Dara Calleary
Mayo · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“Agriculture is the backbone. We have all been in the Mansion House today, or everyone has said they were anyway. Energy security is key and crucial. Everybody wants energy security but nobody wants wind energy. We have to strike a balance and get a real discussion, but food security is most important.”
“While we have gaps there, we are addressing them. The Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, has announced the minor injury units, which will take the pressure off major hospitals and ensure services are available.”
“Recent figures from the CSO show that there is a 5.8% increase in the number of people living in rural areas between 2016 and 2022. In areas classified as highly rural and remote, the increase was 6.4%.”
“Enterprise Ireland is investing in Irish-owned, Irish-founded companies. Similarly, 59% of IDA investments were located outside the Dublin region. We will continue to work, looking at the progress we can make through the IDA, Enterprise Ireland and, as Senator O'Loughlin said, through supporting our local enterprise offices.”
“That is something we do daily and they are used where is necessary. The plan will be supported by ambitious, clear, practical and measurable actions. I have spoken to some of the funding programmes available within my Department.”
“Táim tar éis cuairt a thabhairt ar gach ceantar Gaeltachta chun plé fairsing a dhéanamh leis na pobail sin chun a fháil amach uathu féin cén cineál tacaíochta ar féidir a chur ar fáil dóibh chun cabhrú leo. Táim chun leanúint ar aghaidh leis an obair sin sa bhuiséad le teacht agus na buiséid eile.”
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“I reiterate that we are backing that confidence. We are backing the confidence in rural communities and the confidence that is led by volunteers and are working with organisations, local authorities, development agencies and local development companies in terms of doing that. I can assure the Deputy the LEADER programme is fully funded and will deliver. We do have a challenge and I think I have been very straight in discussing it. We are working on the challenge regarding the next round of LEADER funding. As CAP negotiations are finalised this year, we are working hard. The Minister of State and I are working with colleagues to ensure CAP will be funded in the next EU funding programme. That presents a major challenge but it is one we are up for and are seeking to deliver on right across the country.”
“The provision for the Gaeltacht and the islands is up 30% year on year from €123 million to €160 million. We discussed community centre investment earlier. That is communities with confidence in their community centres. That is going to €20 million and this year we will see the opening of new centres across the country. Funding for the community services programme, CSP, programme has gone to nearly €60 million delivering services, including community services. I see confidence and we are investing in and supporting that confidence. We are investing in ensuring that confidence makes a difference on the ground.”
“I am going to disagree with the Deputy. We have been agreeing all morning. I see a great and growing sense of confidence as I travel across rural Ireland. I am visiting projects across rural Ireland that are volunteer-led and community-led. They are funded by my Department in partnership with local action groups, LEADER companies and local authorities. They are projects that reflect ambition and a plan. We are in a position to fund that. My Department's funding has increased by 7% for this year. We are ensuring that rural communities will see increased investment and funding increases in other areas. I assure the Deputy the LEADER programme will deliver its full allocated funding and I can see already the level of claims is increasing as LEADER groups are implementing the programme.”
“This is ensuring additional funding for programmes such as the community centre investment fund, the social inclusion and community activation programme and the community services programme. These schemes, particularly with the increase in these schemes, will benefit both rural and urban communities. The increased funding will be spread across not just urban areas but many rural areas too.”
“Within the Revised Estimate for 2026, the rural development programme allocation of €193 million compares to a 2025 allocation of just under €197 million. This specifically reflects the fact that the provision for the LEADER programme is reduced from €42 million in 2025 to €32 million in 2026. This is an estimate based on the stage the programme is at, and the resultant level of claims that local action groups expect to make this year. I ask the Deputy to note that the full €250 million allocation for the LEADER 2021 to 2027 programme will be provided over the programme period, with funding to be ramped up as demand increases. Finally, as I noted at the outset, I emphasise that the Department's allocation has increased by 7% for 2026.”
“My Department manages its funding allocations across three programme areas: rural development, community development, agus an Gaeltacht agus na n-oileáin. For 2026, my Department's overall budget allocation is €613 million, with around €273 million in capital funding and €340 million in current funding. This represents a 7% increase on the 2025 allocation and builds on strong investment in the past number of years. The funding provision for the rural development programme has increased significantly in recent years. When the Department was established in 2017, the programme allocation for rural development was €80 million. For 2026, it is almost €193 million. That investment is having a huge impact right across the country.”
“Following today's session, we will ask our officials to work with officials in the Department of tourism in this space and work with the various festivals to identify if support is available. It will not be available in 2026 as festivals get to that planning phase. Insurance is a major challenge. The insurance industry has not delivered on the reforms that this Government and previous Governments have brought in.”
“I agree. Insurance costs in this country continue to be a massive challenge, particularly for festivals, but also for businesses, including small businesses. I was a Minister of State in the previous Government in the Department of enterprise, which led on this work. It is a matter of enormous frustration and anger to me that all of the work that we have done has not resulted in insurance deductions for small businesses, festivals, homeowners or car owners. Insurance continues to be a challenge for festivals and for local voluntary groups. We work with the Department of agriculture, for instance, which provides funding for insurance for shows. Insurance is a major challenge. We will definitely zero in on it.”
“The local enhancement programme, LEP, process, which in the Deputy's case is open via Meath County Council, is a good example of a relatively less cumbersome process. We constantly keep it under review. Supports are available for festivals through Fáilte Ireland, the Department of tourism and local authorities. The model that we have with the Irish Shows Association, which had its annual general meeting in November in Trim, coincidentally, is a good model, in which we fund a national organisation, which, in turn, funds 130 local organisations.”
“I agree with the Deputy about the importance of festivals. I put on the record my thanks and that of the Minister of State to the volunteers who put them together. I am always struck that the volunteers who pull this festival together are the ones who make the least out of it. They are not involved in any of the hospitality businesses that do well. They do it together because there is massive community spirit. I assure the Deputy it is something we have looked at. Other supports are available through LEADER. The LEADER process is cumbersome because it involves EU funding, but both the Minister of State and I constantly ask our officials to ensure that the application process for any of our schemes is the least cumbersome possible, bearing in mind that volunteers are doing this.”
“This €7 million is broken down on a local authority by local authority basis into small capital grants. Some festivals require generators and other items. Finally, as the Deputy will be aware, we fund agricultural shows through a €1 million investment into 130 shows that we deliver through the Irish Shows Association across the country. For many communities, the agricultural show is a fantastic statement of their pride, not just in their area but in the agriculture industry that underpins their area.”
“In order for a project to be eligible for LEADER, funding of the proposed activity must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved LEADER local development strategy and it must comply with the EU regulations and operating rules. As the Deputy knows, the programme is administered by local action groups. Prospective applicants or applicants organising festivals should, in the first instance, contact the local action group which, in this case, is the Meath local action group. The local enhancement programme supports small capital grants to community and voluntary groups to improve facilities or purchase equipment. In some cases, this will help to support groups that run local festivals. The 2026 programme is now open until the end of February. It will provide €7 million in capital supports nationally.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as ucht an eolais faoi gach uile féile i gContae na Mí. I do not think he forgot any of them. The positive impact of festivals is very much recognised by my Department, both in building local pride and boosting local economies. While we do not have a scheme specifically for community festivals, there may be avenues to support available under LEADER or the local enhancement programme, which is currently open for applications. LEADER has been operating successfully in Ireland for 35 years. In line with the programme for Government, LEADER has a strong focus on rural tourism and funding has been made available under LEADER for festivals and local tourism initiatives. For example, the Deputy will be aware that the Samhain Festival of Food and Culture in Kells was supported by LEADER funding in 2024.”
“Tá mé ag oibriú go dlúth leis an Aire tithíochta faoi seo i gcomhthéacs na ndúshlán tithíochta le haghaidh na tíre ar fad ach tá sé thar a bheith tábhachtach an dúshlán atá roimh mhuintir na Gaeltachta agus clann na Gaeltachta maidir le tithíocht a thuiscint chomh maith.”
“Tá an t-uafás oibre le déanamh air seo. Tá sé in am tógáil, ach tá muid ag déanamh na hoibre. Ba bhreá liom go ndéanfaí athrú níos tapúla, ach tá muid ag déanamh na hoibre agus tá muid ag tabhairt na gcéimeanna go gcaithfidh muid a thabhairt ag an bpointe seo. Tá mé fós ag coinneáil brú agus ag déanamh na hoibre. Beidh mé i gcruinniú le príomhfheidhmeannach an údaráis amárach agus oibreoidh mé leis. Tá muid chun labhairt le hUisce Éireann agus na húdaráis áitiúla freisin. Mar a luaigh an Teachta, tá sé thar a bheith tábhachtach go dtuigeann daoine go bhfuil ról le haghaidh na Roinne tithíochta anseo.”
“Ní bhaineann an dúshlán seo le Roinn na Gaeltachta amháin; is dúshlán é do Roinn na tithíochta freisin. Tá muinín agam go bhfuil sí ag leagan amach na ndeiseanna chun an dúshlán mór seo a réiteach.”
“Bhí cruinniú iontach agam le príomhfheidhmeannach an údaráis agus phléigh muid na sites go léir atá aige. B’fhéidir go mbeidh muid in ann iad a réiteach le haghaidh tithíochta agus gach duine a fháil ar na tograí sin sa Ghaeltacht. Pléifidh muid é sin. Is maith an tuairim í go mbeidh duine ó na húdaráis áitiúla i láthair freisin. Tá mé ag obair leis an Aire tithíochta, an Teachta Browne, chun go mbeidh muid in ann an ráiteas tithíochta Gaeltachta a fhoilsiú chomh luath agus is féidir. Tá mé fós ag oibriú air sin. Bhí cruinniú agam le príomhfheidhmeannaigh na n-údarás áitiúla a bhfuil ceantar Gaeltachta acu ina limistéir agus beidh cruinniú eile agam leo. Tá mé ag díriú isteach ar an ndúshlán seo. Tá sé tábhachtach dom. Caithfidh mé oibriú leis an Aire tithíochta, an Teachta Browne, freisin.”
“Bhí cruinniú agam le príomhfheidhmeannach an údaráis chun é seo a phlé agus tuigim ón chruinniú sin go bhfuil plé ar bun leis na húdaráis áitiúla agus an deis ann oibriú le hUisce Éireann chun tairbhe a bhaint as an mbonneagar reatha sin. Tá mé ag cur cruinnithe le chéile idir an údarás agus Uisce Éireann chun na deiseanna seo a phlé. Cé go bhfuil ganntanas cóiríochta cónaithe sa Ghaeltacht, tá ceann de na rátaí folúntais is airde sa tír le feiceáil inti freisin. Chun dul i ngleic leis seo, tá comhordaitheoir tiomnaithe tithe folmha Gaeltachta ceaptha le déanaí, i gcomhpháirtíocht le húdaráis áitiúla agus maoinithe ag an údarás, chun cabhrú le pobail aghaidh a thabhairt ar shaincheisteanna folúntais agus rochtain ar dheontais éagsúla de chuid an Stáit a éascú.”
“Is fiú a thabhairt faoi deara, mar sin, gur ról tánaisteach a bheidh ag Údarás na Gaeltachta ag oibriú leis na geallsealbhóirí cuí maidir le tacú le soláthar tithíochta sa Ghaeltacht. Tá punann suntasach réadmhaoine ar fud na Gaeltachta á bhainistiú ag Údarás na Gaeltachta agus tá bonneagar fuíolluisce ar láithreacha éagsúla mar chuid de sin. Mar a leagtar amach i bplean tithíochta an Rialtais, tá deiseanna ann don údarás comhoibriú le húdaráis áitiúla ábhartha chun leas a bhaint as an mbonneagar atá ann cheana féin trí chur chuige straitéiseach plean-bhunaithe ar mhaithe le freastal ar riachtanais tithíochta i bpobail na Gaeltachta.”
“Aontaím go mór leis an Teachta agus gabhaim buíochas leis as ucht na ceiste faoin tábhacht a bhaineann le tithíocht sa Ghaeltacht. Níor mhiste a nótáil go mbaineann saincheisteanna tithíochta leis an Roinn Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta. É sin ráite, is é príomhchuspóir Údarás na Gaeltachta ná a chinntiú go mairfidh an Ghaeilge mar phríomhtheanga an phobail i gceantair Ghaeltachta agus go gcaomhnófar í do na glúnta atá le teacht. Chuige sin, cuireann an t-údarás maoiniú ar fáil do raon leathan tionscnamh forbartha, fiontraíochta agus fostaíochta. Tacaíonn an eagraíocht chomh maith le gníomhaíochtaí straitéiseacha a bhaineann le forbairt teanga, cultúir agus pobail.”
“It is my intention to publish actions and publish the lead Department, and to have a system of driving that from within our Department. I assure the Deputy we have the support of the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, in terms of leaders in government to drive this on to ensure it is ambitious. We will engage with all Government agencies. Local authorities also have a responsibility here. We will drive them but they also have to be driven by their own internal members as well.”
“I absolutely assure the Deputy this will be led from the highest level. There is a commitment in the programme for Government that this be a whole-of-government approach. The Taoiseach, Tánaiste and the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, have directed all our ministerial colleagues to engage in this. If studs have to go on, they will go on but I do not think they will have to because there is genuine interest in ensuring the success of this programme. Fáiltímid roimh an bplean gníomhaíochta do sheirbhísí poiblí. Bhí moladh ann do gach Roinn agus bhí an Roinn in aice le gach moladh. When we published the service plan last week, it included an action and a Department that owned the action. I have set up within Roinn na Gaeltachta a unit to drive that within Our Rural Future.”
“As I said earlier as Gaeilge, I absolutely agree with him on the need for childcare and preschool facilities for those who are collocated, in particular. It is not just for Gaeilgeoirí, although especially for them, but for young families to have those facilities. We have also invested significantly in hubs to give people the opportunity to work from rural areas and in high-tech secure areas. That will allow them to do that. There are a range of issues, but my current timeline is that we will have Our Rural Future published ahead of the summer.”
“The process of developing a new Our Rural Future is going on in tandem with the other process, which is the OECD review of rural development policy in Ireland. We will publish that review shortly. I am intent on having the new Our Rural Future published ahead of the summer. Housing has been one of the major inputs in terms of submissions. As I said in reply to Deputy Smith, we are engaging with an Roinn tithíochta, the Department of housing, on rural planning guidelines. It is essential we give opportunities for younger people and younger families to relocate and move back, in line with the opportunities that have happened in terms of infrastructure, such as broadband, and community facilities.”
“To give the Deputy an idea of the level of engagement, an online survey in March 2025 attracted almost 1,300 responses, over 500 people attended eight in-person events led by the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, and at the end of that consultation period referred to, we had over 250 responses we are currently going through and analysing. As I said, we are engaging with Departments. I also attended and participated in a rural youth assembly in September 2025. As I said to Deputy Smith, we have engaged with a range of sporting and other organisations in one-on-one meetings to discuss their concerns.”
“It will contain commitments that reflect our continued ambition for rural areas that will make them an attractive prospect for people to work in and especially to live in. Informed by the extensive public and stakeholder engagement already undertaken, a consultation paper setting out the key proposed themes and priorities was published for a public consultation, which closed on 12 December last. Engagement with all relevant Departments is ongoing to secure ambitious commitments for delivery under the new plan that will build not just on the success of Our Rural Future but on other plans. That engagement is consistent with ensuring that Government priorities in key areas, such as housing, will help to secure a more sustainable and resilient future for our rural communities.”
“Since its launch in 2021, Our Rural Future has delivered vital investment and supports to rural areas that have strengthened local economies and improved the quality of life for people across rural Ireland. Measures already completed support many of the high-level issues the Deputy referred to, not just today but in his submission, including high-speed broadband, support for rural enterprise, increased rural transport services and ongoing support for many sectors, including agrifood. The programme for Government commitment to publish and implement a new Our Rural Future strategy is currently being finalised. The new policy will build not just on the progress already achieved but will set out a renewed vision for the whole-of-government approach to rural development for the years ahead.”
“We are in the final stages of negotiation; there is a question later on the level of engagement with that process, which has been significant. The challenges identified by Deputy Smith, and known to the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach, are real, not just in Cavan and Monaghan, but right across rural counties. We will seek to address those.”
“I assure the Deputy that the Department, including the Minister of State and I, and our officials, are currently engaging with our colleagues across government on what their responsibilities are in relation to the next stage of Our Rural Future. Rural affairs are not just for the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht. It is an all-of-government approach, which is very much what Our Rural Future is about. I reiterate my thanks to the GAA. Its demographics committee and demographics officers are an example. After the Minister of State and I met with the GAA, we certainly engaged with other sporting organisations with a challenge to them to give us similar reports and data. Many of them responded to that challenge. It is my intention that we will publish the next iteration of Our Rural Future ahead of the summer.”
“The Deputy and I have had discussions on the rural housing guidelines, the updating of which is necessary to encourage young families back into rural communities. I noted his comment about the pressure on clubs on the Meath border in Cavan. It did not seem to affect Meath at the weekend, but we will look at that.”
“All of us will agree that without volunteers we would not have any society, particularly the GAA, but any organisation. I always take the opportunity to ask those who give out about volunteers what they would do on a Saturday if they had no GAA, no drama, no rugby, soccer, swimming or anything to go to and if their kids did not have those outlets. They are run by volunteers. The Minister of State and I are focused on the challenge outlined by the demographics committee that we met in terms of the disparities within counties. I also raise the pressures within urban communities in our cities to get playing facilities within the city of Dublin, where the population is there but the facilities are not keeping up. In terms of Our Rural Future, we will seek to try to address that. Some of our discussion earlier was on housing.”
“As the Deputy will be aware, we are currently revising Our Rural Future, and the process of developing this is well advanced. My Department undertook an extensive range of consultation to help shape the new policy. Many of the issues relating to attracting and retaining young people and their families in rural areas featured strong. The GAA has engaged proactively in the most recent call for written submissions. All such submissions received will feed into the development of the new policy. We will continue to engage with our Departments and other key stakeholders, including the GAA, ahead of the publication of the next iteration of Our Rural Future, which will address many of the challenges outlined by the GAA demographics committee.”
“Our Rural Future adopts a whole-of-government approach, which will contain a wide range of measures aimed at ensuring that all rural areas are attractive for people to live, learn, work and raise families. Actions delivered under the current policy have delivered improvements in broadband provision, increased rural transport services, support for rural enterprise and ongoing support for the agrifood sector. My own Department has seen significant funding increases in recent years across a range of capital investment schemes such as the rural regeneration and development fund, the town and village renewal scheme and the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme. This investment is delivering real impacts in rural communities all across the country.”
“I thank the Deputy for his question. I am aware of the recent report of the GAA national demographics committee, and the presentation it made. The Deputy drew my attention to it some weeks back. The Minister of State and I engaged directly with the GAA on this issue. We met the national demographics committee last September in relation to its work and the report. We acknowledge the challenges for the GAA, but also for the communities that they serve that the report outlines, and the importance of their clubs as focal points for communities all across the country. We are aware the GAA is committed to working within rural and rural communities and at national level. I thank not just the national demographics committee, but in particular the county demographics officers around the country.”
“Mar a dúirt mé leis an Teachta Hearne, tá an infheistíocht seo thar a bheith tábhachtach chun rud bunúsach a chur ar fáil do mhuintir na Gaeltachta ionas go bhfuil an deis acu ní hamháin tithe a fháil ach scoileanna, oideachas, cúrsaí cultúir agus ealaíon a fháil sa Ghaeltacht agus ceiliúradh a dhéanamh air sin sa Ghaeltacht agus lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht.”
“Beidh mé lánsásta na tograí tábhachtacha sin sna naíonraí a phlé faoi na scéimeanna tacaíochta Gaeilge. Má chuireann an Teachta ríomhphost chugam, beimid in ann é sin a dhéanamh. Tá sé thar a bheith tábhachtach go bhfuil an infheistíocht seo ag dul go dtí na naíonraí. Tá infheistíocht bhreise le dul isteach i mbliana go dtí na naíonraí agus go dtí an obair atá á dhéanamh ag tuismitheoirí na Gaeilge. Mar gheall go bhfuil an t-airgead is mó sa Roinn againn le blianta, beimid in ann infheistíocht a dhéanamh sna naíonraí, sna scoileanna agus i gcúrsaí óige freisin. Beidh mé ag déanamh togra mór amárach faoi ionad óige mór faoi phlean caipitil na Roinne.”
“B'fhéidir go mbeidh meascán airgid agus infheistíochta ann. Aontaím go mór leis an Teachta faoin turas Gaeilge. Má thosaíonn sé ag aois óg, mairfidh sé don saol.”
“Aontaím go mór leis an Teachta. Tá sé tábhachtach. Nuair a thosaíonn an turas Gaeilge ag aois óg cosúil leis sin, bíonn turas iontach ag an bpáiste on réamhscoil go dtí an bhunscoil, an mheánscoil agus an coláiste. Is iontach an rud é sin. Mar a dúirt mé, tá an t-airgead agus na scéimeanna ann. B'fhéidir go mbeidh plé againn maidir leis an dá scoil sin. Beimid in ann tacaíocht a thabhairt dóibh, go háirithe agus iad díreach in aice leis an mbunscoil. Is é an rud is fearr do thuismitheoirí go mbeadh an naíonra agus an bunscoil san áit céanna agus an Ghaeilge in úsáid sa dá háit. Táim sásta an dá scoil sin a phlé leis an Teachta agus obair a dhéanamh ionas go mbeimid in ann dul ar aghaidh. B'fhéidir go mbeimid in ann obair a dhéanamh leis an Aire, an Teachta Foley, freisin, faoin scéim Building Blocks.”
“Moltar dóibh siúd atá ag smaoineamh ar iarratas a dhéanamh teagmháil a dhéanamh leis an rannóg cuí i mo Roinn chun maoiniú féideartha a phlé sula gcuirtear aon iarratas foirmiúil isteach. Is féidir teacht ar bhileog eolais don dá scéim agus ar shonraí maidir leis an bpróiseas iarratais ar shuíomh Idirlíne mo Roinne. Má tá an Teachta ag iarraidh an t-eolas sin, seolfaidh mé chuige go díreach é. Maidir leis an Roinn leanaí, tá an clár Building Blocks ann ó thaobh cúrsaí chaipitil freisin.”
“Faoi na scéimeanna tacaíochta Gaeilge, cuirtear maoiniú ar fáil do choistí pobalbhunaithe a fheidhmíonn trí Ghaeilge lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht chun cabhrú leis na costais a bhaineann le hionaid Ghaeilge a thógáil nó a athchóiriú. Áirítear naíonraí agus seirbhísí luathblianta mar ábhar iarratais inghlactha faoi na scéimeanna seo. Cuirtear tacaíochtaí sa bhreis ar fáil do thograí luathblianta sa mhéid is gur féidir maoiniú suas le 95% de chostais inghlactha a fháil do sheirbhísí luathblianta pobalbhunaithe atá ag feidhmiú trí mheán na Gaeilge. Is féidir costais chaipitil chomh maith le costais ghairmiúla a bhaineann le comhairleoirí a fhostú a áireamh sna deontais seo.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as ucht na ceiste tábhachtaí seo. Tá maoiniú ar fáil faoin gclár tacaíochtaí pobail agus teanga agus faoin gclár scéimeanna tacaíochta Gaeilge de chuid na Roinne chun tacú le tograí caipitil laistigh agus lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht. Is é cuspóir an chúnaimh chaipitil a chuirtear ar fáil faoi na scéimeanna seo an Ghaeilge a neartú mar theanga pobail agus teaghlaigh i gcomhréir le cuspóirí an straitéis 20 bliain don Ghaeilge. Faoin gclár tacaíochta pobail agus teanga, cuirtear cúnamh caipitil ar fáil do choistí agus eagraíochtaí Gaeltachta chun áiseanna pobail agus teanga a thógáil nó a uasgrádú.”
“The infrastructure is being put in place and we will make announcements in that regard in the coming days. However, unless there are people living in Gaeltacht areas, putting down roots and taking part in the community, that infrastructure will be for naught. I assure the House that this issue is a priority. It is not all in my control. I am working with the Minister, Deputy Browne, and with an t-údarás. We will work with the local authorities. Collectively, we can arrive at a solution.”
“We are working with an t-údarás and, in particular, with the local authorities in the Gaeltacht areas, which are the planning authorities, to identify every possible opportunity and solution. The information will come through from the Gaeltacht vacant homes officer, the work of the local authority chief executives and the work of an údarás at both príomhfheidhmeannach level and board level. I want to ensure we bring all that work together, working with the Minister, Deputy Browne, to deliver on this major challenge. We want people not just speaking the language but using and celebrating it and getting involved in community organisations. The next question, from Deputy Conor D. McGuinness, concerning support for early childhood care centres, is central to that.”
“That will allow us to start working with an t-údarás and Irish Water on a collaborative basis to address those deficiencies and then work with an t-údarás to develop the sites for housing purposes. I have also had meetings with the Minister, Deputy Browne, to ensure we get early publication of a housing statement for Gaeltacht areas focusing specifically on the challenges we all agree are there. We are very focused on that and I would love to get a quick result. We now have a pathway to some progress in this area.”
“I do not disagree with the Deputy's analysis in terms of rental properties and vacancies. We must work on this in a strategic way. I have met with the príomhfheidhmeannaigh of the local authorities in Gaeltacht areas on two occasions and will meet them again before the end of this month to discuss how we can work together. The appointment by an t-údarás of a vacant homes officer with a specific focus on Gaeltacht area is an important development. Following my meeting with the príomhfheidhmeannach of an t-údarás, we are beginning to identify where the sites are and whether an t-údarás has plans for those sites. In particular, I want to gain an understanding of the deficiencies in those sites in terms of infrastructure, especially wastewater infrastructure.”
“On that basis, the return of the grant schemes that were available under the Housing (Gaeltacht) Acts is not currently under consideration.”
“Although there is a challenge in terms of the scarcity of living accommodation in Gaeltacht areas, they also have one of the highest vacancy rates in the country. To that end, a dedicated vacant Gaeltacht homes co-ordinator was recently appointed in partnership with local authorities with Gaeltachtaí in their area, funded by an t-údarás, to aid communities in addressing issues of vacancy, facilitate access to various State grants and provide us with information on vacancy. Since my Department's schemes under the Housing (Gaeltacht) Acts were changed some years ago, the Government has established a number of new schemes under which far more generous grants are available than those available under the previous schemes.”
“An t-údarás maintains a significant property portfolio across the Gaeltacht and wastewater infrastructure at various sites is part of that. As laid out in the Government housing plan, there are opportunities for an t-údarás to co-operate with relevant authorities to avail of that existing infrastructure through a strategic, plan-based approach, in order to fulfil the housing needs in Gaeltacht communities. I have had meetings with the príomhfheidhmeannach of Údarás na Gaeltachta and it is my understanding that the organisation is having discussions with local authorities. I have also asked it to engage with Uisce Éireann to avail of current infrastructure and identify where that very necessary infrastructure is missing. I will continue to have further engagement with an t-údarás in this regard.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Hearne as an gceist. It should be noted that housing issues pertain to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The primary objective of Údarás na Gaeltachta is to ensure the Irish language endures as the main community language in Gaeltacht areas and is preserved for future generations. To that end, an t-údarás provides funding for a wide range of enterprise and employment development initiatives. The organisation also supports strategic actions relating to linguistic, cultural and community development. It is worth noting that Údarás na Gaeltachta will have a role, albeit a secondary one, in working with relevant stakeholders to support housing supply in the Gaeltacht.”
“Táimid beagnach réidh lena lán leasaithe a thabhairt chun tosaigh le haghaidh Bhille an údaráis. Tá leasú air seo mar cheann de na leasaithe sin. Tá mé ag plé an Bhille leis an bPríomh-Aoire chun é a thabhairt chun deiridh agus os comhair na Dála chomh luath agus is féidir. Beidh leasú ann faoin ndúshlán seo. Tá sé tábhachtach freisin go leanfaimid ar aghaidh leis an obair ar na caighdeáin agus go bhfuil muid in ann na dréacht-chaighdeáin a phlé. Táimid dírithe ar an obair sin - ní hamháin na leasaithe - freisin. Beidh na leasaithe ag teacht os comhair na Dála agus an tSeanaid chomh luath agus is féidir nuair atá deis agam iad a phlé leis an bPríomh-Aoire.”