84. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will outline the future funding plans for the community recognition fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55894/25]
Sentiment score: 0.01
The community recognition fund has been used by Louth County Council and many others for very worthwhile projects, including in relation to the return of old council land to parkland. I know a number of projects did not get through the gap, and I would like to think they will have an opportunity in the future.
Sentiment score: 0.54
The emphasis has to be on the delivery of projects because there is not much point in having very good applications but not seeing the outworkings. The Minister visited a number of the play parks and pieces of work that have been done, which were well enough steered by Louth County Council. It is great to see that level of improvement. We are talking about parks that have been incredibly well done. The community recognition fund was a very good vehicle, and it filled a gap that was necessary to fill from the point of view of the enhancement of community facilities. However, we need to ensure there will be funding streams, for example, with regard to the community gardens at Muirhevnamore and other projects. They need to have the facility to apply and they need to have a good chance of getting the necessary funding. These are very good projects that are operated by people who are putting in a huge level of volunteerism and engaging with the local authority and others on delivery.
Sentiment score: 0.53
I would agree. The preference has to be to put in place infrastructure that can be used in the future. I think we would all agree on that. At the same time, there may have been some projects that were beneficial from a community point of view that had made applications, and I would make an argument about their long-term continuity. I know the St. Patrick’s Day parade had looked for what was probably a small enough offering, with the idea of getting materials that would have been used over multiple years. Again, we are talking about something that had huge engagement and support from all the other stakeholders within the community sector and all the agencies. The project I spoke about specifically was the community gardens in Muirhevnamore. This needs to be looked at. I ask the Minister to provide details in this regard. I agree that this is about delivery of what has already been applied for but it is also about ensuring that communities have the facilities. The community recognition fund filled a necessary hole. There was a need for it. We need to make sure that these community facilities will still have the option in the future. If the Minister could come back with detailed written information, I would be grateful.
Sentiment score: 0.21
90. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the funding available for primary school children to attend the Gaeltacht; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55893/25]
Sentiment score: 0.01
Tá muid ag caint faoi chúrsaí Gaeltachta. Bhí fadhb ann roimhe seo idir an Roinn oideachais agus Roinn na Gaeltachta. Bhí imní ar na príomhoidí, na múinteoirí agus na páistí nach mbeadh siad in ann freastal ar chúrsaí sna Gaeltachtaí. Déantar é seo le blianta anuas i gColáiste Bhríde i Rann na Feirste. Téann páistí ó scoileanna i nDún Dealgan ann. Bhí fadhb ann. Is dócha nach bhfuil an fhadhb ann fós, ach táim ag iarraidh é sin a fháil amach agus a chinntiú go bhfuil an t-airgead ansin chun é seo a dhéanamh.
Sentiment score: -0.08
Níl fadhb agam leis sin.
Sentiment score: -0.56
I appreciate the Minister's answer. I heard about this particular issue from a number of schools throughout Dundalk and then from those who organise some of the courses. My father always had a connection with Coláiste Bhríde in Rann na Feirste, which has had a huge Dundalk connection since an tAthair Ó Muirí set it up many years ago. There was a fear that there had been a misunderstanding between the Department of the Gaeltacht and the Department of education. I was sending correspondence and being bounced from one Department to another. Luckily, the walls did not fall in and the courses went ahead, but I want to make sure we do not have that problem again. I think there was a technicality in relation to a review process, which is absolutely necessary. We all need due diligence and so on done. However, it was a case of something that probably had not been done, and then there was a question mark as to why it had not been. Unfortunately, it was going to impact students and those running the courses but, obviously, the students are the people I was most worried about.
Sentiment score: 0.03
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as sin. Tharla na cúrsaí seo. Sin an rud is tábhachtaí. Sílim go bhfuil siad ag caint lena chéile agus leis an dá Roinn faoin am seo. Caithfimid a bheith cinnte nach mbeidh an fhadhb ann ag deireadh na bliana nó a leithéid. As regards this problem that arose, I get it in relation to governance and so on. I do not think the courses had a particular issue with those running them around whatever level of governance. It was just that somebody suddenly asked if any of those inspections had happened. It became an over-and-back and then nobody wanted to take responsibility. As I said, it was sorted. I will send the Minister more detail in relation to it. It is just a check-up that basically everything is happening and that we do not end up at the end of the year with imní ar pháistí, ar na múinteoirí agus ar gach aon duine eile maidir leis.
Sentiment score: -0.13
Fadhb ar bith.
Sentiment score: 0.00