Written Answers Nos. 93-112
94. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht when the delayed national hub network strategy is expected to be published; the reason for the delays to its publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55767/25]
View answerOur Rural Future, the Government's Rural Development Policy, recognises the opportunity for rural rejuvenation that remote working presents, and commits to establishing a comprehensive and integrated national network of 400 remote working hubs by the end of 2025.
I am glad to report that significant progress has been made towards this target, and that there are now 394 hubs across the country on-boarded to the Connected Hubs platform. Details of all the onboarded hubs are available on the Connected Hubs website.
The Government's recognition of the benefits of remote working hubs is reinforced in the Programme for Government commitment to expand the remit of these hubs across the country, unlocking new opportunities in rural communities, enabling remote work, e-health, remote learning, enterprise development and digital engagement.
In my time as Minister, a significant amount of progress has been made in the development of the first National Hub Strategy in collaboration with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, including extensive engagement with relevant stakeholders such as hub managers, local authorities, government departments and agencies.
This strategy will present a series of actions to support the future development and sustainability of remote working and enterprise hubs and to increase digital opportunities for local communities across the hub network.
Work is now at an advanced stage, and I expect to receive a draft of the strategy from my officials in the coming weeks. I thus intend to publish this strategy, in conjunction with my colleague the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment in the near future.
95. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the funding has been given to areas in Louth under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55826/25]
View answerThe Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, or the RRDF, is a major capital investment programme that seeks to support large-scale, ambitious projects that can achieve sustainable economic and social development in rural areas.
The Fund is organised on the basis of two categories of funding.
Category 1 relates to larger scale ambitious capital projects with all necessary planning and other consents in place and which are ready to proceed.
Category 2 provides smaller grant funding, typically up to €1m, to enable the development of project proposals suitable for future calls for Category 1 applications.
Last week I confirmed a further round of funding of €20.5 million for 30 Category 2 RRDF projects nationally. This included over €607,000 to Louth County Council for a public realm project in Dunleer town. I am happy to confirm that this project was identified as a priority by the community itself in its Town Centre First Plan.
Including the Dunleer project, over €8.1m has now been allocated to 5 projects across County Louth. Within this, two major Category 1 projects have received funding. The Ardee Castle project received an initial approval in principle allocation of €2.1m, and I was happy to allocate a further €1m to the project earlier this year following the completion of the construction procurement process. I understand that the main building works are due to commence shortly on this project.
The second such project is the €3m Omeath Village Regeneration Project, which I officially opened in July, and which will bring very real social and economic benefits to the area by helping the village to capitalise on the increased visitor numbers along the Great Eastern Greenway and the Narrow Bridge area. This is a great example of how rural communities can leverage the funding available under the RRDF to great effect.
I am committed to ensuring that the range of funding schemes operated by my Department can help to support vibrant rural communities all across the country.
97. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will provide an update on the actions taken under Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors - National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56047/25]
View answer110. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht for an update on the national outdoor recreation strategy, with particular emphasis on the walks scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56038/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 110 together.
Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, the National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023- 2027, was published in November 2022. The strategy was developed in collaboration with Comhairle na Tuaithe, the Countryside Council, and is a collaborative cross-Government, stakeholder-led strategy.
Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors will ensure that there is a joined up and coordinated approach to deliver maximum impact from the significant investment in the sector and to build on the natural advantages in place. Collaboration and stakeholder engagement was critical to the successful development of the strategy, and to its delivery to date.
The implementation of the strategy is being jointly led by my Department and Sport Ireland. Progress in delivering the strategy is being monitored through a strategy oversight group and quarterly meetings of Comhairle na Tuaithe.
The 2nd Progress report which provides an update on all strategy actions due to be delivered up to the end of June 2025 will shortly be published on my Department’s website. There has been good progress reported on most of the actions assigned for delivery up to mid-2025. Indeed, I spoke at the national outdoor recreation conference earlier this year and it was clear from the event that there are great steps being taken across the country to grow the sector for both economic, social and health benefits.
Some of the progress worth highlighting includes the new county structures that are being put in place to support outdoor recreation throughout each county. This includes the establishment of new County Outdoor Recreation Committees and the development of an Outdoor Recreation Plan in each county. These plans will guide the development of outdoor recreation in each county over the next 5 years. My Department is providing funding to support the development of the plans and, so far, 22 counties have commenced work on their plans.
Funding has also been provided for 6 County Outdoor Recreation Officer positions on a pilot basis for 3 years to co-ordinate the development and delivery of the county outdoor recreation plans in the selected counties. The pilot will be evaluated to consider if these positions should be rolled out further.
Other progress worth noting includes the amendments to the Occupiers Liability Act which help to limit the risk to landholders from those accessing land for recreational purposes. These amendments brought in important changes in respect of the duty of care provisions on landholders and included new reference to the voluntary assumption of risk. Comhairle na Tuaithe has developed an information booklet to explain these important reforms to farmers and recreational users.
Another key action in the strategy was the commitment to expand the number of trails on my Department’s Walks Scheme to 150. This is in recognition of the value of outdoor recreation amenities, not just for individual and community wellbeing, but also for the tourism impact these trails have on a local economy.
164 trails have now been approved in principle to join the Scheme, which exceeds the commitment in the strategy. To date, 112 of these trails have been fully brought onto the Scheme with 2,679 participant landowners now signed up. Work is ongoing to bring on the rest of the trails as soon as possible.
This is only a snapshot of some of the progress on the strategy to date. My Department, in conjunction with Sport Ireland will continue to implement the remaining strategy actions to address the challenges and support the opportunities of this exciting and growing sector.
98. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht when the next meeting is scheduled between his Department, the Department of Health and representatives of Women’s Sheds regarding the development of a national governing body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55997/25]
View answerI am committed to providing any support I can for the development of a national governing body for Women’s Sheds to ensure that individual Women’s Sheds can benefit from having a strong national representative body to advocate on their behalf. I am pleased that my colleague, Minister Jennifer Murnane O'Connor, shares my view.
To this end a number of meetings have taken place between representatives of women's sheds and officials from my department and from the Department of Health.
The most recent meeting took place just last week on Monday 6th October where discussions took place with the representatives of the Women's Sheds of Ireland to progress their work with the facilitator provided to them by both Departments.
The next steps will be for the representatives and the facilitator to develop a work plan as they determine what support might be needed as they move towards the development of a national governing body. These meetings will be ongoing in the coming months.
A specific date for the next meeting with department officials has not been confirmed, however both departments will continue to keep in touch with the process and further meetings will be scheduled in the coming months as required.
99. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will provide an update on the implementation of the town and village renewal scheme; the way in which the impact of this scheme is being measured in terms of community wellbeing and economic activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54981/25]
View answerThe Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) was introduced in 2016 and has to date allocated almost €184 million to over 1,800 projects nationally. It is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. The scheme, which sees local authorities work with communities throughout the country, primarily targets funding at rural towns and villages with populations of less than 10,000 people.
My Department continually engages with local authorities to ensure the Town and Village Renewal Scheme is having the intended impact in communities. This has included engagement with requesting input from local authorities and Town Regeneration Officers on what worked well in previous iterations of TVRS and also how the scheme might be improved.
TVRS priorities are reviewed and updated at the end of each scheme year and in advance of each call for proposals. This also ensures that funding is targeted effectively and can respond to changing needs and opportunities. For example, the 2025 scheme, launched in March, placed a renewed focus on town centre economic activity and sustainable job creation.
All applications are assessed as part of a competitive process From the outset, each call for proposals includes detailed scheme criteria and themes and then outlines the evaluation process that will be used in the assessment applications. This helps inform local authorities frame their applications ensure they achieve the policy objective of the call. Funding under the scheme is awarded based on suitability against the published scheme criteria and objectives, the quality of the proposed project, the readiness of the project to commence and the level of funding available to the Department.
Finally, as part of the funding drawdown processes the local authority must submit a report to the Department following completion of every project. This requires that local authorities reflect on the project outcomes and impact delivery.
100. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if his attention has been drawn to the absence of updated language planning guidelines; and the timeline for the publication of the draft Gaeltacht planning guidelines. [55823/25]
View answerMy department has published Language Planning Guidelines which provide guidance to practitioners preparing and implemented language plans in Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas, Gaeltacht Service Towns and Irish Language Networks in line with the provisions of the Gaeltacht Act 2012. The latest edition of the guidelines, the fifth edition, was published in 2019. These guidelines include details regarding a range of additional supports made available to the language planning process in the areas of early years, the family and the traditional arts, in addition to guidance relating to the preparation and implementation of language plans.
My department has opted not to publish updated Language Planning Guidelines as it has been awaiting the publication of an independent review of the first 10 language plans approved under the Gaeltacht Act 2012. Feedback will be provided in this review on the implementation of the plans concerned and, based on what is identified in the review, steps will then be taken by my department to improve the implementation of the language planning process.
Work on this report is nearing completion and my department expects to be in a position to publish same soon. The information obtained from this review will then inform the next edition of the guidelines to be published.
As it relates to physical planning in the Gaeltacht, it is worth noting that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, under the Planning and Development Act 2024, is primarily responsible for planning and housing in Gaeltacht areas.
In order to improve the effectiveness of the planning legislation, work is being undertaken by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, in consultation with my department, towards developing new planning guidelines for the Gaeltacht. Priority is now being given to this work with a view to publishing the new guidelines in the months ahead.
101. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht when the Community Centre Investment Fund will be open to applications; and if funding for new builds is being considered such as in the Community Centres Investment Fund 2023-New Builds Measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55737/25]
View answerThe Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF) has provided some €110 million since 2022 for the enhancement and refurbishment of existing community centres and the construction of new centres.
I am committed to delivering further iterations of the scheme in the coming years in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government for this to become a permanent rolling fund. A decision in relation to the timing of further iterations and the measures to be included will be made in the context of the management of ongoing commitments under the fund. This will also include a decision as to the extent to which the scheme focuses on refurbishment of existing centres or the development of new ones.
My Department also supports community facilities with enhancement works through a range of other funding streams including through the CLÁR programme, LEADER and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. I would encourage organisations to check my Department’s website for information on funding opportunities and announcements.
102. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if CLÁR funding is available from Budget 2026 to be allocated to meals-on-wheels providers outside of designated areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55410/25]
View answerThe main source of funding for Meals on Wheels providers is through the HSE and I would encourage any meals on wheels provider to engage with the HSE locally to explore potential funding options.
My Department also recognises the importance of Meals on Wheels in rural areas and has provided supports to Meals on Wheels groups through measure 2 of the CLÁR programme.
In order to be eligible for funding for a vehicle under CLÁR, an applicant must demonstrate that over 80% of the area in which the service is provided is designated as a CLÁR area.
The Programme for Government makes a commitment to carry out a comprehensive review of the eligibility criteria of CLÁR. The contents of the review are currently being considered. It is my intention that any changes to flow from the review, including in terms of the areas to be designated for CLÁR, will be implemented before the next iteration of the scheme is launched next year.
In addition to CLÁR, a range of community focused facilities are funded under schemes administered by my Department. This includes the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Community Centre Investment Fund, the Local Enhancement Programme and LEADER. I am aware that these facilities can, in many instances, be used by Meals on Wheels groups in delivering their very valuable services in the communities.
103. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he is aware of the urgency in allocating funding to the Gaeltacht through Scéim na mBóithre Áise; when funding will be made available; the amount of funding that will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55941/25]
View answerThe current Programme for Government includes a commitment to the re-establishment of Scéim na mBóithre Áise. Discussion is underway in my Department to decide the best approach to implementing this commitment going forward.
In the meantime, funding is available under the Department's Local Improvement Scheme to assist local authorities with improvement work on non-public roads and roads which are not normally publicly maintained. In addition, I announced in August that further funding of €5.8m was being provided under this scheme to counties with Gaeltacht areas for upgrade works on country roads and lanes.
104. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the specific measures in Budget 2026 will support the building of houses in Gaeltacht areas; when he will publish the Guidelines for Gaeltacht Housing; and if he will consider establishing a dedicated Housing Unit in Údarás na Gaeltachta; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55560/25]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the specific Budget 2026 measures aimed at supporting the provision of housing across the state, including the provision of housing in Gaeltacht areas comes under the remit of The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
It should be noted, however, that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has done considerable work in conjunction with my Department to develop Gaeltacht Planning Guidelines. It is understood that this work is now being accelerated and that the guidelines will be published by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in the coming months.
I would add that it is local authorities who can implement planning and development policies that will best respond to the issue of housing provision in Gaeltacht areas. At a meeting earlier this year with local authority managers, I recommended that relevant local authorities integrate the specific needs of the Gaeltacht into County Development Plans, and consult with Údarás na Gaeltachta on this matter to ensure that any housing policy to be implemented is appropriate to address housing provision in the Gaeltacht.
Údarás na Gaeltachta will, accordingly, have a secondary role in the provision of housing in the Gaeltacht, as the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Local Authorities have primary responsibility in this regard. Accordingly, the matter of establishing a dedicated housing unit within the organisation does not arise.
The Údarás na Gaeltachta (Amendment) Bill, 2024 passed Committee Stage in Dáil Éireann before the summer recess. The main purpose of this Bill is to reintroduce elections to the board of Údarás na Gaeltachta. However, in order to support the provision of housing in Gaeltacht areas, the Bill contains a provision to allow an tÚdarás dispose of lands held by the organisation to either an approved housing body or a housing authority for the purpose of providing housing in the Gaeltacht.
It is my understanding that Údarás na Gaeltachta has identified sites that may be suitable for housing development within Gaeltacht areas. The sites in question are located close to other housing developments or community services. Údarás na Gaeltachta has indicated that it now intends to engage with key stakeholders regarding the development of these sites, as well as working with relevant partners to address various challenges regarding the general provision and availability of housing in Gaeltacht areas.
In addition, I understand that an tÚdarás has made housing capital grants available to community development organisations in the Gaeltacht who receive an annual administration grant from the organisation. A 10% capital grant is available up to a maximum of €300,000 for community development organisations, enabling them to develop small, language-based housing projects. I also understand that an tÚdarás has recently appointed consultants to progress the organisation's strategy on the matter of housing in Gaeltacht areas.
105. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will provide an update on progress in relation to updating the North South funding structure for Foras na Gaeilge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55559/25]
View answerThe North-South Language Body, comprising Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency, is co-funded by my Department on behalf of the Government of Ireland, and by the Department for Communities on behalf of the Northern Ireland Executive.
The Government of Ireland provides 75% of the Foras na Gaeilge budget annually, with the remaining 25% coming from the Northern Ireland Executive, in accordance with the funding ratios agreed when the North-South Language Body was established.
Budgets for the North South Institutions, including An Foras Teanga, are approved by the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC). I chaired a meeting of the NSMC Language Body Sector in April, at which the 2025 Business Plans and budgets for Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency were agreed.
I also met with the respective Cathaoirleach and CEO of each agency at that meeting, having previously met with Foras na Gaeilge earlier this year specifically to discuss the funding challenges facing the organisation.
The agreed funding for 2025 includes a once-off payment of €630,000 from the Irish Government to Foras na Gaeilge in respect of historic pension costs, which has enabled Foras na Gaeilge to reverse cuts it announced earlier this year.
Preparations for the next corporate planning period for 2026-2028 are currently underway, including reviewing a range of governance and procedural matters, including the treatment of pensions costs within the agencies.
The Irish Government has provided increased current funding of €2 million in Budget 2026 for North-South co-operation on a number of fronts, including the work of Foras na Gaeilge, the Ulster-Scots Agency and Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge.
Officials in both the sponsoring Departments and the finance Departments North and South are working closely together and with colleagues in both Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency to prepare 2026 business plans, including dealing with the current funding challenges and working towards longer term resolutions.
The Irish Government is committed to examining all options in order find a resolution to the funding issues of Foras na Gaeilge, both in the short term and the longer term, having regard to the agreed funding ratios and recognising the different budgetary positions of each Government North and South.
106. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht when the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund will re-open for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56026/25]
View answer109. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht when another round of category 1 funding for the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund will be announced; the criteria that will apply; the measures in place, to ensure a fair distribution of funds; the date on which applications will open and close; if projects which were previously unsuccessful will be allowed re-submit, such as the Dunshaughlin courthouse and town centre project in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54275/25]
View answer132. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if any revision of the eligibility criteria for the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund is being considered to ensure more towns can apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55736/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 106, 109 and 132 together.
Administered by my Department, The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) is a major capital programme that supports the revitalisation of rural Ireland. It supports large-scale, ambitious projects that can achieve sustainable economic and social development in towns, villages and outlying areas with a population of under 10,000 people.
The RRDF forms just one part of a wider suite of funding streams within my Department's Rural Development Investment Programme which are aimed at supporting rural communities. Last week I announced a further €20.5 million in RRDF funding for 30 Category 2 projects across rural Ireland. Details of these projects can be found on the Department’s website.
Calls for RRDF applications are sought under two categories;
• Category 1 relates to larger scale ambitious capital projects with all necessary planning and other consents in place and which are ready to proceed.
• Category 2 provides smaller grant funding to enable the development of project proposals suitable for future calls for Category 1 applications.
RRDF applications are assessed on a competitive basis and against transparent criteria. Each call for proposals details the objective of the call and the eligibility criteria applying to project applications. This information, together with the scoring system upon which the assessment process will be undertaken, is made widely available at the outset of each call. Examples of previous criteria under which applications have been assessed include the proposed project’s social and economic impact, regenerative potential, financial sustainability, policy coherence and climate action measures.
Whilst RRDF applications are assessed on a competitive basis, the geographic spread of current RRDF projects demonstrates countrywide coverage across all RRDF projects approved to date. Details and locations of these projects can be found on the Department’s website.
Subject to the prevailing scheme parameters and eligibility criteria, a project which may not have been deemed successful following an application and assessment process, may be submitted in a subsequent call for proposals.
I can confirm my intention to launch a further call for proposals for larger scale Category 1 RRDF projects before the end of the year. The scheme parameters and eligibility criteria that will apply under this call will be made available as they are finalised and an application window will be open for a number of months to facilitate the development of high quality applications.
The Programme for Government has committed to increase the RRDF fund I will ensure that the RRDF can continue to support high quality and transformational projects across rural Ireland in line with the objectives of Our Rural Future and the Town Centre First policy.
107. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the measures being taken to ensure a fair and balanced distribution of funding across rural counties, particularly in Galway east, under upcoming allocations for the LEADER, CLÁR, and town and village renewal schemes; if priority will be afforded to rural communities experiencing infrastructure deficits, depopulation, and planning constraints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55757/25]
View answerMy Department ensures a fair and equitable distribution via a range of schemes which are targeted based on need and reviewed before each launch to ensure that they continue to respond to evolving needs.
The CLÁR Programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of depopulation over a defined period. This is targeted at smaller rural settlements that have experienced depopulation in the past. It is a matter for each local authority to accept and prioritise applications under measure 1 for community infrastructure and amenities based on their own assessment of need locally.
Since 2020, over €53 million has been approved for almost 1,300 projects nationwide under the CLÁR programme with over €4 million of this being allocated for 93 projects in County Galway.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) was introduced in 2016 and has to date allocated almost €184 million to over 1,800 projects nationally. Almost €7 million has been allocated to 74 projects in County Galway and supported projects can be found in east Galway towns such as Athenry, Ballinasloe, Gort and Portumna. Details of all projects approved can be found on my department’s website.
Delivered in partnership with local authorities, it primarily targets funding at areas with populations of less than 10,000 people. All applications received under the scheme are assessed competitively for suitability against the scheme criteria and objectives. Factors such as the geographical spread of projects are also considered to maximise this funding’s impact.
The current LEADER Programme, which runs to 2027, is operational across the country. It supports a broad range of enterprises and community groups to develop projects which improve the quality of life and economic activity in rural areas. It is delivered through Local Action Groups (LAGs) across rural Ireland, facilitating a community-led, bottom-up approach to rural development. Under the current 2023-2027 LEADER Programme, Galway has an allocation of €9 million, almost €5.5 million of which is allocated to Galway East.
To ensure a fair and balanced allocation of LEADER funding across rural areas, the allocation methodology included a baseline amount to each sub-regional area, with additional funding based on population density and level of deprivation of the area.
I will continue to keep the focus of all my department's schemes under review to ensure the continued efficient and effective use of available resources.
108. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht for a list of projects in Kildare allocated funding by his Department in each of the past three years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55828/25]
View answerMy Department is committed to supporting thriving communities across the country through a range of funding initiatives. Over the past three years, my Department has allocated around €25 million in funding to County Kildare.
My Department’s funding programmes have delivered significant capital investment in County Kildare, for example;
• Last Friday I was delighted to be in Athy to perform the official opening of the refurbished Shackleton Museum. It received over €5.2 million in funding under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. The Museum is in the 300-year-old former Town Hall overlooking Emily Square. This building housed the Athy Heritage Centre, which has been extended and modernised to become the only museum dedicated to one of the world’s greatest polar explorers, Ernest Shackleton. The Museum showcases the most prominent collection of Shackleton memorabilia in the world.
• Under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, €198,000 was allocated for the purchase of a serviced site in the centre of Calverstown Village for future development of a community space.
• €100,000 was allocated under the Community Centres Investment Fund for refurbishment works at Caragh GFC Community Hall, Prosperous.
• Over €155,000 was allocated under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme for accessibility works at Grand Canal Ballyteague.
These and similar investments across the country are having a hugely positive impact on our towns, villages and rural communities. Details of the thousands of funding allocations my Department has provided each year, across the country, including County Kildare, are available on my Department’s website, in tabular form at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development-and-the-gaeltacht/collections/funding-allocated-by-the-department/
111. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the funding allocation for rural development schemes under his Department for Budget 2026 and Budget 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55409/25]
View answerMy Department’s budget allocation for 2026 totals €611 million, with €273 million in capital funding and €338 million in current funding. This represents a 6% increase on the 2025 allocation, and builds on strong investment in recent years.
€192.2 million will be provided for rural development in 2026, €160.7 million capital and €31.5 million in current funding. The comparative allocation in 2025 was €196.7 million, with the change reflecting the stage in the programme cycle of the LEADER programme; funding increases elsewhere in the rural programme and other areas.
The detailed allocations for each area will be published in the Revised Estimate Volume in early December. I expect to again provide a €60 million for projects under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. There will be a provision of €32 million for the LEADER programme in 2026, down from €42 million originally in REV 2025. There is a €250 million allocation for the LEADER 2021 to 2027 Programme, with the 2026 funding level reflecting the stage of the programme cycle.
The capital funding provided in the Budget will also allow increased funding for the following schemes in 2026:
• Town and Village Renewal Scheme: €21 million, €1 million increase on 2025.
• Local Improvement Scheme: €17 million, €2 million increase.
• CLÁR: €12 million, €1 million increase.
• Outdoor Recreation and Infrastructure Scheme: €17 million, €1 million increase.
Current funding has increased slightly from €31.3 million to €31.5 million, and this will provide ongoing support for initiatives such as the Walks Scheme; Tidy Towns competition, Agriculture Shows, and Connected Hubs, as well as funding for the Western Development Commission.
I would also note that the schemes funded under the Community Development Programme benefit both rural and urban communities, for example, the Community Centres Investment Fund (CCIF) is assisting rural communities throughout the country. The CCIF funding will be increased by €3 million in 2026, bringing investment to €20 million. Increased funding for projects within the Gaeltacht and Islands programme will also benefit those rural communities.
112. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the funding provided under Budget 2026 for the town centres first policy; if this is additional funding; and the number of additional towns this will allow to come under the model. [55305/25]
View answer134. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if implementation update reports will be published on the success of the Town Centres First model Phase 1. [55304/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 134 together.
Launched in 2022, the Town Centre First (TCF) Policy is a major cross-government policy that aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres. The policy supports the Our Rural Future vision for a thriving rural Ireland which is integral to our national economic, social, cultural and environmental wellbeing and development. The Budget 2026 allocation for dedicated costs associated with the Town Centre First policy is in line with the 2025 funding allocation at €3.62 million. The annual TCF budget has funded 26 Town Regeneration Officers nationally who are based in local authorities and work with Town Teams. It has also supported the establishment of over 100 Town Teams including the development of Town Centre First Plans. Town Regeneration Officers work closely across multi-disciplinary technical teams such as Capital Delivery Teams, Vacant Homes Officers, Broadband Officers, Night-Time Economy Officers to build linkages with Town Teams and other stakeholders.
As can be seen from the 33 actions contained within the policy, the significance of TCF is that it provides an integrated policy approach for the development of Irish towns rather than being a single dedicated funding line in and of itself. Instead, the TCF approach is underpinned by a range of capital funding streams across Government. These include, for example, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund and the THRIVE scheme.
It is important to stress that, subject to the standard eligibility criteria, Departmental and wider Government capital schemes can be accessed to support towns and villages nationally irrespective of whether those towns and villages have formal Town Centre First Plans or Town Teams in place.
Town Centre First has been developed in conjunction with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Falling within the parameters of this policy, I would also refer to the publication ‘Bringing Back Homes’ which details over 20 incentives, funded measures and grants to support a reversal of vacancy and dereliction. Some of the main supports available and provided by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage include the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant under the Croí Conaithe initiative, the Repair and Leasing Scheme, the Buy and Renew Scheme, and the Living City Initiative.
The Local Government Management Agency has established a ‘National Town Centre First Office’ to assist in the policy delivery and implementation of TCF actions. This office produces annual implementation plans and progress reports. It is also responsible for stakeholder engagement and co-ordination at a national level. Details of the various reports and resources made available by the National Office are available on its Town Centre First website.
The National Office has confirmed that an informal review of the methodologies used to develop Phase 1 Town Centre First plans was undertaken. This initial review identified good practice, gaps or omissions in the completion of the Phase 1 Town Centre First plans. To date, a considerable number of projects prioritised in Phase 1 Town Centre First plans have been successful in securing capital funding through the various available Departmental schemes. With this in mind, the National Office has confirmed that a further review Phase 1 Town Centre First plans is will be undertaken by the National TCF Office to include details of progress made by each town subsequent to the development of their plan.
Government remains committed to the success of the Town Centre First policy and will continue to work closely with local authorities to deliver on the goal of revitalising rural towns and villages.
