Written Answers Nos. 34-53
34. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will consider expanding the CLÁR scheme to more areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68328/25]
View answer58. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht when he intends to review the National map of CLÁR funding areas that designates who can apply for funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68307/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 58 together.
My Department's CLÁR programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas. I was pleased to announce funding of €12.3 million for over 200 projects under the CLÁR programme just last week.
The Programme for Government makes a commitment to carry out a comprehensive review of the eligible CLÁR areas. The statistical analysis for this review has now been completed and I am currently considering the content of the resulting report. It is intended that any changes to be introduced as a result of the review will be implemented before the next iteration of the scheme is launched next year.
35. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the number of new community centres opened in 2025 that were built alongside new residential developments and included in the original plans. [67572/25]
View answerMy department does not have any role in, or information on, the requirements for community infrastructure that may be place as part of planning permissions for new residential developments.
My department supports investment in community centres and community infrastructure through a range of funding programmes. These are based on competitive application processes and a bottom-up approach, where individual communities identify their own needs in collaboration with local authorities and local development companies.
Through the Community Centre Investment Fund, some €110 million has been allocated since 2022 for the enhancement and refurbishment of existing community centres and the construction of new centres where such a need has been identified. In early 2024, funding of over €30 million was approved for the construction of 12 new community centres covering nine counties. These new centres are at various stages of design and delivery, with 6 projects now at construction stage.
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.
36. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht in line with the objectives of "Our Rural Future", the specific, measurable interventions his Department will implement in County Mayo over the next 12-months to support the retention of young families and combat depopulation, specifically in the areas of facilitating the development of affordable community-owned housing. [68159/25]
View answerOur Rural Future, the whole-of-government policy for sustainable rural development in Ireland, seeks to ensure that rural areas are attractive for people to live, work and raise their families. In line with this, one of the high-level outcomes in the policy is for an increase in the number of people living in rural areas.
According to the OECD, rural remote regions in Ireland recorded the highest population growth of all OECD countries between 2001 and 2021 and CSO figures show a 7% increase in highly rural remote areas between 2011 and 2022. Within this context, however, I am aware that there are variations across rural areas within these overarching figures, and the sustainability of all rural areas is key focus for Government.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government includes a commitment to publish and implement a new Our Rural Future policy from 2026 and the process of developing this strategy is well underway.
The new policy will build on the momentum of Our Rural Future and the actions delivered to support our aim of increasing the population in rural areas through initiatives focused on remote working, broadband and digital connectivity, rural transport, support for rural enterprises, support for the agri-food sector, and more.
The challenges around attracting and retaining young people and their families in rural areas have featured strongly in our consultations to date, including at an in-person workshop in Ballina, Co Mayo last May, and will continue to shape its development.
Informed by the extensive public and stakeholder engagement already undertaken, a consultation document setting out the proposed key themes and priorities for the new policy was published on 17 November.
Promoting balanced regional development and supporting the provision of sustainable rural housing as a key building block to ensuring viable rural communities are identified as key priorities under Pillar One of the new policy consultation document.
Housing policy falls under the remit of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Engagement with this Department, and others in respect of other policy areas, is ongoing in order to secure 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.
Government is committed to building on the success of Our Rural Future and securing a more sustainable and resilient future for our rural communities.
37. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will consider applications from rural communities who wish to convert their derelict buildings, schools or other old buildings into rural community libraries and study places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68384/25]
View answerThe provision of library services, including the provision of buildings for libraries, is primarily a matter for local authorities in their capacity as library authorities under the Local Government Act 2001.
Investing in our library network is a key priority for my department and this is reflected in the National Public Library Strategy 2023-2027 ‘The Library is the Place'. The Strategy focuses on strengthening public libraries as multi-purpose social and educational spaces.
The Libraries Capital Programme 2023-2027 is investing €22.6m in 11 state-of-the-art library infrastructure projects based on applications submitted by local authorities.
My department administers the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) which is a major capital investment programme to support large-scale, ambitious projects that have the potential to revitalise rural towns and villages in line with the Town Centre First Policy. The scheme supports regeneration to drive greater economic activity and footfall; address vacancy and dereliction; ensure the reuse of heritage and other existing buildings and provide the necessary facilities and infrastructure.
Funding under the RRDF is allocated to local authorities and other State-funded bodies, who take the lead role in individual projects. To date, RRDF has allocated over €613 million for 273 projects across Ireland. This funding includes the development of several public libraries, including Kinsale, Co. Cork, Trim, Co. Meath, Castleblaney, Co. Monaghan, Virginia, Co. Cavan and Boyle, Co. Roscommon.
Our Rural Future, the Government's Rural Development Policy, also recognises the opportunity for rural rejuvenation that remote working presents. It commits to establishing a comprehensive and integrated national network of 400 remote working hubs by the end of 2025. The Connected Hubs online platform was launched in May 2021 and is funded by my department. As of the 24th of November, there are 401 hubs onboarded to the Connected Hubs platform, many of which are housed in previously vacant or derelict buildings.
I would encourage rural community groups seeking to convert derelict buildings to engage with their local authority in the first instance.
38. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the measures he is taking to support youth work in Gaeltachta areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68490/25]
View answerÚdarás na Gaeltachta supports the provision of Irish language youth work in Gaeltacht communities through its subsidiary company Muintearas Teo.
With responsibility for youth development in the Gaeltacht, Muintearas Teo currently supports 42 volunteer-led youth clubs and, in conjunction with local language planning organisations, funds the provision of part-time youth workers across a small number of Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas.
In October 2025, I approved additional funding of up to €493,509 was approved for Muintearas Teo to develop an expanded youth services programme in the Gaeltacht starting in 2026. This allocation will help the organisation to prioritise staff and key services to continue building towards the improvement of youth services in Gaeltacht areas. It will be used to employ a Youth Manager, a Training Coordinator and additional part-time youth workers and to develop QQI accredited modules and courses.
Muintearas Teo also administers Tionscnamh Óige Mhuintearais under the UBU Your Place Your Space scheme funded through the Department of Education and Youth. This service provides targeted support to young people aged 10–24 across South Connemara, addressing issues such as social marginalisation, mental health and drug and alcohol misuse. It also delivers workshops for young people who are unemployed or not in education, employment or training (NEETs).
39. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the average annual allocation to LEADER scheme, by programme; since 2007. [68486/25]
View answerThe 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 across rural Ireland, facilitating a community-led, bottom-up approach to rural development.
The LEADER programme is co-financed by the European Commission under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), through the European Agriculture Fund for Rural Development. The budget for the CAP for the period 2021-2027 forms part of the Multiannual Financial Framework, or the EU Budget for that period. It is therefore a multi-annual programme, with allocations being linked to a programming period, rather than an annual basis.
Table 1 below gives a breakdown on the LEADER allocations for the periods requested by the Deputy.
The total amount of funding allocated to LEADER for the period of 2021-2027 is €250 million. This funding is made up of €70 million for the Transitional LEADER programme for the years 2021 and 2022, and €180 million for the 2023-2027 LEADER programme , maintaining the level of funding at €250 million for the 7 year period, in line with the previous 2014-2020 LEADER programme.
Prior to this, the programming period covered 2007-2013. The revised allocation for that period was €376,758,090 on foot of the agreement with the EU Commission of a formal amendment to the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to engage at EU level to increase funding for the next LEADER programme, which will form part of the post 2027 Multiannual Financial Framework.
The funding for the LEADER programme should be considered in the context of the expanding capital allocations which have been made available across the range of rural development schemes and supports under my Department's Rural Development Investment Programme in recent years.
Table 1: LEADER Programme Allocations
|
Programming Period |
Allocation |
|
2007-2013 (Revised) |
€376,758,090 |
|
2014-2020 |
€250,000,000 |
|
2021-2022 (Transitional) |
€ 70,000,000 |
|
2023-2027 |
€180,000,000 |
40. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the support his Department is providing to the public library network. [68345/25]
View answerThe provision of library services is primarily a matter for local authorities, in their capacity as library authorities, under the Local Government Act 2001.
Notwithstanding this, investing in our public library network is a key priority for my Department, and this is reflected in the National Public Library Strategy 2023-2027 ‘The Library is the Place', which was launched in July 2023. The Strategy, which focuses on strengthening public libraries as multi-purpose social and educational spaces, is a five-year plan containing 66 actions to enhance library services.
My Department supports library services through the following programmes:
• The Libraries Capital Programme 2023-2027 is investing €22.6m in 11 state-of-the-art library infrastructure projects and a further €2.6m in 12 next generation mobile library vehicles.
• The Rural Regeneration Development Fund (RRDF) has provided over €100 million to date for projects that include libraries. In May 2024, funding of circa €28m was announced under the RRDF to support three regeneration projects that include new library facilities. A fourth call for Category 2 RRDF was announced in October of this year and includes funding to support the development of a new library.
• My Department is also providing funding of almost €741,900 this year, as a contribution to support local authorities in leasing buildings for the provision of public library services.
• Initiatives such as the My Open Library service, funding for ICT equipment for library users, and targeted annual allocations such as Dormant Accounts Funding from my Department for the Skills for Life programme, further contribute to the enhancement of library services and their accessibility.
These strategic investments and targeted initiatives demonstrate my Department’s commitment to ensuring that public libraries remain accessible, inclusive and dynamic spaces that empower individuals and communities alike.
41. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the number of community hubs supported by the Government over the past three years where members of the community can work from their local community hub rather than travelling on overcrowded roads to their workplace; the number of such remote working hubs applying for support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68385/25]
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. The Connected Hubs online platform was launched in May 2021 and is funded by my Department. As of the 24th of November, 401 hubs have been onboarded to the platform, details of which are available on www.connectedhubs.ie.
Funding for remote working facilities continues to form part of capital schemes within my Department, such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Scheme (RRDF), the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) and LEADER. Since 2020, over 200 remote working facilities have been supported by these schemes.
In addition, my Department implemented targeted schemes in 2021 and 2022 to support the development of facilities in remote working hubs across Ireland to provide additional desk space and improve related services, such as privacy booths, technical equipment, meeting facilities and access controls. Almost €14 million was allocated across 200 projects under these schemes. In addition, the Connected Hubs Voucher Scheme was launched in 2022 to raise awareness of the Connected Hubs platform and to encourage greater usage of hubs.
I intend to publish a first National Hubs Strategy shortly, developed jointly with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and the Western Development Commission and following consultation with key stakeholders. The strategy will present a coherent approach to the future development of digital hubs and will include measures to underpin the sustainable development of the Connected Hubs network as well as supporting balanced regional economic development and digital services for rural communities.
42. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will work with on an cross-departmental basis to ensure that there is an adequate supply of early years workers proficient in Irish in Gaeltacht areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68491/25]
View answerÚdarás na Gaeltachta supports the economic, cultural, and social development of Gaeltacht areas. As part of this, Údarás na Gaeltachta provides funding to Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta (CNNG) to support early childhood education and care services operating through Irish in Gaeltacht areas. CNNG is an independent body that provides management, administration services and support to early years services operating through Irish in the Gaeltacht. During the 2025/2026 school year, 2,050 children are attending 135 CNNG early years services across all Gaeltacht areas. These Irish-medium services employ 249 early years workers - a 6.4% increase in terms of staff employed in 2024/2025.
Údarás na Gaeltachta also provides an Scéim Forbartha um Oiliúint Luathbhlianta sa Ghaeltacht (Early Years Training Development Scheme in the Gaeltacht) to assist early years educators working in the Gaeltacht to enhance their early years and care qualifications while continuing to work in the sector. Across the years 2024 and 2025, 32 early years educators working in Gaeltacht settings have been supported to further their qualifications by pursuing QQI accredited courses across levels 5,6,7, 8 and 9 of the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).
Additionally, Údarás na Gaeltachta is currently working in collaboration with relevant government Departments and agencies to develop a national plan to further the development of Irish language provision in early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) sector.
Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, as part of their agreement with my Department, organised a series of workshops in conjunction with Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta for Gaeltacht early years employees in August 2024. These workshops took place in Galway, Donegal and Cork and were attended by over 150 participants. Officials from An tAcadamh are now in discussion with Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta regarding the provision of this type of workshop on a regular basis. My Department has also engaged in discussions with An tAcadamh regarding the inclusion of an Irish language module in future Early Education Degree programmes.
Finally, officials from my Department regularly meets with officials from the Department of Children, Disability and Equality to ensure that the Department has an input into national policies regarding early years education and childcare.
43. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht when the next round of the Community Centre Investment Fund will open for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68306/25]
View answerThe CCIF was introduced to provide high quality, accessible, community spaces that are available to all groups in all communities in both rural and urban areas. Some €110 million has been allocated 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. I expect to deliver the next round of CCIF next year.
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.
44. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the role his Department can play in ensuring vital infrastructure is provided to the island communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65800/25]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to ensuring that Our Living Islands - the national islands policy - is fully implemented to support sustainable development for island residents.
Our Living Islands is a ten-year policy for the whole of Government, backed up by rolling three-year action plans so that Departments and agencies across Government can be held accountable.
The Government recognises that affordable, frequent and safe transport services and a developed infrastructure are important prerequisites for maintaining island communities. Physical connectivity to the mainland depends on the availability of safe harbours both on the islands and on the mainland. Notable improvements have been made over the years through State investment in major pier construction projects, and these will continue over the life of this Government.
While my Department does not have a statutory role in relation to infrastructure development, it provides a range of significant funding programmes to support other stakeholders such as local authorities, local development companies and community groups, including funding for capital infrastructure projects.
My department's responsibility relates primarily to connectivity through subsidised transport services and supporting infrastructure development through discretionary funding to other stakeholders, along with overall policy co-ordination to support and sustain communities on our islands.
The National Development Plan (NDP) provides funding for major capital projects. I recently secured a record investment of €35.75 million for the Inis Oírr pier development project. I believe it is significant that this was the first project to be announced under the revised National Development Plan, demonstrating the Government's commitment to investing in our island communities.
My Department continues to fund an annual programme of minor capital works on the islands to be delivered in conjunction with the relevant local authorities. This work programme includes investment in areas such as such as road improvements, investment in piers and repairs to slipways. It also includes infrastructure such as helipads, airstrips and smaller capital infrastructure.
My Department has also introduced island-specific measures under a range of other funding schemes such as CLÁR, Town and Village Renewal, and the Local Improvements Scheme.
45. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the work he is undertaking to support the creation of a national body of women’s sheds, similar to what is in place for men’s sheds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66816/25]
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.
A number of meetings have taken place between representatives of women's sheds and officials from my department and from the Department of Health.
Both Departments have jointly funded the provision of a facilitator to assist the representatives of the women’s sheds in their discussions around the formation of a national body. The facilitator is also providing advice to the representatives from the women’s sheds in the context of appropriate governance structures. Several meetings have taken place as part of the work plan, both online and in person, and further meetings will be scheduled in the coming weeks.
My officials, along with their counterparts in the Department of Health, hold regular update meetings with the facilitator to discuss the progress of the work plan, the most recent of which took place last week.
The women’s shed representatives, and the facilitator are working together to outline a plan that determines what the next steps are towards the development of a national governing body. These meetings are ongoing.
A 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 as required.
46. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will report on their implementation of a rural proofing model. [68521/25]
View answerOur Rural Future committed to developing an effective rural proofing approach. My Department commissioned a body of research on rural proofing, available online, which sets out some of the key international evidence in relation to rural proofing. A Rural Proofing Pilot was subsequently undertaken on four key initiatives across a number of Government Departments.
Currently, the Cabinet Handbook requires all government proposals being submitted by memo for government to outline the impact of the given proposal on rural areas. The pilot evidenced that a level of rural proofing is already taking place within the current system, although it may not be labelled with a formal ‘rural proofing’ tag. In recognising this, my Department developed a Guide to Rural Proofing for Policy Makers to build on and strengthen the existing approach.
The Guide, which includes a simplified Rural Proofing Assessment template and key resources, aims to provide a clear outline of what rural proofing is and to make rural proofing easy to understand and implement. The principal purpose is to aid and support policy makers to ‘think rural’ when developing policies to help ensure government policies understand, and take account of, specific needs and capacities of rural communities. The Guide, available online, has been circulated to all Government Departments to be added to the suite of tools/processes used by policy makers.
The importance of rural proofing has also been highlighted in bilateral meetings with Departments in the development of the new Our Rural Future policy from 2026. This will help ensure that actions developed across Government to support the policy implementation will more effectively consider the impacts for rural areas, helping result in better outcomes for rural communities. There is also evidence of early engagement by Departments in the development of key strategies, which can help ensure the principles of effective rural proofing are built into the design of those strategies.
I am confident the guide will serve as a practical and user friendly tool for Departments to support that process and help ensure that rural issues are fully taken account of in the development of major policy initiatives across Government.
47. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Mairéad Farrell den Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht an bhfuil sé i gceist aige daoine a fhostú i nGaeltacht Chonamara faoin gClár um Chumhachtú Pobal; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [68518/25]
View answerTá an Clár um Chumasú Pobal (ECP) á mhaoiniú ag mo Roinn óna bhunú in 2022, agus ar dtús bhí maoiniú á thabhairt i gcomhair 14 thionscadal. Faoi láthair, tá 17 dtionscadal ag fáil tacaíochta faoin chlár.
Is é atá mar aidhm leis an gclár, le tacaíocht ón gCoiste ábhartha um Fhorbairt Pobail Áitiúil (LCDC) agus ón Chuideachta Forbartha Áitiúla (LDC) ábhartha, ná feabhas a chur ar rochtain pobal ar sheirbhísí tábhachtacha agus cumas a thabhairt do phobail áitiúla a bhfreagraí féin a fhorbairt ar bhochtanas ina gceantair, ar eisiamh sóisialta agus na hiarmhairtí a bhaineann leo sin.
Mar chuid den chlár seo, tugtar tacaíocht don chuideachta forbartha áitiúla chun Oibrí Rannpháirtíochta Pobail a fhostú in gach ceann de na ceantair a roghnaítear, chun caidreamh a fhorbairt agus a éascú idir gheallsealbhóirí pobail, grúpaí pobail, agus gníomhaireachtaí agus struchtúir reachtúla.
Téann na hOibrithe Rannpháirtíochta Pobail i mbun oibre leis an bpobal lena bhfuiltear ag tacú, agus neartaíonn siad luachanna agus prionsabail forbartha pobail. Tacaíonn siad leis an bpobal chun freagracht a ghlacadh as na ceisteanna is mó tábhachta dóibh, chun dul i ngleic leis na ceisteanna sin, agus chun athrú dearfach a éascú agus a chruthú.
Roghnaítear ceantair i gcomhair maoinithe faoin ECP a bhfuil míbhuntáiste suntasach á fhulaingt acu, agus sainaithnítear iad trí innéacs díothachta Pobal HP.
D’fhostaigh mo Roinn sainchomhairleoir seachtrach chun tabhairt faoi mheasúnú ar thionchar an ECP agus tá an tuairisc dheiridh le bheith istigh go luath in 2026. Déanfar cinneadh ar bith faoi leathnú an ECP bunaithe ar thoradh an mheasúnaithe, faoi réir na n-acmhainní a bheidh ar fáil.
Mholfainn d’éinne atá ag lorg maoinithe suíomh gréasáin mo Roinne www.gov.ie/drcdg a sheiceáil, agus teagmháil a dhéanamh lena gCoistí um Fhorbairt Pobail Áitiúil, a gCuideachtaí Forbartha Áitiúla, agus a Líonraí Rannpháirtíochta Pobail, le cinntiú go bhfuil siad ar an eolas faoi dheiseanna maoinithe ábhartha de réir mar a chuirtear ar fáil iad.
48. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the reason Kildare, which is the fifth most populated county in Ireland, did not receive an adequate amount of funding from his Department in each of the tranches which have been announced in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68427/25]
View answer49. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the number of submissions Kildare County Council have submitted to his Department in 2025; the number of these submissions that have resulted in funding under the different schemes his Department distributes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68426/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 49 together.
My Department is committed to supporting thriving communities across the country, including in County Kildare, through a range of funding initiatives. Details of the thousands of funding approvals made by my Department each year across the country are available on my Department’s website, in tabular form at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development-and-the-gaeltacht/collections/funding-allocated-by-the-department/
County Kildare was allocated approximately €15 million in funding for 2024 and over €3.8 million to date in 2025. This is across both current and capital programmes operated by my Department.
The very significant funding approvals in 2024 relate to the success of Kildare across a number of schemes which are not annual in nature, in particular in the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund – with €4.028 million allocated for the Barrow Blueway; and the Libraries Capital Programme with €3 million allocated to the Kildare County Library, Archives and Cultural Centre and €1.9 million for the development of a new library in Clane.
My Department has funded significant projects in Kildare, indeed I was delighted to officially open the Shackleton Experience in Athy in October. The redevelopment of the 300-year-old former town hall has seen the building extended and modernised to become a museum with a dedicated space included to facilitate opportunities for research and education. My Department provided grant funding of over €5.2 million for this project to Kildare County Council under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. It is essential that we invest in projects like this to ensure that town centres, like Athy, are vibrant, attractive and more resilient places to live, work, raise a family and invest in.
Funding programmes delivered by my Department are administered in a number of ways, for example through local authorities, and with Pobal, Local Community Development Committees, Local Development Companies and Local Action Groups. This ensures that local needs are identified and targeted in a bottom up approach. For this reason it is not possible to provide a figure for the exact number of all applications submitted by Kildare County Council to my Department for funding in 2025.
My Department has a strong record of investment in County Kildare, and I look forward to continuing to build on this in the months and years ahead. I encourage all such groups to continue to make use of the many opportunities for funding across my Department, which help to support their important work in communities throughout the country.
50. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the funding available for community groups that are looking to construct capital facilities, particularly community centres; if consideration will be given to providing additional funding for community and voluntary organisations to assist with running costs as currently the grant schemes that exist are for capital works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66414/25]
View answerI am acutely aware of the important role that high quality communities can play in our towns and village, and I have thus prioritised investment in both community infrastructure and community services. The development and enhancement of capital facilities, including community centres, across the country is a priority for myself and for this Government.
My Department has a range of schemes available to support the delivery of capital works in in areas such as town regeneration, the development of community facilities, and the enhancement of our outdoor recreation facilities.
As part of Budget 2026, I was delighted to announce increased funding for capital schemes which fund these community works. This includes an increase in the annual budget for the Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF) by €3 million to €20 million. The CCIF was introduced to provide high quality, accessible, community spaces that are available to all groups in all communities in both rural and urban areas. Some €110 million has been allocated 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.
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund seeks to support large-scale, ambitious capital projects which can achieve sustainable economic and social development in rural areas. Funding is made available for community facilities and is allocated to local authorities and other State-funded bodies. Since 2018, over €613 million has been allocated to 273 projects across the country.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is designed to support the revitalisation of rural towns and villages and projects which regenerate buildings to provide community multi-purpose spaces and other community infrastructure. Since its launch, almost €184 million has been allocated to over 1,800 projects across Ireland. It is my intention is to confirm successful projects under the 2025 scheme in the near future.
The Community Recognition Fund, first introduced in 2023, also has supported a range of community infrastructure projects, and recognises the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland. A total of €100 million has now been allocated over two iterations of the fund.
The Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) provides small capital grants to community and voluntary groups for the improvement/refurbishment of their facilities and/or the purchase of equipment. In several iterations of the LEP, current funding was also made available to assist groups with their running/operational costs. LEP 2026 is currently under consideration and details of the new programme will be announced shortly.
Managed through a national network of Local Area Groups, the development of community facilities can also be funded under the LEADER programme which is operational across the country, with total funding of €180 million allocated to cover the years from 2023 to 2027.
In addition to these capital schemes which fund construction related costs, I would also highlight my Department’s Community Services Programme (CSP). CSP supports 427 community-based organisations, with a budget of €55.4 million in 2025, to provide local services through a social enterprise model. 78 of these organisations are associated with community centres (defined as Community Hall, Sports and Resource Centres for CSP) and provide employment to a total of 535 staff, 54 managers and 481 full-time equivalents. The total amount of funding allocated to these organisations is €34.6 million over the five-year timeframe of this programme (2023-2027). A further €4m has been allocated to the CSP Programme in 2026, bringing provision to €59.4m.
Separately, the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), supports individuals and community groups who face disadvantage, providing targeted supports in areas such as employment, mental health, education, and community engagement and improving the quality of life of those facing social exclusion and inequality. The supports are provided by the staff of Local Development Companies in local communities across the country often using community centres as their bases.
Full details of all of these measures including eligibility criteria can be found on the Department’s website.
51. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Louise O'Reilly den Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht cén cineál rannpháirtíochta atá aige leis na húdaráis áitiúla, leis an Aire Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta, agus leis an nGníomhaireacht Bainistíochta Rialtais Áitiúil (GBRÁ) maidir le stádas Oifigigh Gaeilge na n-údarás áitiúil. [68471/25]
View answerBíonn plé éagsúil ag mo Roinnse le stádas na n-Oifigigh Gaeilge sna húdaráis áitiúla agus ábhair níos leithne.
Thar ceann na Roinne, cuireann Foras na Gaeilge tacaíocht mhaoinithe ar fáil go rialta do Chumann na nOifigeach Forbartha Gaeilge (COFG). Is líonra tacaíochta agus urlabhra é seo d’Oifigigh Forbartha Gaeilge san Earnáil Phoiblí & Stáit ar oileán na hÉireann. Mar chuid dá ndualgais, tacaíonn siad lena n-eagraíochtaí seirbhísí a chur ar fail trí Ghaeilge, i gcomhréir le riachtanais Achtanna na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, 2003 agus 2021 agus eile.
Tugadh cuireadh d’ionadaithe ó COFG teacht le cur i láthair a dhéanamh don Choiste Comhairleach um Sheirbhísí Gaeilge, a bunaíodh faoin Acht céanna, chun ionchur a bheith acu in obair an Choiste sin – go háirithe in ullmhú an chéad Phlean Náisiúnta um Sheirbhísí Poiblí Gaeilge, a foilsíodh anuraidh.
Ag eascairt ón gcruinniú seo, mar aon le taighde eile a rinneadh don Phlean, áiríodh Cuspóir 1 (Earcaíocht) faoi Mhór Théama Straitéiseach 4 den Phlean sin, a luann:
Go mbreathnófaí ar dheiseanna ailíniú a dhéanamh idir róil nua a luaitear san Acht agus róil reatha, de réir mar is cuí
Is é an ról nua a bhfuiltear ag déanamh tagartha dó anseo go príomha ná an dualgas atá ar gach comhlacht poiblí anois oifigeach sinsearach, ag leibhéal comhionann le Príomhoifigeach Cúnta nó níos airde, a cheaptha chun críche chur i bhfeidhm an Achta (Alt 4B(a)) – ar a dtugtar anois Oifigeach na dTeangacha Oifigiúla.
Ní nach ionadh gur léirigh an taighde a rinneadh don Phlean Náisiúnta, an tionchar dearfach ar féidir le hOifigeach na dTeangacha Oifigiúla agus/nó Oifigeach Gaeilge tiomanta agus tacaithe imirt ar sholáthar seirbhísí poiblí ar ardchaighdeán trí Ghaeilge mar aon le cur chun cinn na Gaeilge laistigh den eagraíocht go ginearálta. Beifear ag iarraidh tacú tuilleadh leis na róil seo mar sin faoi Chuspóir 3 de Mhór-Théama Straitéiseach 1 den Phlean Náisiúnta chomh maith, a deir:
Go mbreathnófaí ar bhealaí le tarraingt go héifeachtach ar mheicníocht Oifigeach na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (OTO) atá tagtha i bhfeidhm anois faoi Alt 4B (GA/EN) den Acht leasaithe.
B’fhiú a lua go bhfuil ionadaí gníomhach ón Gníomhaireacht Bainistíochta um Rialtas Áitiúil (GBRÁ) ar an gCoiste Comhairleach chomh maith, a bhíonn ag tabhairt airde ar cheisteanna bainteach le stádas na nOifigeach Gaeilge i gcomhthéacs na n-údarás áitiúil go sonrach freisin.
Tá dhá phlean gníomhaíochta le tacú leis an bPlean Náisiúnta, ina leagfar amach na bearta sonracha atá le tabhairt fúthu i dtreo chuspóirí straitéiseacha ardleibhéil an Phlean a bhaint amach.
Tá obair ar siúl ó foilsíodh an Plean Náisiúnta ar an gcéad cheann de na Pleananna Gníomhaíochta seo agus, tar éis comhairliúchán fairsing agus fiúntach le páirtithe trasna an Rialtais, tá sé le cur faoi bhráid an Rialtais anois go luath
I dtaca leis sin go léir, i mí an Mhárta i mbliana, d’fhógair mé maoiniú d’os cionn €4.5m in imeacht ceithre bliana (2025–2028) le haghaidh Gaeilge 365 - 50% den mhaoiniú le teacht ó mo Roinnse agus an 50% eile le teacht ó na ceithre údarás áitiúla i mBaile Átha Cliath. Is é aidhm an tionscadail seo ná dea-chleachtais a chruthú i dtaobh na modhanna is féidir le húdaráis áitiúla a úsáid le tuilleadh deiseanna labhartha Gaeilge a chruthú don phobal. Tá gealltanas áirithe i gClár an Rialtais 2025 - Todhchaí na hÉireann a Dhaingniú chomh maith, an clár nuálaíochta teanga seo a leathnú chuig na húdaráis áitiúla go léir ar fud na tíre.
Mar fhocal scoir, b’fhiú a lua gur bunaíodh Fóram Pleanála Teanga na nÚdarás Áitiúil in 2024, le deis a thabhairt do na Príomh Oifigigh Feidhmiúcháin sna húdaráis áitiúla bualadh le chéile roinnt uaireanta sa bhliain le saincheisteanna a bhaineann le pleananna teanga, cúrsaí tithíochta agus nithe ábharthacha eile a bhaineann leis an nGaeilge ina gceantair a phlé. Is Údarás na Gaeltachta agus Foras na Gaeilge a dhéanann Comh-Chathaoirleacht ar an bhFóram seo agus cuimsítear leis an mballraíocht Príomh-Oifigigh Feidhmiúcháin, agus oifigigh shinsearacha eile ó na n-údarás áitiúil a bhfuil Limistéar Pleanála Teanga, Baile Seirbhíse Gaeltachta nó Líonra Teanga ina gceantar. D’fhreastail mé féin ar an gcéad chruinniú den Fhóram seo i mí an Mheithimh i mbliana (2025).
52. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht regarding the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, the amount which has been allocated to and been spent to date on the scheme since its inception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68488/25]
View answerThe Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) is a major programme which seeks to support large-scale, ambitious projects that can achieve sustainable economic and social development in rural areas. The focus of the RRDF is on rural towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000 people.
Funding under the RRDF is allocated to local authorities and other State-funded bodies, who take the lead role in individual projects and manage project spend. As a general rule, the RRDF will provide up to 80% of the total project costs, with at least 20% to be provided in matching contributions by the applicants. For counties in the North-West Region, this matching requirement has been reduced to 10%.
RRDF grant payments are made to the designated Lead Body over the lifetime of the project. The department makes this funding available on the basis of actual expenditure incurred at project level, and claimed thereafter by the Lead Body. To date, the RRDF has allocated over €613 million for 273 projects across Ireland, with over €258 million of that having been drawn down to date by Lead Bodies. Substantial further claims are expected by the end of this year, and my officials continue to engage proactively with Lead Bodies in relation to maximising drawdown over the course of these multi annual projects.
I was delighted to recently announce successful projects under the Fourth Call for Category 2 applications, with funding of over €20.5 million being allocated to 30 landmark regeneration projects in rural communities across the country. I can also confirm it is my intention to launch a Call for Proposals for larger scale Category 1 RRDF projects in the near future.
I am committed to ensuring 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.
