Written Answers Nos. 944-947
944. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he has considered proposals from Irish language and Gaeltacht organisations seeking additional funding for the Irish language and the Gaeltacht in Budget 2027; and the approach being taken by his Department to such proposals in the budgetary process. [68868/26]
View answerIn conjunction with a wide spectrum of stakeholders – the language planning community, other Government Departments, Foras na Gaeilge, Údarás na Gaeltachta, the Irish language lead organisations, the local authorities and state organisations in general – my Department continues to undertake significant work to promote and maintain the active use of Irish language and to assist groups supporting and promoting the language. Regular engagement takes place with these organisations in relation to a wide range of potential initiatives and the funding requirements for such initiatives.
The Deputy will be aware that the 2027 financial allocations for each Government department, including my own, will be agreed as part of the Estimates Process, negotiations in respect of which are currently underway.
I can assure the Deputy that I will be doing my utmost in the course of these negotiations in order to ensure the optimum outcome for the Gaeltacht and Irish language sector.
945. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht whether any funding under the town and village renewal scheme or any other scheme funded by the Department has been provided to businesses whose primary activity is the retail of vaping products, e-cigarettes or nicotine inhaling products; if his Department will request from each local authority the number and value of any such supports in each year from 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68768/26]
View answerIn line with policy commitments in Our Rural Future and Town Centre First, my department implements a range of measures to support the revitalisation and regeneration of rural towns and villages.
These include the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, which was referenced by the Deputy. This scheme was introduced in 2016 and places particular emphasis on projects which support sustainable employment creation, town centre resilience and regeneration, enhance streetscapes, and bringing derelict and vacant buildings and sites back into use as multi-purpose community spaces.
This is one of many grant schemes across my department, none of which are directed at funding private businesses whose primary activity is the retail of vaping products, e-cigarettes or nicotine inhaling products.
Full details of the grant schemes funded by my department are available on the departments website: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development-and-the-gaeltacht/
946. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht If he has engaged with the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation regarding funding requirements for the Irish language and Gaeltacht sectors in the context of Budget 2027; and if consideration is being given to providing additional Exchequer resources for these sectors. [68527/26]
View answerSince assuming the role of Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht at the beginning of 2025 – the first senior Minister for the Irish language and the Gaeltacht in some years – my Department has continued its significant work to promote and maintain the Irish language and the Gaeltacht.
As is usual around this time, my Department has engaged extensively with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation regarding funding requirements for the Irish language and Gaeltacht sectors in the context of Budget 2027.
I can assure the Deputy that I will be doing my utmost in the course of these negotiations in order to ensure the optimum outcome for the Gaeltacht and Irish language sector.
947. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if additional funding will be allocated in Budget 2027 to support his Department given that an additional €57.7 million has been recommended through An Plean Fais; and if he will commit to providing this level of additional funding. [69448/26]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the 2027 financial allocations for each Government department, including my own, will be agreed as part of the Estimates Process, negotiations in respect of which are currently underway.
I can assure the Deputy that I will be doing my utmost in the course of these negotiations in order to ensure the optimum outcome for the Gaeltacht and Irish language sector.
