Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 October 2025
121. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if consideration will be given to providing additional funding for community and voluntary organisations to assist with running costs given currently the grant schemes that exist are for capital works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55308/25]
View answerI am aware of the challenges facing community groups in relation to running costs.
Since 2018 the Local Enhancement Programme (formerly known as the Community Enhancement Programme) has provided funding for community and voluntary groups. Although mostly capital in nature, a number of the iterations over the years included a current element of funding. The Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) 2025 included €1 million in current funding to provide support and assistance to community and voluntary groups around the country towards their utility bills, rental/lease costs, insurance costs etc.
The Community Services Programme (CSP) provides an annual co-funding contribution towards each full-time equivalent (FTE) position being supported through a social enterprise model, and, where warranted, a contribution towards the cost of employing a manager. This must be co-funded by the organisations concerned from other sources, for example, from income generated from the use of facilities and services provided. While no further calls for proposals for CSP are anticipated at this time, my department can hold contact details on file should the programme open for new applicants in the near future. Contact details for a nominated person can be provided to the email address csp@drcdg.gov.ie. It should be noted that any additional new entrants will be considered in light of available budgets.
At present, I do not have any plans to introduce additional funding supports for community and voluntary organisations to assist with regular running costs. I would, however, encourage all community and voluntary organisations to check my Department’s website www.gov.ie/drcdg, and to engage with their Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), Local Development Companies and Public Participation Networks (PPN), to ensure they are aware of all existing funding opportunities.
