Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 September 2026
932. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht what plans are in place for the Community Development Programme beyond 2026; whether consideration is being given, in the context of Budget 2027, to providing multi-annual funding and reviewing the level of core funding provided to projects under the programme. [68339/26]
View answerThe aim of the Community Development Pilot Programme (CDP) is to trial community development initiatives that address poverty, social exclusion and inequality, and promote human rights by providing supports to the most severely marginalised.
The CDP was launched on 4th March 2021 with seven projects. Additional funding was made available in 2023 for the expansion of the programme. Following a closed call for applications in 2023, three additional projects were approved under the programme for 3 years.
In 2024, the Programme was extended for a further two years up to the 31st of December 2026. In 2025, after a review, the funding for each of the CDP Projects was increased by €25,000 to €150,000 for 2026.
All schemes operated by my department including the CDP are reviewed on a regular basis, to ensure the funding available is put to best use in terms of supporting communities throughout the country.
All aspects of the future funding of the CDP are being considered in the context of the annual budgetary estimates process.
