I thank the Deputy. I refer to some useful points from the budget, particularly in regard to the Department of Justice. A funding package will be provided to extend legal aid for victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. Expenditure on victim supports for people who have suffered domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is also set to increase by €5 million, bringing total funding to €13 million, inclusive of €1 million to improve Garda divisional protective services units. These units are now operat…

I thank the Deputy for his question. The emergence of the women's sheds groups in recent years has been a positive development for communities throughout the country. My Department supports sheds through many funding programmes that are open to a variety of groups and organisations. These include the community enhancement programme, CEP, the social inclusion and community activation programme, SICAP, and the LEADER transitional programme. In 2019, my Department established a ring-fenced fund of €500,000 for men's a…

In response to the previous question, I cannot give the Deputy an estimate on that. We run the programme every year, at the very least. I fully agree that women's sheds should have parity of esteem. I visited an excellent women's shed in Wexford recently. The sheds make a great contribution in giving people an opportunity to come together, which is particularly important in rural communities where such opportunities, especially during Covid, are limited. I fully agree with the Deputy's point on parity of esteem. I …

I thank Deputy Canney for the invitation and I take the other Deputies' points as well. We support the national men's sheds organisation through the scheme to support national organisations, SSNO, and applications for that will be opening either late this year or early next year. That is just a point of information that may be useful. On the question of sustainability, and I recall Deputy Kerrane's previous contribution on this, having a number of funding opportunities that are locally based and connected to the lo…

I thank the Deputy for the question. My Department has a number of schemes that local groups can avail of to support the establishment of community centres. Funding may be available through the LEADER transitional programme, which is delivered through local action groups, LAGs, in each of the 28 LEADER subregional areas around the country. Interested applicants should, in the first instance, contact the relevant LAG through its implementing partner to discuss the eligibility of the project and the funding that may …

I can certainly identify with the issues outlined by the Deputy. The CEP is probably one of the most relevant in terms of the need he outlined in terms of his constituency and recent grants provided. Sandyford Community Centre recently was given a €4,500 grant for an energy efficiency upgrade. Kilcross Resource Centre received up to €5,000 for a replacement fire alarm system. Furry Hill Community Centre received €8,000 for the upgrade of building maintenance and repairs. Patrician Community Centre was allocated €10…

We do not have that detail yet but it will be forthcoming in due course. I acknowledge Deputy Richmond's points as well. I can certainly identify because we have the same issue in Balbriggan, Skerries, Rush and Lusk. Regarding housing estates that are growing and coming on stream, there is a responsibility on local authorities in granting planning permissions to have community centres as part of a new development. That was not always done. It is improving in that regard but it is certainly a key responsibility in t…

I want to confirm this evening that under the increased allocation to the community development programme of my Department, I will be in a position to improve a key funding mechanism for the community and voluntary sector in Ireland. A scheme to support national organisations is one of the main multi-annual funding mechanisms that Government uses to support the community and voluntary sector. A new and improved iteration of the scheme will begin next year and we hope to open applications before the end of this year…

I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 26 together. As the Deputy is aware, the CE scheme is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in meaningful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed-term basis to improve their prospect of returning to employment. There are graduated and more flexible rules for persons aged over 55 and, then again, for those over 62 on CE. Participants over the age of 62…

I thank the Deputy for her question. Currently, there are 1,400 service support stream participants on CE schemes. There are 500 places available for people over the age of 62 on the schemes. Up to 10% of CE placements are available under the service support stream. That limit is set on a divisional basis so there is also flexibility between schemes in a particular area. This is important to note. For those aged over 55 there are more flexible conditions regarding the time spent on the community employment scheme. …

We very much value the community employment schemes, not only for what they provide for the individual involved but very much for the community services also. In recognition of this, the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, and I will be involved in an operational forum with sponsors and other stakeholders from throughout the country. We will hear issues such as those outlined by the Deputy. This is the reality on the ground and we recognise it. We have introduced flexibility. It is also important to state that while initia…

This will allow community employment schemes a little bit more time to fill the places. The good news is that in recent weeks, referrals are ramping up. We should be looking at a better situation on the ground for CE schemes over the coming months.

I apologise that I do not have written copies of my reply, but it should on the way. I apologise for supplying the answer as Béarla.-----

I apologise that I do not have it at the moment. I will carry on-----

Should I proceed or wait?

I will proceed. Sustainability of communities on the islands is a fundamental objective of the Government, as set out in its Our Rural Future: Rural Development Policy 2021-2025. Inherent in the support for sustainability is the requirement for the provision of safe access to the islands for ferry passengers, fishermen and women and other recreational users of the harbours. As the Deputy will be aware, the relevant local authorities are responsible authorities for maintenance and development of infrastructure on th…

I acknowledge and reiterate that this issue is very high on the agenda of the Minister. We do talk about it and she is aware of the urgency to move on this project. I acknowledge as well the long history of this issue and how long it has been going on for, as outlined by Deputy Ó Cuív. Funding has been needed for some time. The Deputy has been a long-time advocate in this regard and he has raised this matter many times. I wish I could give him tighter and clearer timelines. The tender is being prepared. The best I …

I understand what the Deputy is looking for, but I cannot provide the clarity and certainty he is seeking this morning.

I wish I could give that certainty.

I acknowledge the risks the Deputy has outlined concerning the situation on the piers. I will bring back this matter to the Minister and we will endeavour to get more detail for the Deputy. I apologise that I cannot give a more precise timeline for the start of the tendering process this morning.