Peadar Tóibín
Question:10. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the number of buildings purchased under the town and village renewal scheme. [8629/26]
View answerRural Schemes
Questions (10)
Written answers
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme was introduced in 2016 and is designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. This scheme places particular emphasis on projects that will bring derelict and vacant buildings and sites back into use as multipurpose community spaces. Over €210 million has been allocated to over 1,900 projects since the launch of the scheme.
In 2022, a new Buildings Acquisition Measure was introduced within the scheme. This saw an amendment to the scheme’s criteria to allow the provision of support to local authorities to acquire derelict or vacant buildings with a view to the later development of these buildings for community use.
Following engagement with the local government sector, the scheme’s criteria was subsequently widened further to allow the purchase of land in town and village centres under the Building and Land Acquisition Measure.
To date, the widened scheme criteria has seen the acquisition of 69 buildings and 8 sites nationally. This has included the acquisition of 14 buildings and 6 sites resulting from local authority applications I approved in July of last year under the 2025 Building and Land Acquisition Measure. A number of other acquisitions are currently in the final stages of the conveyancing process. Details of these properties will be confirmed on the conclusion of the necessary legal agreements.
The Building and Land Acquisition Measure has been successful in supporting local authorities as they identify properties that can be brought back into use to meet the needs of rural communities in towns across the country. I am particularly pleased to note that the intervention has seen a focus on the purchase of vacant and derelict buildings which are of strategic and cultural importance within towns - with buildings such as old schools, post offices, banks, pubs, parish halls and cinemas being included in applications. I remain committed to ensuring that my Department helps to address issues of town regeneration across rural Ireland, in line with the policy objectives set out in the Town Centre First Policy and Our Rural Future.
Questions Nos. 11 to 14, inclusive, answered orally.
An Teanga Gaeilge
Questions (15)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:15. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht an nglacann sé leis an athbhreithniú ar phleananna teanga sa Ghaeltacht go bhfuil staid "éigeandála sa Ghaeltacht" agus géarghá le gníomh "práinneach" le dul i ngleic le meath na teanga sa phobal; an gcuirfidh an Rialtas moltaí an athbhreithnithe i bhfeidhm ina n-iomlán; an féidir leis na botúin a bhí le ceartú tar éis foilsiúcháin na tuarascála a chur in iúl agus a mhíniú. [8765/26]
View answerWritten answers
Baineann roinnt mhaith de na moltaí atá san athbhreithniú a foilsíodh Dé Luain seo caite le feabhas a chur ar sheirbhísí poiblí sa Ghaeltachta. Ba lá cinniúnach don Ghaeilge an Mháirt seo caite, mar sin, agus an chéad Phlean Gníomhaíochta um Sheirbhísí Poiblí Gaeilge foilsithe, ag teacht sna sála ar fhoilsiú thuarascáil neamhspleách ar fheidhmiú an phróisis pleanála teanga.
Ní aontaím leis an Teachta go bhfuil éigeandáil sa Ghaeltacht ar fad. Tá an Ghaeltacht briste síos i 26 Limistéir Pleanála Teanga agus is léir go bhfuil cuid acu níos laige ná a chéile. Tá dúshláin éagsúla ann i Limistéirí áirithe ach tá an teanga breá folláin i Limistéirí eile.
Chun an phróiseas pleanála teanga a éascú cuireadh síneadh dhá bhliain le haon phlean teanga atá le dul in éag in 2026 nó a chuaigh in éag in 2025. Leanfar le dearadh agus le cur i bhfeidhm na gclár bliantúla de chuid na bpleananna reatha le linn na tréimhse seo agus ní bheidh briseadh ar bith sa mhaoiniú a chuirtear ar fáil faoi scáth an phróisis. Tabharfaidh an síneadh seo deis don Roinn leasuithe a dhéanamh ar an bpróiseas a thacóidh lena chur i bhfeidhm. Cuirfear moltaí an athbhreithnithe san áireamh agus an Roinn ag tabhairt faoin obair seo.
Tar éis dom an t-ardú is mó riamh a fháil d’earnáil na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta i mBuiséad 2026, beidh €3m breise á infheistiú sa phróiseas pleanála teanga i mbliana. Idir an infheistíocht seo agus tionchar an Phlean Gníomhaíochta, cuirfear borradh faoin bpróiseas sa thréimhse atá amach romhainn.
Déanadh leasú ar roinnt fhigiúirí a bhí san áireamh sa tuairisc nuair a foilsíodh é nuair a tugadh faoi deara go raibh siad míchruinn.
Is cinnte go mbeidh an t-athbhreithniú seo ina chabhair mhór ag dul chun cinn agus go dtacóidh sé le feidhmiú an dara timthriall den phróisis pleanála teanga.
Flexible Work Practices
Questions (16)
John Paul O'Shea
Question:16. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht his Department's engagement with Cork County Council regarding the development of remote working hubs facilities in Cork; if further investment is planned to expand remote working opportunities and connected hubs in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8191/26]
View answerWritten answers
Our Rural Future, the Government's Rural Development Policy, recognises the importance of remote working and committed to establishing a comprehensive and integrated national network of 400 remote working hubs by the end of 2025.
I am happy to say that we reached this target last November. Indeed we have since progressed further, and there are now 406 hubs on the network. My officials are working with the Connected Hubs team in the Western Development Commission to ensure that this important project continues to go from strength to strength.
In relation to Cork in particular, when we launched the Connected Hubs network in 2021 it included 13 hubs in Cork. There are now 42 hubs on the network in Cork, offering a valuable service to remote and hybrid workers all across the county.
In parallel with the development of the network, funding for remote working projects has been available across a range of funds in my department's Rural Development Investment Programme. Since 2020, over 200 projects which include the development of remote working facilities have received financial support under schemes such as the Rural and Regional Development Fund, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, and LEADER. This included specific support for the development of capacity in existing hubs under the Connected Hubs Calls in 2021 and 2022.
My officials engage on an ongoing basis with their colleagues across local authorities in relation to such supports, and also maintain ongoing engagement with local authorities in relation to digital services such as hubs via the network of Broadband Officers funded by my department.
In order to ensure that we can build on the progress achieved to date I intend to publish the first National Hubs Strategy shortly. The strategy is being developed jointly with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Strategy, and will present a coherent approach to the future development of remote working hubs.
I am committed to ensuring that we continue to build upon the advantages that hybrid and remote working offer to communities all across Ireland.
An Teanga Gaeilge
Questions (17)
Naoise Ó Cearúil
Question:17. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil den Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht conas a chomhlíonfaidh an Rialtas an riachtanas go mbeidh 20 faoin gcéad d’earcaigh nua seirbhíse poiblí inniúil sa Ghaeilge faoi 2030; céard iad na gníomhartha earcaíochta agus oiliúna atá sa sceideal do 2026; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [8689/26]
View answerWritten answers
Ba mhór an onóir dom é an chéad Phlean Gníomhaíochtaí um Sheirbhísí Poiblí Gaeilge, don tréimhse 2026-2028, a fhoilsiú le déanaí.
Féachann an Plean Gníomhaíochta seo le cur chuige iomlánaíoch, intomhaiste agus praiticiúil a ghlacadh maidir le cur i bhfeidhm an Phlean Náisiúnta um Sheirbhísí Poiblí Gaeilge - go háirithe an sprioc earcaíochta uaillmhianach. Tógann sé ar an tsuim shoiléir a léiríodh tríd an taighde don Phlean Náisiúnta i measc oibrithe na hearnála poiblí , a n-inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge a fheabhsú, chomh maith lena ndearcadh dearfach i leith na teanga go ginearálta.
Sa chomhthéacs sin, mar phríomhmheicníocht do chomhlachtaí poiblí a chinntiú go bhfuil foireann le Gaeilge acu chun seirbhísí dátheangacha ar ard-chaighdeán a chur ar fáil, cuirtear an-bhéim sa Phlean seo ar bhearta bainteach leis an ollsprioc earcaíochta 20% - le caibidil iomlán tiomnaithe don ábhar ann. I measc buaicphointí 2026, tá:
• earcú réamhghníomhach le déanamh ag comhlachtaí poiblí ar dhaoine inniúil i nGaeilge agus tuairisciú ina leith;
• tacaíocht réamhghníomhach dóibh siúd ar mian leo cur lena scileanna Gaeilge, idir chúrsai oiliúna mar aon le deiseanna gréasánaíochta agus cóitseála;
• bearta éagsúla feasachta - ag tosú le comhdháil úrnua do dhaoine óga i mí an Mhárta chomh maith le seoladh feachtais feasachta náisiúnta níos moille i mbliana.
• forbairt cláir printíseachta, intéirneachtaí agus eile;
• cuir le hacmhainneacht An Foras Riaracháin, poistphoiblí agus an FSS ó thaobh na teanga de;
• bunú grúpa oibre earnála don oideachas treasach.
Tá sé treisithe agam le mo chomhghleacaithe Rialtais an ról atá againn go léir i dtaobh na spriocanna uaillmhianacha seo a bhaint amach agus beidh mé ag súil le tuairisciú ar an dul chun cinn a rinneadh le linn 2026 i mo thuarascáil bhliantúil.
Scéimeanna Tacaíochta
Questions (18)
Aindrias Moynihan
Question:18. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aindrias Moynihan den Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht cén dul chun cinn atá déanta chun Scéim na mBóithre Áise a chur ar fáil arís; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [8276/26]
View answerWritten answers
Tá geallta sa Chlár Rialtais go dtabharfar Scéim na mBóithre Áise ar ais le linn téarma an Rialtais seo. Tá an mheicníocht agus an cur chuige a bhaineann leis an scéim seo a athbhunú á chíoradh ag oifigigh mo Roinne faoi láthair.
Idir an dá linn, tá maoiniú ar fáil faoin Scéim Feabhsaithe Áitiúil (LIS), de chuid mo Roinne chun cabhrú le húdaráis áitiúla obair fheabhsúcháin a dhéanamh ar bhóithre neamhphoiblí agus ar bhóithre nach ndéantar cothabháil phoiblí orthu sa ghnáthbhealach. D’fhógair mé i mí Lúnasa 2025 go raibh maoiniú breise de €14m ceadaithe agam don scéim seo chun oibreacha uasghrádaithe a dhéanamh ar bhóithre tuaithe ar fud na tíre, ceantair Ghaeltachta san áireamh. Thug sé sin infheistíocht mo Roinne go €30m in 2025 don scéim áirithe seo.
Tá breis eolas maidir leis an Scéim Feabhsúcháin Áitiúil (LIS) le fáil ar shuíomh mo Roinne.
An Teanga Gaeilge
Questions (19)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:19. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Louise O'Reilly den Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht an soiléireoidh sé cén fáth ar leasigh a Roinn a bhfreagra ar an Athbhreithniú Pleanála Teanga a foilsíodh le déanaí, agus an bhfuil sé ar intinn aige an tuarascáil a athbhreithniú i bhfianaise an aiseolais a fuarthas agus na míchruinneas atá tuairiscithe. [8729/26]
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Is é an comhlacht Barr Feabhais Teo. a bhí i mbun an athbhreithniú neamhspleách ar an bpróiseas pleanála teanga thar ceann na Roinne. Leagadh síos téarmaí tagartha roimh ré agus bhí ar mo Roinn a chinntiú gur comhlíonadh na téarmaí tagartha sin sular foilsíodh an tuarascáil.
Rinne mo Roinn leasú ar na freagraí ar mholtaí Barr Feabhais de bharr botún riaracháin a bhain leis an gcéad cháipéis a h-eisíodh. Déanadh soiléiriú ar roinnt fhigiúirí laistigh den tuarascáil féin ar mhaithe le míchruinneas a cheartú chomh maith. Déantar réimse moltaí cuimsitheacha san athbhreithniú seo a thacóidh le cur i bhfeidhm an phróisis pleanála teanga sna limistéir éagsúla. Tá líon áirithe de na moltaí sin, nó macasamhail dóibh, á gcur i bhfeidhm cheana féin agus tá moltaí eile ann a bhaineann le gníomhaíochtaí iomlán nua.
Déanfaidh an Roinn na moltaí agus an t-athbhreithniú trí chéile a mheas go cúramach agus glacfar na céimeanna cuí chun tairbhe a bhaint astu.
Táthar ag súil go mbeidh sé seo mar thacaíocht mhór do na ceanneagraíochtaí Pleanála Teanga atá ag cur tús le hullmhú a ndara phleananna teanga, agus dóibh siúd atá ag teacht ag deireadh a gcéad phlean.
Tá go leor airgid infheistithe ag mo Roinn sna heagraíochtaí seo ó cuireadh tús leis an bpróiseas agus beidh tuilleadh le hinfheistiú sna blianta amach romhainn. Fuair mé an t-ardú is mó riamh d’earnáil na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta i mBuiséad 2026 chomh maith agus de thoradh sin, beidh €3m breise á infheistiú sa phróiseas pleanála teanga i mbliana. Idir an infheistíocht seo agus tionchar an Phlean Gníomhaíochta um Sheirbhísí Poiblí Gaeilge a foilsíodh an tseachtain seo caite, cuirfear borradh faoin bpróiseas sa thréimhse atá amach romhainn.
An Ghaeltacht
Questions (20)
Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh
Question:20. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh den Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht an bhfuil sé ag obair chun níos mó spásanna ar chúrsaí samhraidh sa Ghaeltacht a leathnú chun freastal ar an éileamh méadaithe i mbliana; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [8727/26]
View answerWritten answers
Tá Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge á riar ag mo Roinn ar mhaithe le tacú deiseanna sealbhaithe agus saibhrithe teanga sna réigiúin Ghaeltachta do fhoghlaimeoirí idir scoláirí dara leibhéal, mic léinn tríú leibhéal, agus daoine fásta ó áiteanna ar fud na tíre. Tagann an scéim le cuspóirí an Rialtais i leith na Gaeilge mar atá leagtha amach sa Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030 agus is í an príomhbhealach a dtacaíonn an Roinn le hearnáil na gColáistí Gaeilge.
Is mian liom a mheabhrú don Teachta gur earnáil tráchtála í earnáil na gcoláistí Gaeilge go príomha agus gur ar lucht stiúrtha na gColáistí Gaeilge féin atá an phríomhfhreagracht maidir lena gcoláistí. Tá ról lárnach agus tacúil ag mo Roinn agus ag an Roinn Oideachais agus Óige chun géilliúlacht maidir leis na dualgais ábhartha reachtúla a thiteann ar lucht stiúrtha na gcoláistí Gaeilge a chothú, chomh maith le dea-chleachtas i ngach réimse ábhartha eile a chur chun cinn oiread is féidir san earnáil – lena n-áirítear gnóthaí teagaisc agus foghlama na gcoláistí.
Cuireann mo Roinn fóirdheontas oíche €14.50 ar fáil do theaghlaigh a chuireann lóistín aitheanta ar fáil d'fhoghlaimeoirí faoin scéim. Níor mhiste a lua go bhfaigheann na teaghlaigh seo deontas eile aon-oíche ó na coláistí iad fhéin anuas ar dheontas na Roinne agus go mbíonn na h-íocaíochtaí seo saor ó cháin.
Anuas air sin tacaíonn mo Roinn leis an earnáil tríd deontas tosaithe aonuaire ar luach suas le €6,000 a chur ar fáil do theaghlaigh nua a chláraíonn faoin scéim nó do theaghlaigh a bhíonn imithe as an gcóras aar feadh cúig bliana nó níos mó agus a dhéanann cinneadh filleadh ar an scéim. Tugadh an deontas méadaithe sin isteach ar mhaithe le tuilleadh rannpháirtíocht sa scéim a spreagadh tar éis na paindéime. Anuraidh, mar bheart faoi leith, d'fhógair mé deontas caipitil gearrthéarmach suas le €2,000 do theaghlaigh sean-bhunaithe sa scéim chun tacú le leapacha agus tochtanna a uasghrádú. Mar atá leagtha amach sa Chlár Rialtais, leanfaidh mé de bheith ag tacú leis an earnáil seo le linn téarma an Rialtais.
Mar thoradh díreach ar bhearta nua mo Roinne, bhain breis agus 29,000 scoláire leas as an gcóras anuraidh - líon níos mó ná mar a d'fhreastal roimh an phaindéim - agus ar ndóigh ba dhea-scéala don éarnáil i gcoitinne é sin. Is ionann Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge agus infheistíocht stáit ar fiú breis agus €7m é san earnáil go bliantúil.
Rural Schemes
Questions (21)
Sorca Clarke
Question:21. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht whether he is satisfied that Town Centre First, Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, and Rural Regeneration and Development Fund are being matched with sufficient delivery capacity within local authorities; and the concrete changes have occurred on the ground as a result of the policy. [8709/26]
View answerWritten answers
The last number of years have seen a substantial growth in the level of capital funding that my Department provides to local authorities for the delivery of projects under schemes such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, and the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme. This strong investment will continue in 2026, with over €218 million available for rural and community capital schemes.
In light of this sustained investment, my Department and the local authorities have worked together to develop a more strategic approach to capital project delivery at local authority level. As a result, my Department, in consultation with the County and City Management Association, established the Capital Delivery Teams initiative.
This initiative provides each of the 28 local authorities that are eligible for rural development funding with up to €260,000 each year, for a period of five years, to established Capital Delivery Teams. A total of 101 posts are being funded, including technical posts such as engineers, dedicated to developing and delivering my Department’s capital funded projects.
Staff were recruited throughout 2025, and all 28 teams are operational. The teams are focusing on improving delivery of existing projects, generating a strong pipeline of new projects, and enhancing communications between local authorities and communities, and communications with my Department.
My Department is also providing capacity to deliver on the Town Centre First policy. A dedicated National Town Centre First Office within the Local Government Management Agency is in place to implement the policy actions, and 26 Town Regeneration Officers have been appointed across local authorities to drive the initiative. These officers work across multidisciplinary technical teams to build linkages with Town Teams and other stakeholders.
I am confident that this investment in capacity in local authorities will ensure a more strategic approach to investment, will enhance project development and delivery, and will improve engagement with communities on how their areas should develop.
Community Development Projects
Questions (22)
Aindrias Moynihan
Question:22. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will include costly water connection charges for funding on applications under the Community Centre Investment Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8275/26]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, the Community Centre Investment Fund was first introduced in 2022 in recognition of the challenges being faced by community groups all around the country in raising funds to invest in their community centres. These facilities are invaluable assets for both rural and urban areas, and they need ongoing investment if they are to continue to be functional and fit for purpose.
Many of them are older buildings that need upgrade works and modernisation. In addition, there are other areas with no functional community centre at all. That is why the scheme to date has funded both refurbishment of existing centres, and the development of new build centres.
The 2023 Community Centre Investment Fund scheme provided funding of up to €6 million for new community centres on green or brownfield sites. Over €30 million was approved for the construction of 12 new community centres covering nine counties under the fund.
These new build projects involve considerable levels of investment. As with any large construction project, the eligible costs consist of many different elements including professional fees, constructions costs, equipment and fit-out, and service connections for electricity, water and sewage.
All of these different project elements, including water connection charges, should be identified in the project application. These costs are confirmed again before approval is given for the project to go to tender and finally before the award of contract to the successful tenderer. It is a matter for the lead partner for the project and the community group to manage these project elements and associated costs.
My focus for 2026 is to deliver a new round of CCIF that will support refurbishments works on existing community centres. The details of this will be confirmed in the coming months.
Departmental Policies
Questions (23)
Louis O'Hara
Question:23. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the progress of the Town Centre First initiative in Galway east; his plans to support regeneration in towns and villages across County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7450/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Town Centre First Policy (or TCF) is a cross-government policy, which aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres.
Under TCF, funding is provided by my Department to local authorities, including Galway County Council, to employ dedicated Town Regeneration Officers. These officers work closely across teams in local authorities who are charged with responsibility of town regeneration. This includes new Capital Delivery Teams, who are also funded by my Department, Vacant Homes Officers, Broadband Officers and Night-Time Economy Officers.
Dedicated funding of over €7 million has also been provided under TCF. Included in this package of funding was support the development of 52 TCF Town Plans nationally, including in Gort and Athenry. The funding also helped establish Town Teams nationwide, including in Headford, An Cheathrú Rua, and Oranmore. These initiatives aims to support local communities in identifying and addressing the key issues in their own towns and communities.
Importantly, a range of capital funding streams is available to support delivery on Town Centre First objectives. For example, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund has allocated over €32 million to 20 projects across County Galway. Similarly, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme has awarded €8.5 million to 81 projects in County Galway.
Town Centre First is also supported by other funding measures available across Government. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, who holds joint responsibility for the policy, also implements a suite of schemes including the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant under the Croí Conaithe initiative, and THRIVE - the TCF Heritage Renewal Scheme.
My Department will continue to work closely with colleagues in local authorities and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to deliver on the goal of revitalising rural towns and villages and addressing the issues of dereliction and vacancy.
Rural Schemes
Questions (24, 38, 49, 52)
Eamon Scanlon
Question:24. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the planned 2026 funding allocation for the local improvement scheme (LIS) in counties Sligo and Leitrim; if he will provide additional supports to local authorities with significant LIS backlogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8244/26]
View answer
Erin McGreehan
Question:38. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if the local improvement scheme will open for applications this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8630/26]
View answer
Cathal Crowe
Question:49. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will urgently increase funding allocations to local authorities for the local improvement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8198/26]
View answer
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:52. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the planned 2026 funding allocation for the local improvement scheme; if additional supports will be provided to local authorities with significant backlogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8277/26]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 24, 38, 49 and 52 together.
The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports the enhancement of non-public rural roads and laneways that are not under the maintenance of local authorities. This scheme was reinstated by my Department in 2017, and since that time, approximately €184 million has been allocated to local authorities for LIS.
The Programme for Government commits to providing additional funding for the LIS. €17 million in LIS funding was secured as part of Budget 2026. This represents an increase in the Scheme's baseline allocation compared to previous years and recognises the strong demand nationally for this scheme.
Since 2017, Sligo County Council has been allocated a total of €4.82 million in LIS funding. This figure also includes €10k allocated to Sligo in each of the years 2023, 2024 and 2025 which is ring-fenced funding for LIS works on Island roads. Leitrim County Council has been allocated a total of €5.75 million in LIS funding during the same period.
While the Department provides funding for the scheme, it is managed by local authorities, which are responsible for selecting and prioritising roads. This includes handling applications, prioritising eligible roads, scheduling works, and maintaining waiting lists. My Department works closely with local authorities to ensure funding is fully utilised where possible and that as many roads as possible are completed. It should be noted that many factors affect the ability of local authorities to complete works including resources and capacity and the varying conditions of the roads awaiting repair under the scheme.
My officials are currently finalising the details of this year's scheme. Once finalised, details regarding the 2026 scheme, including county allocations and the scheme outline, will be disseminated to local authorities and published over the coming weeks on my department's website.
Údarás na Gaeltachta
Questions (25)
Barry Heneghan
Question:25. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Barry Heneghan den Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht an bhfuil sé sásta an maoiniú cuí a chur ar fáil d’Údarás na Gaeltachta chun rannóg tithíochta a chur ar bun san Údarás le comhordú a dhéanamh ar straitéis chun dul i ngleic leis an éigeandáil tithíochta Gaeltachta, comhordú a dhéanamh ar thógáil tithíochta ag na húdaráis áitiúla agus ag na comhlachtaí tithíochta ceadaithe agus pleanáil go straitéiseach don líon tithe breise atá ag teastáil chun inmharthanacht na Gaeltachta a chinntiú. [8725/26]
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Níor mhiste a nótáil go mbaineann saincheisteanna tithíochta leis an Roinn Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta agus níl aon ról ag mo Roinne i mbeartas tithíochta.
Tá an Bille um Údarás na Gaeltachta (Leasú) 2024 ag Céim na Tuarascála faoi láthair. Cé gurb é athbhunú toghcháin chuig bord an Údaráis príomhchuspóir an Bhille seo, ar mhaithe le tacú le soláthar títhíochta sa Ghaeltacht ann, déanfar leasú sa Bhille ar Alt 8 den Acht um Údarás na Gaeltachta, 1979, chun cead a thabhairt don Údarás talamh a dhíol le comhlacht tithíochta ceadaithe nó le húdarás tithíochta nó a dhiúscairt ar shlí eile chuig an gcéanna, chun tithíocht a sholáthar sa Ghaeltacht.
Tá obair thábhachtach ar bun ag Údarás na Gaeltachta ar mhaithe le fóstaíocht a chur ar fáil do phobal na Gaeltachta agus ní bheadh sé cuí aon rud a dhéanamh a laghdódh an bhéim atá ag an eagraíocht ar chomhlíonadh an róil sin.
É sin ráite, is saincheist an-tábhachtach domsa mar Aire í tithíocht sa Ghaeltacht agus bhí roinnt chruinnithe agam leis an Aire Tithíochta, James Browne TD, chun é seo a phlé. I bPlean Tithíochta an Rialtais, tá a bhfuil geallta don Ghaeltacht soiléir; tá sé geallta go bhfoilseofar Ráiteas Náisiúnta Pleanála don Ghaeltacht sa chéad leath de 2027 agus go n-oibreoidh Údarás na Gaeltachta i gcomhar le hUisce Éireann agus na húdaráis áitiúla chun na féidearthachtaí a bhaineann le suíomhanna seirbhísithe a bheadh feiliúnach do thithíocht a fhiosrú, anuas ar na scéimeanna tacaíochta náisiúnta tithíochta atá ar fáil don phobal i gcoitinne.