Wild Atlantic Nature Project

Wild Atlantic Nature Project

Maximum Flexibility Needed for Successful Wild Atlantic Nature Project

An IFA delegation held a meeting this week with the new Wild Atlantic Nature Project and said it has to give farmers maximum flexibility.

The delegation included IFA Rural Development Chairman Michael Biggins, IFA Hill Chairman Flor McCarthy, Mayo IFA Hill Rep Pat Chambers and Mayo IFA Chairman Jarlath Walsh.

They held an outdoor hill assessment meeting in Mayo.

The Project is focused primarily on the blanket bog SACs and associated lands from Galway Bay up to north Donegal and the objective is to achieve good habitat quality in the north-western SACs.

Both Derek McLoughlin and Garry Goggins of the LIFE IP Wild Atlantic Nature project gave a detailed presentation on how each land parcel would be scored on an actual inspection.  The presence of undisturbed ground with many of the local grasses, heathers and moss will score the maximum points while poached or overgrazed and the presence of turf cutting may reduce the score.

Questions were raised about how each individual’s enclosed and commonage lands will be marked on the complex score card system which will determine payment rates.

IFA Hill Committee Chairman Flor McCarthy said, “The Wild Atlantic Nature Life IP or any other scheme must not lead to increased restrictions on farms and we welcome clarification that participating farmers will be allowed to stock their land to its potential”.

It is planned to pilot the project in the Owenduff/Nephin SAC area for 2021 and 2022 with payments for both years.  It is to open for all farmers in the Owenduff/Nephin SAC area to submit an Expression of Interest from Monday next until June 14th.

IFA Rural Development Chairman Michael Biggins said all farmers who submit an expression of interest to participate in the project must be included.

Mayo IFA Chairman Jarlath Walsh advised farmers who wished to join the pilot project to familiarise themselves with the terms and conditions.

Details of the new scheme will be published and circulated to hill farmers in the area immediately.

Ends.

May 20, 2021

€4.5m TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY FACILITIES & SPORTS CLUBS

€4.5m TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY FACILITIES & SPORTS CLUBS

Ministers Humphreys and O’Brien announce €4.5 million to improve community facilities and sports clubs

  • Funding to support local groups to re-open their facilities post Covid-19
  • Small grants for repairs and renovations, new equipment and safety upgrades
  • Community Enhancement Programme to focus on disadvantaged areas
  • Clubs to be assisted in purchasing new equipment and sports gear

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, and Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien TD, have recently announced €4.5 million to support community groups and sports clubs impacted by Covid-19.

The 2021 Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) will provide small capital grants designed to assist in the re-opening of facilities such as community centres, men’s and women’s sheds, parish halls and youth centres.

Sports clubs will also be given financial support to purchase equipment and sports gear, as well as to carry out minor upgrades that will benefit its members.

The grants will range from a few hundred euro up to €10,000, however, exceptions will be made depending on the application.

The funding may be used to carry out necessary renovations and repairs or to purchase equipment such as tables and chairs, tools and signage, laptops and printers, lawnmowers, canopies and so on.

The Community Enhancement Programme, which to date has supported over 8,000 projects, places a focus on supporting groups in disadvantaged areas.

The key theme of this year’s programme is supporting groups as they their re-open facilities which have been closed due to Covid-19.

As the grants are relatively small, this programme may appeal to groups that are not eligible for the €10 million Covid Stability Fund, which was launched last week.

Announcing the funding today, Minister Humphreys said:

“This funding is about giving a helping hand to our local groups and sports clubs, which are the lifeblood of our communities.

“As we come out of Covid-19, so many of these organisations will incur specific costs relating to the re-opening of their facilities.

“This could range from purchasing a new set of tables and chairs to repairing a leak in the roof or renovating the kitchen facility.

“Sports clubs will also be supported in terms of purchasing new equipment or sports gear which will improve the experience of their members.

“These grants may be small in nature. But I know they will go a long way in helping thousands of great community organisations and clubs the length and breadth of the country.

“I would encourage all interested groups to get in touch with their Local Community Development Committee that administers the programme in their area.

“Supporting local communities to shape their future is a key focus of the Government’s new rural development policy, Our Rural Future. The funding I am announcing today will benefit every single county and ensure that important small scale, ground-up projects can be delivered by local communities for local communities.”

Also announcing the funding today, Minister O’Brien said:

“The CEP is a really practical support to smaller community groups and facilities that are active at a grassroots level. This past year has, once again, shown the importance of a vibrant Community and Voluntary sector.

“The efforts of local community groups & volunteers throughout the pandemic has been immense and, as we recover from the pandemic, we are conscious that something different is needed for many groups this year, and that is why with the CEP this year there is a focus on grants towards reopening facilities.”

The CEP was launched for the first time in 2018 by the Department of Rural and Community Development.  Between 2018 and the end of 2020 the CEP has funded over 8,000 projects across the country.

The CEP was the result of the first significant exercise in the streamlining of schemes and programmes carried out by the Department of Rural and Community Development. It combined two existing schemes so that funding is now provided to improve facilities in a manner that is more flexible and responsive at a local level.

The CEP provides vital support to community groups in order to help them improve their facilities. It supports small-scale funding for projects which range from purchasing lawnmowers and IT equipment to minor renovations to buildings. Ultimately the Programme responds to local needs and therefore it also provides some funding towards larger projects where needed.

In order to allow flexibility, the Department is not setting a national closing date, but will allow each LCDC to set its own, to best suit its area. The Department will require that all closing dates are no later than 16th July 2021. Groups should check with their LCDC for further details.

ENDS

Contact:

The Department of Rural and Community Development Press Office

076-1006843 / 087-1734633

[email protected]

May 11, 2021

€10m Community Fund Launched

€10m Community Fund Launched

Ministers Humphreys, McGrath and O’Brien launch €10m Community Fund

  • €10 million Covid Stability Fund to support community and voluntary groups, charities and social enterprises
  • Supports for organisations which deliver critical services to the vulnerable
  • Community centres providing social services can also apply for funding
  • Fund to prioritise groups who have not received support since onset of pandemic

Applications have opened for a €10 million fund designed to support community and voluntary groups, charities and social enterprises, which have suffered as a result of the pandemic.

The Covid Stability Fund 2021 was launched jointly today by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath TD, and Minister of State with special responsibility for Charities and Community Development, Joe O’Brien TD.

The Fund is targeted at organisations which deliver critical services to vulnerable people within their community but which now face closure or a loss of service due to the impact of the pandemic.

Priority will be given to organisations that have not previously received State support since the onset of the Pandemic.

Examples of the organisations that can apply include those that provide:

  • Family supports and supports for the elderly
  • Domestic Abuse and addiction services
  • Mental health and disability supports
  • Education supports in disadvantaged communities
  • Community centres that provide social services

The €10 million investment builds on the €45 million Covid Stability Fund 2020, which supported almost 600 organisations across the country.

Announcing the call for applications, Minister Humphreys said:

 “I am really pleased to invite applications for this new €10 million fund today. Our community and voluntary groups, charities and social enterprises deliver vital services right across the country and I want to ensure they receive the support necessary to help them get back on their feet post-Covid.

 “There is a specific focus in this funding call on supporting organisations that have not previously received funding from the State since the onset of the Pandemic.

 “As society reopens, the services provided by so many great organisations across the country will be more important than ever.

 “Along with my colleague Minister Joe O’Brien, I will be making a separate call for applications under the Community Enhancement Programme shortly. This Fund is another option for community groups and may be more suitable for smaller organisations in particular who are seeking financial supports through the form of capital grants to enable them to reopen safely.”

 

Also announcing the Stability Fund today, Minister McGrath said:

“Throughout this pandemic, our voluntary and community groups, charities and social enterprises, have played a critical role.

 “The objective of the Stability fund is to provide an immediate, targeted cash injection that will not have to be repaid.

 “This money will stabilise the position of these organisations by allowing them to meet their immediate costs, usually funded through fundraised/earned-income”

Also speaking today, Minister O’Brien said:

 “I know how important the Covid Stability Fund has been during such a challenging time.

 “As we work towards reopening Irish society, it is critical that organisations supporting our communities are provided with the resources necessary to allow them to continue their vital services particularly to those most marginalised which is why I, along with my colleagues, am very pleased to provide this additional €10 million funding for the scheme.

 “I hope that this coupled with the soon to be announced Community Enhancement Programme funding for smaller community groups, will help ensure that our communities continue to be supported by the immense work of the C&V sector across Ireland.”

 More information about this fund is available on the Pobal website

Separately, the Department intends to launch the 2021 Community Enhancement Programme over the coming days.

That programme may be more relevant to smaller community groups and it is recommended that they monitor the Department’s website or stay in touch with their Local Community Development Committee, who will be administering the programme in their area, for further details.

 ENDS

 Contact:

The Department of Rural and Community Development Press Office

076-1006843 / 087-1734633

[email protected]

May 6, 2021

Our Rural Future: Minister Humphreys Announces €15m Fund to Revitalise Rural Towns & Villages

Our Rural Future: Minister Humphreys Announces €15m Fund to Revitalise Rural Towns & Villages

  • Tackling dereliction a key focus of new enhanced Town and Village Renewal Scheme
  • Funding available to turn vacant buildings in town centres into remote working hubs, enterprise spaces, cultural, tourism and community hubs
  • Scheme encourages Collaborative Projects to upgrade shop fronts and inject street facades with colour and vibrancy  
  • Investment in green spaces in town centres
  • Marketing Campaigns to attract remote workers to rural Ireland
  • Grants from €20,000 to €500,000 available

 The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has this week announced €15 million in funding to help revitalise rural towns and villages post Covid-19.

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is designed to breathe new life into rural communities – making them more attractive places to live, work, socialise and raise a family.

The initiative is a key part of Our Rural Future – the Government’s five year strategy to revitalise rural Ireland.

The measures that will be supported by the 2021 Town and Village Renewal Scheme include:

  • Tackling dereliction in town centres
  • Turning vacant properties into remote working and community spaces
  • Supporting Local Authorities to run innovative marketing campaigns targeted at attracting remote workers to their county.
  • Investing in green spaces, parks and recreational amenities
  • Upgrading and improving shop fronts & streetscapes on Main Streets
  • Projects that support and enhance the night time economy and add vibrancy to town centres

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is administered through the Local Authorities, who are required to work closely with local communities and local businesses to develop and implement proposals.

The previous maximum grant of €200,000 has been increased to €500,000 under this year’s scheme so that projects of scale can be supported.

Launching the Scheme today, Minister Humphreys said:

“As part of the Government ambitious new rural development policy, Our Rural Future, I am determined to make our rural towns and villages vibrant and attractive places to live, work, socialise and raise a family.

“As part of the €15 million Fund I am announcing today, I want to see innovative and exciting projects coming forward that will make a real and lasting difference in our rural towns and villages.

“The focus of this year’s scheme is to renovate derelict and vacant buildings in our town centres and give them a new purpose – whether it is for remote working, cultural or community use. I have increased the maximum grant to €500,000 this year so that projects of scale and ambition can be put forward.

“I also want to see Local Authorities engaging with local businesses and property owners on our main streets and putting forward collaborative projects to upgrade shop fronts and enhance our streetscapes. Support is also available for murals in our town centres, perhaps dedicated to local cultural or sporting personalities and events. This is all about adding colour and vibrancy to our towns and villages making them more attractive places to live, work in and visit.

“Most importantly, I want to seize the momentum around remote working and for that reason, I am supporting Local Authorities to run innovative marketing campaigns highlighting what their area has to offer in terms of remote working facilities as well as cultural and recreational amenities. This is about showcasing our rural towns and villages with the aim of attracting remote workers and the so called ‘digital nomads’ to come and live in rural Ireland.”

Full details of the scheme are available on gov.ie

ENDS

Contact:

The Department of Rural and Community Development Press Office

076-1006843 / 087-1734633

[email protected]

May 5, 2021

OUR RURAL FUTURE: HUMPHREYS ANNOUNCES €5M CONNECTED HUBS FUND

OUR RURAL FUTURE: HUMPHREYS ANNOUNCES €5M CONNECTED HUBS FUND

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has today launched a new five million euro fund to support the development of Ireland’s first national network of remote working hubs.

The Connected Hubs Fund will expand existing hub facilities, providing additional hot desks, office spaces and meeting rooms for remote working.

The funding will be used to install electric car charging points, upgrade disability access and improve IT facilities located within hubs or Broadband Connection Points (BCPs).  And it will also assist in making existing hubs more compliant with social distancing guidelines.

The Connected Hubs Fund will support the key objectives of Our Rural Future – the Government’s ambitious new five year policy for rural Ireland.

Our Rural Future recognises hubs and BCPs as ideal locations for people to work remotely, as well as acting as key economic assets for towns and villages.

This fund is a central part of the Government’s strategy to create a nationwide network of hubs that will be accessible via an online app.

Announcing the call for proposals for funding, Minister Humphreys said:

“Over the past 12 months, so many of us have experienced the benefits of remote working – reduced commutes, more time spent with your family, increased footfall in towns, a lower carbon footprint.

“As we emerge from this Pandemic, the Government is determined to make remote working a permanent reality for thousands of people.

“That’s why Our Rural Future contains a series of commitments ranging from incentives for workers to the redevelopment of old buildings as digital hubs.

“Today’s announcement of a €5 million fund will greatly assist in developing Ireland’s first ever National Hub Network.”

Minister Humphreys added:

“The Connected Hubs Fund will make our existing hubs bigger and more accessible and will result in a better quality experience for business people, workers and students.

“Crucially, this fund is another clear example of how this Government is embracing remote working as we exit this Pandemic. 

“As Minister, I am determined that we do not let the opportunities posed by remote working to slip from our grasp.

“Hubs provide the perfect opportunity for people to embrace ‘blended working’.

“And by encouraging people to avail of a hot-desk or office space in their nearby hub, the local economy also benefits.

“Government is investing significantly in the development of new hubs through schemes like the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

“It’s equally important however that we invest in our many existing hubs, public and private, and ensure they are attractive, fully equipped, modern office spaces for people to work from into the future.”

The National Hub Network Working Group led by the Department of Rural and Community Development has identified over 400 remote working hubs across the country.

Work is currently underway to map and survey the services offered by these hubs. This data will support the development of online services to support hub managers, including a publicly facing booking engine.

The Connected Hubs Call aims to add additional capacity to our current remote working infrastructure.  Funding will be available for both expansion and upgrade of existing facilities through works such as the installation of privacy booths, access control and security systems, the conversion of existing open plan space to modular offices, and provision of enhanced audio visual, network and conferencing facilities. The call will also fund innovative measures to assist hubs to deal with COVID-related challenges.

The Connected Hubs Call is open to applications from all existing hubs and BCPs throughout the Country. This Fund represents a real opportunity to leverage remote working infrastructure to transform how the people of Ireland work and live.

 The Minister concluded:

“The projects funded under this call are a first step in supporting the development of a National Network of high-quality remote working hubs.

“The supports delivered through this network will help build on the fantastic asset Ireland has in its connected working ecosystem. We now have an opportunity to expand our thinking on how these facilities can come together as a community, as an industry and as key infrastructure that can drive regional development.

“I would urge all existing hubs and BCPs to apply and look forward to making further announcements in relation to remote working later in the year.”

ENDS

Contact:

The Department of Rural and Community Development Press Office

076-1006843 / 087-1734633

[email protected]

Notes for editors:

The Connected Hub Call is open to existing remote working hubs and Broadband Connection Points which wish to offer remote working services.

Capital Grants provided will range from €10,000 to €250,000 and will support projects that improve the quality and impact of the service the hub offer such as:

  • Expansion of existing remote working infrastructure.
  • Installation of privacy booths in existing hubs.
  • Installation of access control and security systems.
  • Conversion of existing open plan space to modular offices.
  • Audio Visual upgrade facilities.
  • Building Control Systems.
  • Energy Efficiency Upgrades.
  • Electric Car Charging Points.
  • Disability Access Upgrading
  • Upgrade of meeting rooms.
  • Upgrade of external signage.
  • IT Network upgrades, wiring, access points and a secure control system.
  • Innovative measures to assist existing hubs to deal with COVID-related challenges.
  • Promotion & marketing campaigns to raise awareness of improvements made to drive increased hub usage

April 29, 2021

COMPETITION MUST BE RESTORED TO BANK SECTOR

COMPETITION MUST BE RESTORED TO BANK SECTOR

IFA Countryside Chairman Brian Rushe said IFA has called on the Government to address competition in the banking sector following KBC Group’s announcement to exit the Irish market.

“KBC’s departure is further evidence that the banking sector is dysfunctional and not fit for purpose,” he said.

“This news further erodes the diminished level of competition in the banking sector, given the recent decision by NatWest to wind down its Ulster Bank operations,” he said.

“Effectively, we’re left with three fully-serviced lenders.”

Mr Rushe said that the Government, Central Bank and the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission can no longer stand idly by without taking tangible actions to reintroduce competition to the sector.

“The Government and other stakeholders must look at the issues in the sector from the perspective of borrowers. This ground-up view will enable decision-makers to clearly identify the needs of borrowers and reform the sector accordingly.”

“In the short-term, it must be an immediate priority for the Government to allocate the necessary resources and support to develop full-service community lenders such as Post Offices and Credit Unions as an alternative to our uncompetitive banking sector.”

“Moreover, efforts must be made to attract foreign lenders into the Irish market by reforming the financial crisis-era capital requirements which are driving up the cost of capital for lenders and deterring new entrants,” concluded Rushe.

April 20, 2021

RURAL DEVELOPMENT POLICY MUST BE IMPLEMENTED

RURAL DEVELOPMENT POLICY MUST BE IMPLEMENTED

IFA Countryside Chairman Brian Rushe said the Rural Development Policy announced by the Government today must be implemented.

“Much of what is contained in the report about farming and food is already in train, or refers to commitments that have been made before, but have yet to be implemented,” he said.

“It does acknowledge the central role played by the agri-food sector outside of the main cities. For the sector to maintain its contribution, the Government has to pursue policies that allow it to grow,” he said.

Mr Rushe said the report raises valid aspirations about what’s needed to develop the economy on a regional basis, but it contains initiatives which are re-heated.

“For example, the single biggest barrier to making rural communities more attractive places to live and work is the lack of broadband. Unless this is rectified, it remains very difficult for families in rural areas to function,” he said.

The same applies to other services – roads, transport, banking – which require upgrading if they’re to be fit for purpose.

The IFA President said the recent announcement about the closure of bank branches runs counter to the plan to have vibrant rural communities.

March 30, 2021