Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 May 2026
393. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to support and acknowledge South Kerry Development Partnership's programme of works, (details supplied) and pre-budget submission in regard to CAP negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38480/26]
View answerLocal Development Companies across the country such as South Kerry Development Partnership complete invaluable work within their communities. The 2025 programme of work provided by South Kerry Development Partnership outlines this work in detail, with some of the programmes outlined being funded by my Department.
For example, the LEADER programme is a core component of my Department's Rural Development Investment Programme and has been operating successfully in Ireland for 35 years. As the Deputy will be aware, the current programme runs from 2023 to 2027 and has a total allocation of €180 million.
Within this overall budgetary allocation, the LEADER Local Action Group in Kerry has an allocation of €8.2 million. I wish to acknowledge the work undertaken to date by the Local Action Group, Kerry Local Community Development Committee, with their implementing partners South Kerry Development Partnership CLG and North, East & West Kerry Development in delivering LEADER in Kerry, engaging with businesses and communities to progress projects that have a positive impact throughout the county.
My Department also funds the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme, SICAP, which is delivered by the South Kerry Development Partnership in the South Kerry and Killarney region. SICAP is Ireland’s primary social inclusion intervention and works to address high and persistent levels of deprivation through targeted and innovative, locally-led approaches. It targets and supports those who are disadvantaged in Irish society and less likely to use mainstream services. Funding of approximately €650,000 has been allocated to the Partnership for delivery of SICAP in 2026, with an additional €433,000 allocated for delivery of programme supports to New Arrivals in the community.
The Partnership is also involved in delivery of the Community Connection Project (CCP) in south Kerry, with funding of €106,922 allocated for recruitment of a Community Link Worker. The CCP works to build community resilience against misinformation and prejudice through the Link Worker engaging with the local community using a community development approach before, during and after the arrival of International Protection Applicants into the area. The programme runs complementary to SICAP’s work directly with New Arrivals themselves, as well as with other government initiatives at local level, such as the Local Authority Integration Teams.
I want to acknowledge South Kerry Development Partnership and other Local Development Companies for the work they complete on these and other programmes for both my Department and right across Government.
I note that the Local Community Development Network are to develop a pre-budget submission. While some multiannual programmes already have allocations set in advance, where aspects of this submission relate to schemes funded by my Department, these will be considered in the context of my Department's discussions on Budget 2027.
