Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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356. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she and her Department are addressing the issue of rural isolation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34460/20]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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357. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development her views on rural isolation and the remedies being considered in this context; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34461/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 356 and 357 together.

I believe that doing all we can to address individual isolation in communities is more important than ever before. Rural isolation cuts across the work of a number of Departments, and this is reflected in ongoing work on community policing, rural transport and social inclusion, among other areas.

Many of my Department's policies and funding programmes aim to address isolation in rural communities and also deliver benefits to communities by responding to the challenges for vulnerable individuals in rural areas. Such key interventions include –

Fundingthe Seniors Alert Scheme, whichenables older people to live securely, with peace of mind, in their homes through the provision of personal monitored alarms, maintaining contact, if required to those who are vulnerable.

The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP),which is Ireland’s primary social inclusion funding intervention, is delivered locally by Local Development Companies (LDCs) to help those in the greatest need access supports to enable participation in communities.

As part of the Department’s Covid-19 Action Plan, increased support was provided for older people through the Department’s funding partnership with ALONE for their crisis telephone support line and follow on practical supports for those who need it.

Funding for Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) willensure that remote areas, particularly those that are likely to wait longest for connections, are provided with access to high-speed broadband in their communities while waiting for the National Broadband Plan roll-out to reach them.

Other targeted examples of actions being delivered by my Department which are helping those who feel isolated or vulnerable in communities include:

€500,000 funding was announced by my Department in Jan 2020 for 372 Men’s and Women’s Shedsto support the important work these groups do within communities to develop social networks and access information.

The 2020 Town and Village Renewal Scheme (T&V)is tailored to include projects which adapt outdoor spaces for hosting social gatherings/events to support the economic and social recovery of our rural towns and villages while living with COVID.

The LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020which will provide €250 million in financial resources to address the challenges facing rural areas over the course of the programme period, particularly under the themes of economic development and social inclusion.

The newNational Social Enterprise Policywill enable social enterprises increase their social, environmental and economic impact. Many social enterprises are based in rural or isolated areas and provide services to communities that may not otherwise be available. They also operate in our cities and other urban areas, often providing services to disadvantaged communities.

My Department will continue to work with our colleagues across Government to develop community support through the implementation of key policies including the Strategy to Support the Community and Voluntary Sector in Ireland and the forthcoming new national rural development policy.