provides an unprecedented opportunity to make a significant impact on rural communities which will transform rural Ireland for the better and shows that the Government understands the need for proper investment in rural Ireland.

The CLÁR programmeprovides funding for small scale projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population. Under the 2020 programme a “Schools/Community Safety Measure” is being funded. This may fund the provision of safety related infrastructure in the environs of a school or community space such as lighting, car park and footpath upgrades and digital speed safety signs. The CLÁR programme 2020, launched at the end of May, closed for applications under these measures at the end of August last. The applications received are now being assessed and it is hoped to announce successful projects by November.

The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) is worth €190m over five years to the end of 2022. My Department funds Local Development Companies to work with disadvantaged individuals and groups, offering service users an integrated range of supports i.e. Lifelong Learning and Training; CV and Interview Preparation; Personal Development Courses; Self-Employment training; Business Planning and Budgeting Supports and helping them onto a work placement programme such as CE or T?s.

The Community Services Programme,provides funding to organisations delivering services in disadvantaged communities. More than €46m is available to support community organisations under the programme in 2020.

In addition, since its establishment, my Department also relaunched the Local Improvement Schemefor private rural roads and laneways.

My Department published the 1st National Policy on Social Enterprise in 2019.Social enterprises play an important role in creating jobs, in investing in people, and in supporting communities.

The Strategy to Support the Community & Voluntary Sector in Ireland Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communitiessets out a long-term vision for our communities in Ireland. The Strategy sets a general direction for Government policy in relation to community development, local development and the community and voluntary sectors for the next five years and beyond. I was delighted funding in the 2020 Budget Allocations supports the implementation of the actions detailed in the Strategy.  This will include enhanced supports for the structures which drive local engagement in decision making – the Public Participation Networks and the Local Community Development Committees.

The Action Plan for Rural Developmentwhich had cross-Departmental delivery, reached the end of its three-year timeframe at the end of 2019. The Forthcoming Policy for Rural Development 2020-2025 builds on the Action Plan for Rural Development, but with a more forward-looking approach to the policies, programmes and structures needed to embed economic and social development in rural areas and underscore the interdependence of urban and rural areas in national economic, social and cultural recovery.DRCD is leading on ensuring strong coherence across key Government policies to ensure that rural communities and economies are in a strong position to:

- adapt to future challenges e.g. changing demographics within rural communities, climate change adaptation, Brexit, post-COVID recovery, and to

- take advantage of available opportunities (e.g. diversification of rural economies, new ways of working, increased Government investment targeted at balanced regional development).

The Policy will deliver for rural Ireland in an integrated and strategic way across Government, with DRCD playing a central co-ordinating role.

I am confident that these plans will propose actions that will support rural economic development and the local and the community development sectors who continue providing valuable needed services and supports to both urban and rural communities.

In the present COVID environment the supports provided by my Department to assist communities is more important than ever. In this regard, my Department will continue to host online engagements with stakeholders on the short-term and longer-term impacts of COVID-19 on rural areas and any consequential actions which need to be taken to assist the economic and social recovery of these areas.  These engagements will input into the development of the new rural policy for Ireland for 2020-2025 to be published shortly. 

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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254. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the steps she plans to take to address the social and economic needs of areas suffering from social deprivation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24561/20]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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256. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she and her office have identified areas of social and economic deprivation in both urban and rural areas nationwide with a view to putting in place supportive measures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24563/20]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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263. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to evaluate the emerging needs of urban Ireland with a view to coordinating measures to address imbalances or lack of opportunity arising from various reasons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24570/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 254, 256 and 263 together.

The Department for Rural and Community Development was established in 2017 to support the creation of vibrant and sustainable communities across this country.

My Department has developed strategic interventions, funding programmes and schemes which target social inclusion in urban and rural areas nationwide. These supports enable economic growth and development and also support communities to address gaps in meeting social needs, including those caused by higher levels of deprivation. Those programmes include:

The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme(SICAP), is our country’s primary social inclusion intervention. This is a national programme that is delivered in both rural and urban areas by Local Development Companies (LDCs) to help those in the greatest need. SICAP aims to address high and persistent levels of deprivation through targeted and innovative, locally-led approaches. It targets and supports those who are disadvantaged in Irish society and less likely to use mainstream services. SICAPworkers have extensive local connections and in-depth knowledge of available resources and supports in their area and are continuing to work to ensure the emerging needs of their locality are responded to. The response in each area differs as LDCs support local structures and needs rather than imposing general solutions. SICAP allocations to areas are informed by the Pobal Hasse Deprivation Index which measures the relative affluence or disadvantage of areas within the State. This ensures that the programme is targeting disadvantage fairly.

The Community Services Programme (CSP)Support Fund extended in 2019, provides funding to organisations finding it difficult to meet minimum wage obligations. 

The 2020 Town and Village Renewal Schemehas been tailored to focus on interventions that can support the economic and social recovery of our rural towns and villages, and assist them in responding to the challenges presented by COVID-19.

The Dublin North East Inner City Initiative (NEIC)following on from the Mulvey Report, funds varied projects, from pilot drugs projects and social employment projects to community grants and events

The Community Enhancement Programme (CEP), focuses on supporting groups in disadvantaged areas. 

The CLÁR programmeprovides funding for small scale projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population. The CLÁR programme 2020, launched at the end of May (closed for applications under these measures at the end of August last). The applications received are now being assessed and it is hoped to announce successful projects by November.

DRCD works closely with Local Community Development Committees, (LCDCs)who are a key element of the local authorities’ strengthened role in local development and community development as envisaged in the Local Government Reform Act 2014. Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) are also responsible for preparing the community elements of 6-year Local Economic and Community Plans (LECPs).  These plans focus on measures which will enhance the quality of life and wellbeing of communities in both urban and rural settings.  This is done through a coordinated approach to planning and service delivery. Current LECPs are due for renewal in 2021/2022 and my Department will be supporting the Local Authorities and LCDCs to develop new LECPs. The LECP development process includes extensive public and stakeholder consultation.  

In 2018, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fundwas launched as part of Project Ireland 2040 and this fund will provide €1 billion over the next 10 years. Under Project Ireland 2040,the Government has committed to providing €1billion for a new Rural Regeneration and Development Fundover the period 2019 to 2027. Initial funding of €315m was secured over the period 2019 to 2022.  This represents an unprecedented commitment by Government to strengthen our rural economies and communities. 

In addition, since its establishment, my Department has also relaunched the Local Improvement Scheme for private rural roads and laneways.

My Department's policy provides, for both urban and rural areas nationwide, an integrated and strategic way of delivering supports, programmes and schemes,  coordinating measures to address imbalances or lack of opportunity,  making a real difference to people’s lives. Those policies include:

The 1st National Policy on Social Enterprise published in 2019.Social enterprises play an important role in creating jobs, in investing in people, and in supporting communities.

The Strategy to Support the Community & Voluntary Sector in Ireland Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communitiessets out a long-term vision for our communities in Ireland. The Strategy sets a general direction for Government policy in relation to community development, local development and the community and voluntary sectors for the next five years and beyond. I was delighted funding in the 2020 Budget Allocations supports the implementation of the actions detailed in the Strategy.  This will include enhanced supports for the structures which drive local engagement in decision making – the Public Participation Networks and the Local Community Development Committees.

The Forthcoming Policy for Rural Development 2020-2025 buildson the Action Plan for Rural Development (Completed 2019), but with a more forward-looking approach to the policies, programmes and structures needed to embed economic and social development in rural areas and underscore the interdependence of urban and rural areas in national economic, social and cultural recovery.DRCD is leading on ensuring strong coherence across key Government policies to ensure that rural communities and economies are in a strong position to:

- adapt to future challenges e.g. changing demographics within rural communities, climate change adaptation, Brexit, post-COVID recovery, and to

- take advantage of available opportunities (e.g. diversification of rural economies, new ways of working, increased Government investment targeted at balanced regional development).

In the present COVID environment the supports provided by my Department to assist vulnerable communities is more important than ever. In this regard, my Department will continue to host online engagements with stakeholders on the short-term and longer-term impacts of COVID-19 on rural areas and any consequential actions which need to be taken to assist the economic and social recovery of these areas.  These engagements will input into the development of the new rural policy for Ireland for 2020-2025 to be published shortly.