Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2026
905. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the funding available and the supports provided by his Department to ensure that rural villages and communities retain their social hubs such as shops and pubs; if any supports are available for rural villages and communities who have lost their shop and pubs to have those social hubs restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50915/26]
View answerMy Department has a very clear mandate to support rural communities and villages, ensuring vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities across Ireland. This is achieved through the implementation of programmes designed to target rural isolation, promote social inclusion and develop rural infrastructure. Such programmes include the Local Enhancement Programme (LEP), the Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF), the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) and LEADER.
The LEP is targeted towards supporting communities that are impacted by disadvantage, as identified in the Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP) of the relevant local authority. It provides small capital grants to community and voluntary groups for the improvement/refurbishment of their facilities and/or the purchase of equipment. In general, support under the LEP is available to, for example, Parish Halls, Community Centres, Local Development Associations, Social Clubs, Senior Citizen Groups, Men’s and Women’s Sheds, all of which have a role in address social isolation. The Department has recently announced the successful projects under LEP 2026 and is currently considering a Local Enhancement Programme for 2027.
Under the CCIF, significant support has been provided for the upgrade and refurbishment of community centres, including works relating to energy efficiency, accessibility, maintenance and essential improvements. There is no doubt that our significant investment in the Fund in recent years helps to ensure our rural areas have high-quality facilities that serve as social hubs for communities.
The TVRS) was introduced in 2016 and is designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. The Scheme is administered through local authorities, who work closely with local communities and businesses to develop proposals that will bring long-lasting, positive impacts to rural towns and villages.
The LEADER programme, which is co-funded by the EU, has been operating successfully in Ireland for 35 years now delivering tangible benefits to rural communities. LEADER has for many years supported rural enterprises and community-based projects. Examples of projects include social enterprises including community cafes, development of rural infrastructure including community halls, local club and sports facilitates, and support for private enterprises that do not involve conventional retail.
I would encourage all community and voluntary organisations to check my department's website at www.gov.ie/drcdg, and to engage with their Local Community Development Committees, Local Development Companies and Public Participation Networks (PPN), to ensure they are aware of all existing funding opportunities.
