Written Answers Nos. 548-555
548. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the delivery of the actions under Our Rural Future, relevant to rural towns and villages; and to outline which commitments remain outstanding and the way in which his Department plans to accelerate progress in areas facing depopulation, weak public transport links, and declining local services. [68540/25]
View answerOur Rural Future contains more than 170 commitments and implementation is monitored through a series of Progress Reports, published twice-yearly, which provide detailed updates on actions outlined in annual Work Programmes for delivery across Government.
Progress Reports are published on my department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development-and-the-gaeltacht/collections/our-rural-future-annual-work-programmes-and-progress-reports/
The consistent high level of completion rates across the first four years of the policy shows the continued commitment by government to support rural communities. Where an action was not completed or has been delayed, detailed reasons are outlined in the published reports.
The final progress report, detailing progress on the actions in the 2025 Work Programme, is scheduled to be published in early 2026.
Meanwhile, work is ongoing on development of a successor policy to build on the success of Our Rural Future in delivering vital investment and supports, strengthening local economies and improving quality of life across rural Ireland.
An extensive process of consultation has already been put in place which has already gathered the views of stakeholders and communities across the country on what matters most for rural Ireland and its people.
This consultation commenced in March with an online public survey, followed by a series of eight stakeholder and public events across the country and online. The Rural Youth Assembly was consulted in September, ensuring that the voices of young people are fully considered in the policy development process.
Bilateral meetings with key stakeholders, representative groups, and public bodies have also taken place.
Informed by the extensive engagement already undertaken, and building on the progress already achieved, a consultation document setting out the proposed key themes and priorities for the new policy was published on 17 November. Written submissions are invited until 12 December.
Drafting of the new policy will reflect the feedback gathered from all elements of the consultation process.
Engagement with Departments is also well underway with respect to securing ambitious commitments for delivery under the new plan as we continue our whole-of-Government approach to this next phase of Ireland’s rural development policy.
The policy is also being informed by an OECD Review of Ireland’s rural policy framework which will be published in the new year.
Government is committed to building on the success of the current policy as we seek to secure a more sustainable and resilient future for our rural communities.
549. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the steps he is taking to strengthen the capacity of the Charities Regulator, in particular to support smaller volunteer-led charities and community groups who are struggling with governance and compliance obligations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68541/25]
View answerThe Charities Regulator was established in October 2014 pursuant to the Charities Act 2009. It is the statutory body responsible for registering and regulating all of Ireland’s charities, with the mandate to promote good governance practice.
While the Charities Regulator is under the aegis of my department, it is fully independent in the performance of its statutory functions.
In its 2025-2027 Statement of Strategy, the Charities Regulator acknowledges the diversity within the charitable sector with some charities employing thousands of staff and others being entirely volunteer-run. In its strategy, the Charities Regulator recognises that its approach must be proportionate and appropriate to the size and capacity of the charities it is dealing with, while still upholding and respecting the laws that govern charities in Ireland.
The Charities (Amendment) Act 2024 revised and updated previously existing charity legislation and, when fully commenced, will improve the ability of the Charities Regulator to conduct its statutory functions. This will provide greater transparency, clarity and fairness in terms of the regulation of charities, leading to greater public trust and confidence in the sector. This transparency will also help smaller, volunteer-led charities as their responsibilities and obligations, and those of their trustees, will be clearer.
The Charities Regulator frequently provides information through webinars, guidance documents and templates for trustees and organisations to ensure they are fulfilling their duties and obligations. The regulator provides an FAQ document and training videos to assist charities to comply with the Charities Governance Code. The Charities Regulator also provides sample codes of conduct for volunteers and employees working with charities.
550. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht regarding the future of LEADER funding, if his Department has considered any alternative or complementary funding models to ensure the continued delivery of community-led local development initiatives beyond the current LEADER programme period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62211/25]
View answerLEADER is a long standing and effective EU programme that delivers tangible benefits to rural communities in areas such as economic development and job creation, rural infrastructure, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability. Therefore, the development of EU regulations relating to the post 2027 Common Agricultural Policy, or CAP, and the new National and Regional Partnership Plans is a matter of significant importance to my Department.
Within the draft regulations, the inclusion of the LEADER programme as a CAP intervention is to be welcomed. As part of the on-going negotiation process, my Department continues to emphasise the importance of a ringfenced allocation for the LEADER Programme.
I note that detailed discussions in relation to the shape and operation of the new regulations are on-going at both national and EU levels. To facilitate the current negotiation process for the post 2027 period, the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine has established a CAP Consultative Committee, which includes representation from my Department.
Separate to that engagement, I will also continue to work with MEPs and my Government colleagues to ensure that the LEADER programme is funded into the future.
In addition, I note that my Department funds many other community related initiatives and rural investment schemes. For example, under the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme funding is provided to Local Development Companies to complete work to tackle poverty and social exclusion. Similarly, the range of schemes included in my department's Rural Development Investment Programme have seen unprecedented levels of investment in recent years. These and other programmes are making a real difference, and I am committed to ensuring that my department continues to implement a range of schemes and supports which directly benefit communities all across the country.
551. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the supports available for a community garden; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68620/25]
View answerMy Department recognises the importance of community spaces including community gardens. Funding for such facilities may be eligible under a number of funding programmes administered by my Department.
The CLÁR programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas, including for the development of community facilities and amenities such as community gardens. I hope to launch the 2026 programme early in the new year.
Funding for community gardens may also be available through the LEADER programme. Details of all the funding opportunities available through my Department can be found on my Departments website.
552. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the reason a group (details supplied) did not receive funding through the CLÁR Programme recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68654/25]
View answerThe CLÁR programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas. The 2025 CLÁR programme had an application process across 3 measures.
Measure 1 provides funding for community facilities and amenities and accounts for the majority of the funding under the programme. Measure 2 provides funding for vehicles to support the transport of people with reduced mobility, community first responders and meals on wheels organisations. Measure 3 is targeted at our island communities.
Last week I announced funding of almost €12 million for 198 projects under Measure 1 in addition to €356,000 for 8 island projects under Measure 3. This included funding of €465,369 for 9 Measure 1 projects in Tipperary. This was in addition to funding for two projects under Measure 2 in Tipperary earlier this year. This brought the total CLÁR funding allocated to Tipperary this year to €576,751.
Under the terms of the scheme, Tipperary County Council was entitled to submit a list of 15 applications under Measure 1 to my department. These lists of applications are submitted to my department in a prioritised order which is decided at local authority level.
The application from the group referenced by the Deputy was submitted to my department for consideration for funding. However, given the level of funding available and the interest in the programme, not all projects were funded. This application was not sufficiently high on the priority list submitted by the local authority to be allocated funding.
This year was the highest level of funding awarded under CLÁR since it was relaunched in 2016.
Notwithstanding that, I understand that some groups will be disappointed. I would advise such groups that the scheme will be launched again in the new year and that there are also a range of other funding opportunities available from my Department. Details of these schemes are on my Department’s website.
553. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the status of the development of Céibh an Chóra and an Caladh Mór on Inis Meáin; the timeline for the delivery of the projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68658/25]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, Galway County Council is responsible for the maintenance and development of the piers on the Aran Islands, including Inis Meáin.
In December 2024, my Department granted funding and approval to Galway County Council to proceed with the appointment of consulting engineers to develop the Preliminary Business Case, including a Strategic Assessment, for Options for Marine Infrastructure Improvement on Inis Meáin.
At the most recent meeting with officials from my Department in November, Galway County Council advised that the consultant engineers are continuing their work on the Strategic Assessment, and are currently analysing the long list of options in respect of both piers. Each of these models and options needs to be tested and assessed to find the best solution for improving the marine infrastructure on Inis Meáin, including that used by passenger and freight ferry services.
I am advised that there was a high level of engagement from the island community with the stakeholder consultation process conducted on Inis Meáin earlier this year, and the feedback gathered during this process has informed the long list of options being developed.
The current process to develop the Preliminary Business Case, including Strategic Assessment, is due to be completed in 2026.
554. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the amount of funding his Department has allocated to drug addiction prevention initiatives in 2024, and to date in 2025. [68686/25]
View answerMy Department's mission is to promote rural and community development and to support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland.
The key role of my Department in tackling drug use is in providing funding for supports to be delivered to communities and individuals experiencing poverty, deprivation and marginalization. My Department provides funding across an array of projects and initiatives to enhance inclusion and tackle deprivation across the country. Examples of initiatives to tackle deprivation funded by my Department include the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), the Community Development Pilot Programme, the Empowering Communities Programme and the North East Inner City Initiative.
CityWide Drugs Crisis Campaign is a national network of community activists and community organisations that are involved in responding to Ireland's drugs crisis. Set up in 1995 by the Inner City Organisations Network (ICON), to bring together Dublin communities that were struggling with the heroin crisis, they now work nationally linking communities across the country dealing with a range of substance issues.
Previously funded by the Department of Health, Citywide have been funded by my Department since 2023. Annual funding for the project is €209,180.
Citywide’s work takes a strong community development focus, consistent with the Department’s objectives and complimentary to other community initiatives such as SICAP and the Empowering Communities Programme.
Additionally, my Department officials will continue to assist with the important work of the Department of Health and the successor to the National Drugs Strategy into the future.
555. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the reason a Clár application by a club in County Kerry was unsuccessful (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68889/25]
View answerThe CLÁR programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas. The 2025 CLÁR programme had an application process across 3 measures.
Measure 1 provides funding for community facilities and amenities and accounts for the majority of the funding under the programme. Measure 2 provides funding for vehicles to support the transport of people with reduced mobility, community first responders and meals on wheels organisations. Measure 3 is targeted at our island communities.
Last week I announced funding of almost €12 million for 198 projects under Measure 1 in addition to €356,000 for 8 island projects under Measure 3. This included funding of almost €700,000 for 10 Measure 1 projects in Kerry.
Across all Measures, this brought the total CLÁR funding in Kerry this year to over €911,000.
Under Measure 1, local authorities seek applications from local community groups in designated CLÁR areas within their county. They then assess all the applications received in order to prioritise those applications which they submit to my department as a request for CLÁR funding.
Each local authority is entitled to submit a list of 15 applications under Measure 1 to my department. An additional application was invited this year from local authorities such as Kerry with off shore island communities. These lists of applications are submitted to my department in a prioritised order which is decided at local authority level.
My department then assess the applications submitted by the local authorities by reference to scheme eligibility requirements and the total amount of funding available. On foot of this process, Kerry was allocated funding for 10 Measure 1 projects – which is the maximum amount of Measure 1 projects which could be funded under this year’s scheme.
This year saw the highest level of funding allocated under CLÁR since it was relaunched in 2016. Notwithstanding that, I understand that some groups will be disappointed. I would advise such groups that the scheme will be launched again in the new year and that there are also a range of other funding opportunities available from my Department. Details of these schemes are on my Department’s website.
