Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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344. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to enhance and expand existing youth and older persons services in Kildare north. [56006/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Provision of services for young people is primarily under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and services for older people fall largely under the responsibility of the Minister for Health.

My Department’s mission is to support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland. In delivering on its mission, my Department provides a wide range of strategic interventions, funding programmes and policies to support all cohorts living in our communities, including young people, older people, and people with disabilities.

Funding provided by my Department supports both urban and rural communities and includes supports for sports clubs, youth groups, and voluntary and community groups. In September I announced funding of over €2.75 million for 74 community projects nationwide. This funding, under the CLÁR Programme, will provide sports clubs, schools and community groups with grants of up to €50,000 to develop a range of projects that will benefit people of all ages. The successful projects include astroturf pitches, community gyms, playgrounds, basketball and tennis courts, outdoor pool tables, outdoor cinemas, walkways, public toilets and car park facilities. 

Other community supports provided by my Department include the Community Centres Investment Fund and the Community Services Programme.

In October I announced funding of over €12.5 million for the upgrade and development of almost 600 community centres nationwide through the Community Centres Investment Fund. The funding will see improvements to community centres, GAA clubs, parish halls, youth centres, men’s sheds and facilities used by our elderly.

The Community Services Programme (CSP) supports over 2,000 positions in more than 430 community organisations to provide a vast range of local services through a social enterprise model.  The CSP supports a range of services and activities that enhance the quality of life of older people and those most vulnerable within our communities, including the provision of meals within centres and via a meals-on-wheels service.

The Dormant Accounts Action Plan 2023, which was published on 8 November, provides a €54.5 million funding package aimed at disadvantaged communities and vulnerable groups across the country. The Action Plan sets out 44 initiatives across nine Government Departments, including measures providing sporting and educational opportunities to our young people, and delivering projects for our elderly, disabled, marginalised and disadvantaged. Dormant Accounts funding makes a real difference to individuals and communities right across the country, ensuring supports are provided to those who need them most

Under the Dormant Accounts Fund an allocation of €3 million is available to provide older people with personal safety alarms under the Senior Alerts Scheme. The Seniors Alert Scheme encourages community support for vulnerable older people in our communities through the provision of personal monitored alarms to enable them to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind.

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, Government Departments and State Agencies.

My Department continues to engage in ongoing dialogue with rural and urban stakeholders in order to identify issues impacting on individuals and communities and to enable us to respond to emerging needs within our communities.