Question Time: Agriculture and Rural Development Tuesday 26 May 2015
Agriculture
Minister, Michelle O’Neill, discussed the recently launched Rural
Micro Grants Scheme during today’s Question
Time. The scheme will allow rural, community-led, voluntary organisations
the opportunity to apply for small grants (£200-£1500) to purchase equipment or
for minor capital works to contribute to the alleviation of poverty and/or
social inclusion. The deadline for applications closed last Friday (22 May
2015). 450 applications have been received and the screening process will begin
immediately with the intention of notifying successful applicants by July. An
initial £200,000 has been set aside for the scheme which should benefit around
150 rural community organisations. The Minister enthused that, “The new
programme represents an excellent opportunity for community groups to build on
their existing roles, strengthening community engagement and improving the
lives of those living in rural areas.”
Mrs O’Neill
also revealed the latest developments on the move of DARD headquarters
to Ballykelly, County Derry/Londonderry. The planning application for the new
HQ was submitted to Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council in April 2015.
This includes plans for the new building and the new road required to access
the building. The full business case should be completed by November 2015 with
the intention of awarding a construction contract the next month, with building
to begin in May 2016. Temporary accommodation will be located in the North West
to facilitate the transition from the current HQ in the Stormont Estate,
Belfast, while continuing to provide the same high level of service. The move
is part of the Minister’s commitment to a better distribution of public-sector
jobs adding, “These jobs moving to the north-west is a major win for
construction in the north-west, the ongoing servicing of the building and a
fairer distribution of public-sector jobs”.
The Minister
also addressed questions on bovine viral diarrhoea, the voluntary exit scheme,
forest certification and the rural development programme. A topical question
period followed the period for listed questions, in which Mrs O’Neill also
answered queries on rural broadband provision, basic payment top-ups for young
farmers, sheep labelling, rural crime and slurry safety measures.
No comments: