Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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854. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she has received applications from north Kildare under the rural and community development schemes operated by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28215/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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855. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which applications have been received in her Department from community-based groups in north Kildare for assistance under the schemes operated by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28216/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 854 and 855 together.

My Department’s mission is to promote rural and community development and support the creation of vibrant and sustainable communities across the country, including in Co Kildare. I am committed to the successful delivery of a number of programmes which provide financial and other supports to community groups and organisations.

These supports enable economic regeneration and also support communities to address gaps in meeting social needs.  

I am happy to confirm that in excess of €2.8 million has been allocated to specific projects in County Kildare so far in 2022. Kildare was allocated €3.8 million in 2021.

Details of applications are not available at the granular geographic level requested by the Deputy, however details of applications received by my Department from County Kildare during 2022 to date under the following programmes are outlined below:

The LEADERprogramme is a key intervention implemented by my Department which will help to underpin the Government's rural development goals as outlined in Our Rural Future. LEADER is administered by 29 Local Action Groups (LAGs) which deliver funding in accordance with Local Development Strategies that have been agreed for each LAG area. Project applications are made to, and approved by, the relevant LAG in each LEADER area. 85 projects have been approved for funding to date under the LEADER programme to a value in excess of €4.8 million in the Kildare LAG area.

No applications located in Kildare were received to the third call for Category 2 applications which was completed in January 2022 under theRural Regeneration and Development Fund.The fourth call for Category 1 applications closed for applications is 29th April 2022. One application was received to this call from County Kildare.

Five application were received under the 2022 Connected Hubs Call. Applications are currently being evaluated and an announcement is expected in the coming weeks.

Under theOutdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS),3 applications were received in 2022.  Applications for all Measures under ORIS are now closed. Successful projects under Measure 1 and the Project Development Measure will be announced in the coming weeks. Measures 2 & 3 projects will be announced later this year. 

I also launched the Community Centres Investment Fund on the 15th April 2022.  This is a €15m fund to support community groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with the upgrade of their community centre facilities.  Applicants must register as 'users' at www.gov.ie/drcdin advance of submitting an application. The application process opens on 7 June 2022 with a closing date of 14 July 2022.

The Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) provides capital funding to community groups in disadvantaged areas across Ireland. The 2021 CEP provided €4.5 million of grant funding for communities to enhance their facilities. In Kildare, 27 projects valued at €148,013 were funded under the 2021 CEP. The 2021 CEP is now closed and it is likely that another CEP will be delivered later in 2022.  I would advise the local groups to check www.gov.ie/drcdon a regular basis for updates and to also make contact with their Local Community Development Committees for further details on the programme.

In November 2021, the once off €9m Community Activities Fundwas launched to support community groups impacted by COVID-19 to carry out necessary repairs and to purchase equipment. This fund was administered locally by the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs). Kildare was allocated €296,027 in funding under the Community Activities Fund. To date €219,744 has been awarded to 53 local projects . The fund is now closed to applicants. Details of successful projects from each LCDC will be available on the Department’s website at www.gov.ie/drcd.

Details of all programmes, including eligibility criteria, how to apply, and other information, can be found on my Department's website, www.gov.ie/drcd.

My Department will continue to support our communities and I am committed to reviewing funding priorities on an ongoing basis to ensure supports remain targeted at those most in need. 

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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856. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the degree to which she and her Department continue to monitor the requirements of community-based groups throughout County Kildare with a view to offering assistance with particular reference to the post-Covid era; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28217/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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857. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she expects to be in a position to offer assistance to various voluntary community groups throughout the country in the current year in order to address matters arising from or associated with Covid or other issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28218/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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858. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the degree to which she expects to be in a position to assist various youth groups throughout County Kildare and the country in general in order to encourage their development and if required, provide financial assistance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28219/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 856 to 858, inclusive, together.

My Department's mission is to support vibrant and sustainable communities across this country, including in Kildare, and in doing so to deliver on a wide range of strategic interventions, funding programmes and policies to support urban and rural communities including youth groups and voluntary and community groups.

Groups or organisations qualify for support schemes or programmes provided by my Department where they meet the requisite eligibility criteria. Funding includes the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), the Community Services Programme, the CLÁR Programme, the Community Enhancement Programme, and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. To date in 2022 my Department has provided over €2.8m in supports to Co. Kildare through various schemes.

The Covid-19 Stability Fund has also provided support over the last 2 years and while this fund has now closed, other funding streams, such as the Community Activities Fund recently announced by my Department and administered through Local Community Development Committees, continue to provide support to community and voluntary organisations.

My Department is also responsible for a number of national policies containing measures to improve the lives of people throughout the country. These include the National Policy on Social Enterprise, and Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities: 5 Year Strategy to Support the Community and Voluntary Sector 2019-2024.

Last year I launched Our Rural Future, a new whole-of-Government rural development policy. The policy is an ambitious blueprint for the social and economic development of rural Ireland over the next five years. It has the potential to have a transformative effect on rural communities and positive impacts on the lives of people living and working in rural areas. The policy is supported by 150 commitments across Government, which will address the challenges facing communities and deliver new opportunities for people living in rural areas.

All my Department’s policies are underpinned by extensive consultation with a wide range of stakeholders including rural and urban stakeholder groups, community groups, young people, women’s groups, Government Departments and State Agencies. This engagement process provides important insights into issues impacting on rural and urban communities, and in identifying areas for response relevant to the work of my Department.

I will continue to collaborate with my Government colleagues and to monitor the issues which impact our urban and rural communities in order to respond to emerging needs.