Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Supervalu TidyTowns competition is a unique community movement which has a huge impact on our communities throughout Ireland. It is an effective and important sustainability initiative both from an environmental and community perspective. It encourages communities to improve their local environment and make their area a better place to live, work and visit in line with the objectives of Our Rural Future, the national rural development policy.

The SuperValu TidyTowns Competition is administered by the Department of Rural and Community Development each year along with SuperValu, who are the main sponsor of the competition.

The competition is administered within the Rural Regeneration Unit, overseen by a Principal Officer. I have listed below the grades of staff working in the Rural Regeneration Unit of DRCD, with responsibility for the administration and organisation of the SuperValu TidyTowns Competition in conjunction with our sponsor, SuperValu. While staff members on the team also have responsibility for other areas of work, below is an estimated apportionment of their time dedicated to the Supervalu Tidy Towns competition.

1 Full-time Equivalent (FTE) Clerical Officer

1 FTE Executive Officer

.7 FTE Higher Executive Officer

.3 FTE Assistant Principal Officer

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Supervalu TidyTowns competition is a unique community movement which has a huge impact on our communities throughout Ireland. It encourages communities to improve their local environment and make their area a better place to live, work and visit in line with the objectives of Our Rural Future, the national rural development policy.

The competition has evolved in recent years, widening its focus to supporting Ireland's commitments under the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

In 2023, the Department had a panel of 29 adjudicators who were contracted for the duration of the SuperValu TidyTowns competition. The remuneration paid to adjudicators is based on a daily fee of €300 and in addition a variable fee per centre adjudicated is paid (ranging from €175 in respect of a village to €300 for a large urban centre). The standard Civil Service Travel and Subsistence rates also apply.

In January 2024, my Department ran a recruitment process for trainee adjudicators. I am pleased to say that a panel has been created and once training has successfully been completed, this will bring the panel up to 40 adjudicators.