I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 172 together.
My Department does not provide core funding to any community and voluntary organisation under the National Regeneration Programme. Rather funding is provided through the programme's social funding pillar for specific programmes of activities delivered by community and voluntary organisations on a year-to-year basis. The activities and organisations funded are generally a matter for the relevant local authority.
This funding was never intended to be long-term or core funding. It was provided on a seed basis only and to support community participation during active estate regeneration. Accordingly, as regeneration projects and funding winds down, the respective community and voluntary organisations, supported by their local authority, will need to engage with the appropriate policy departments, agencies and local development bodies if longer-term or core funding support is needed post wind down of the regeneration programme.
The Cranmore Regeneration Project in Sligo reached a major milestone in September 2025 when the final phase of its refurbishment programme was completed. The regeneration project is now winding down, Sligo County Council has begun implementing its exit plan, and funding for community groups will reduce gradually before ending in 2028. This phased approach will provide affected groups with a window of time required to secure more appropriate and sustainable support.
These alternative sources may include, among others, funding through the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht through the Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme or Social Enterprise Development Fund. They may also include, where appropriate, funding from the Sports Capital Programme through the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport; the Department of Education and Skills and other local training and skills agencies; the Department of Children, Disability and Equality; and other departments, agencies and local development bodies depending on the particular activities in question. Ultimately, the onus rests with Sligo County Council and the relevant community groups to identify and pursue these alternative sources as regeneration programme support winds down.
My Department is currently developing a revised estate remediation and regeneration programme. The revised programme will focus primarily on the physical regeneration of local authority estates, including the refurbishment and construction of dwellings and, in some instances, public realm works and community facilities, where appropriate.
