Written Answers Nos. 411-418
411. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the level of funding available for community groups for improvements to community centres in Budget 2026; if funding will be made available for new builds in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55459/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF) was introduced to provide high quality, accessible, community spaces and has approved some €110 million since 2022 for the enhancement and refurbishment of existing community centres and the construction of new centres.
As part of Budget 2026, I was delighted to announce an increase in the annual budget for the CCIF by €3 million to €20 million.
I am committed to delivering further iterations of the scheme in the coming years in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government for this to become a permanent rolling fund. A decision in relation to the timing of further iterations and the measures to be included will be made in due course.
My Department also supports community facilities with enhancement works through a range of other funding streams including through the CLÁR programme, LEADER and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. I would encourage organisations to check my Department’s website for information on funding opportunities and announcements.
412. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the funding that has been made available for rural community groups in Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55460/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraBudget 2026 has seen my Department’s allocation increase from €575 million to €611 million, an increase of 6% year on year. This provides €192 million for rural development, €260 million for community development, and €159 million for the Gaeltacht, Irish language Supports and the Islands. This will support investment in the economic and social development of communities right across the country.
The €192 million funding for rural development will ensure continued strong implementation of Our Rural Future through continuing significant investment in rural development schemes such as the LEADER programme. There is also increased funding for CLÁR, Outdoor Recreation and Town and Village Renewal as well as continued support in areas such as Tidy Towns and Agricultural Shows.
The €260 million Community Development funding will allow for the provision of almost €74 million for the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) and other inclusion supports.
There is an increase in funding of €4 million for the Community Services Programme (CSP) in 2026, bringing it to €59 million, and €5 million in capital funding in 2026 for the development of a new RAPID programme to revitalise our most disadvantaged areas through co-ordinated planning and investment.
An additional €3 million in funding for the Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF) will bring the total funding available in 2026 to €20 million which will include the support of targeted measures to assist communities in becoming more storm resilient.
The overall allocation for the Gaeltacht, the Irish Language and the Islands has increase by €36 million to €159 million in 2026 – and increase of 29% for the programme area as a whole. This will allow increased investment in the linguistic, economic, cultural and social development of Irish-speaking communities both within and outside the Gaeltacht, and on our offshore Islands.
I am confident that the funding supports provided by my Department in Budget 2026 will continue to deliver tangible benefits for rural community groups.
I would encourage community groups to visit my department’s website www.gov.ie/drcd to ensure they are aware of funding opportunities as they become available.
413. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to specify what the €3 million allocated to community centres will be used for; the amount that will be used for the provision of community childcare, that is, creche, Montessori, breakfast clubs and after school clubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56124/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Community Centre Investment Fund (or CCIF) was introduced to provide high quality, accessible, community spaces and has provided some €110 million since 2022 for the enhancement and refurbishment of existing community centres and the construction of new centres.
As part of Budget 2026, I was delighted to announce increased funding for the programmes that are delivering on this priority. This includes an increase in the annual budget for the CCIF by €3 million to €20 million.
I am committed to delivering further iterations of the scheme in the coming years in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government for this to become a permanent rolling fund. A decision in relation to the timing of further iterations and the measures to be included will be made in due course.
It should also be noted that the CCIF is a capital funding stream and is not for directly funding the provision of services, many of which are funded by other government departments.
414. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the reason funding to the LEADER programme has been cut year-on-year in the 2024, 2025 and 2026 Budgets; which aspects of the programme will be affected by these cuts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56125/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe LEADER programme is co-financed by the European Commission under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), through the European Agriculture Fund for Rural Development. It is a multi-annual programme, with allocations being linked to a programming period set at EU level, rather than an annual basis.
The total amount of funding allocated to LEADER for the period of 2021-2027 is €250 million. This funding is made up of €70 million for the Transitional LEADER programme for the years 2021 and 2022, and €180 million for the 2023-2027 LEADER programme, maintaining the level of funding at €250 million for the 7 year period, in line with the previous 2014-2020 LEADER programme.
The funding allocations for each sub-regional area are provided to Local Action Groups (LAGs) at the outset of each programme to provide them with greater flexibility managing their budgets over the programming period. Funding is then paid out by my Department as costs are incurred and claims for payment are submitted.
Given the structure of the LEADER programme, it is expected that the pattern of expenditure would not be evenly spread over each year. For example, certain years can include expenditure in respect of more than one programming period. In other years expenditure can be lower as LAGs focus on engaging with applicants throughout the country to develop and progress high quality project applications.
The original €180 million budget for the 2023-2027 LEADER programme has not been reduced and will be made available by my department as projects are completed over the programming period.
415. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the amount that will be allocated to Men’s and Women’s Sheds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56126/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI believe that the emergence of Men’s Sheds and Women's Sheds has been a very positive development for communities across Ireland and I am fully committed to supporting Men's Sheds and Women's Sheds in the valuable work they do.
My Department provides funding to Men's Sheds and Women’s (Sister) Sheds under various funding supports, including:
• The Local Enhancement Programme (LEP);
• The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2024 - 2028 ; and
• The LEADER programme.
Men’s and Women's Sheds can apply individually for all of these schemes.
In addition to these schemes, my Department has channelled funding through the Irish Men’s Sheds Association (IMSA) to distribute directly to Men’s Sheds. I was pleased to announce a financial package with the IMSA for this year which will enable them to distribute up to €1m in supports to Men's Sheds across the country. It should be noted that my Department also provides funding to the IMSA through the Scheme to Support National Organisations.
While I understand the desire for multi-annual funding, it would not be possible for my department to provide multi-annual funding to individual men's and women's sheds on an ongoing basis for a variety of reasons, including budgetary rules and accountability requirements. My Department is working within the resources it has to provide the best supports possible at this time.
As Women’s Sheds do not currently operate under a national organisation, my department is unable to provide funding similar to that provided to Men’s Sheds via the IMSA. My Department and the Department of Health are currently working with the Women's Sheds of Ireland to support their effort to form a national body thereby facilitating access to similar multi annual funding.
416. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the reason a national loneliness strategy was not considered in Budget 2026; if he is aware that rural isolation is a public health issue; the current allocations for the provision of mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56128/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraLoneliness and rural isolation are significant challenges, particularly for individuals living in remote and disadvantaged communities and those living alone. These issues have clear implications for physical and mental health outcomes.
Addressing the issues of rural isolation and loneliness requires a range of responses across a number of Government Departments and agencies. This includes developing rural transport links, tackling social exclusion and addressing disadvantage. My Department has a number of schemes that help to address rural isolation and loneliness, often focussing on the value of communities and social inclusion within our communities. We are also engaging with other Departments on the issue of rural isolation as we develop the next iteration of the Our Rural Future Policy.
The schemes within my Department helping to address these issues include;
• The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP);
• Support for Men's and Women's Sheds;
• Local Enhancement Programme which provides small grants to local community groups;
• Community Centres Investment Fund;
• CLÁR Programme, which specifically targets rural areas experiencing depopulation and disadvantage, and;
• The Senior Alerts Scheme, which provides grants for personal emergency alarms for older people, and which is supporting thousands of older people around the country to live in their own homes and communities with confidence.
Other supports such as those for Tidy Towns groups, Agricultural Shows, Public Libraries all help to reduce social isolation and loneliness by providing outlets for people to engage with their communities.
Through these and other measures, and working with the community and voluntary sector, we aim to foster greater community engagement and improve access to services.
While a dedicated National Loneliness Strategy was not specifically included for funding as an outcome of Budget 2026, the Government remains committed to addressing the root causes of loneliness through a range of cross-departmental initiatives, including those mentioned above.
In relation to the current allocations for the provision of mental health services, I would note that primary responsibility lies with the Department of Health and the HSE. My Department works closely with colleagues across Government to ensure that rural and Gaeltacht communities are not left behind in the provision of services. I would also note that the Government has allocated €1.3 billion for mental health services in 2026, with specific emphasis on community-based care, early intervention, and outreach in rural areas.
417. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the EU funding opportunities that will be open for application for schemes under his Department and at agencies under his aegis in the next six months and in the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56456/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department and agencies actively engage in securing and administering EU funding to support rural and community development and the Gaeltacht. A number of EU-funded programmes will be open through the Department and its agencies over the next six to twelve months.
These include:
PEACEPLUS programme (2021 – 2027): With a total value of €1.1 billion, this programme funds projects across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland. It is co-funded by the Irish Government, the European Commission, the UK Government and the Northern Ireland Executive and is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). Funding is provided across a diverse range of investment areas, including revitalising rural areas and community development. The ‘Change Maker’ Funding element which will provide grants of between €10,000 and €100,000 to cross-border or cross-community projects, is currently open. Details are available at seupb.ie
Achieve Together Social Innovation Coaching and Mentoring Programme: Co-funded by the Irish Government and the European Union under the Employment, Inclusion, Skills, and Training Programme (EIST) - Ireland’s ESF+ programme for 2021-2027. The programme provides bespoke training to existing Community Services Programme (CSP) supported organisations for a 12-month period. The programme will support 225 organisations over five years with a budget of €4.67 million. Application for the 2025 cohort is currently open.
New Solutions Social Innovation Fund: Also, co-funded under the ESF+ 2021-2027, the Fund supports initiatives aimed at reducing the risk of poverty and social exclusion, with an emphasis on disadvantaged groups. A call for pilot projects under the New Solutions Fund will be launched in Q2 2026, with €4million allocated to support innovative social initiatives at the pilot stage.
LEADER Programme (2023-2027): The multiannual funding programme that is co-financed by the European Commission under the Common Agricultural Policy. The current LEADER Programme is operational across the country, with total funding of €180 million allocated across Local Action Groups (LAGs) for the period from 2023 to 2027. Prospective applicants should, in the first instance, contact their relevant LAG, through its Implementing Partner to discuss the eligibility of the project and the funding that may be available.
'Data2Sustain’: one of the co-funded EU projects in which Údarás na Gaeltachta is a partner, is a European Digital Innovation Hub that specialises in advancing digitalisation and data innovation. Data2Sustain is open to applications from businesses and public bodies to explore, test, and adopt digital technologies in Ireland’s North and West which include the Gaeltacht districts of that region -see https://data2sustain.ie/
Western Development Commission (WDC): While the WDC does not offer EU funding schemes, it participates in EU-funded projects that support its strategic objectives. Currently the WDC enable 17 regional partners to access €9.7 million in EU support to develop opportunities in areas such as the circular and creative economies, social enterprise and digital transformation. The demand for this service continues to grow and as such the WDC seek to address this regional requirement.
418. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will consider bringing forward an amendment to the Charities Act 2009, as amended by the Charities (Amendment) Act 2024, to include explicit provisions requiring all registered charities, including faith-based organisations, to uphold the principles of gender equality and non-discrimination in their governance structures, employment practices and activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56464/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Charities Regulatory Authority was established in October 2014 pursuant to the Charities Act 2009. The Authority is the State organisation responsible for registering and regulating all of Ireland’s charities, with the mandate to promote good governance practice.
Accordingly, the Charities Regulator has published the Charities Governance Code, under section 14(1)(i) of the Charities Act 2009, to encourage and facilitate the better administration and management of charitable organisations. The Code explains the minimum standards that should be met to effectively manage and control a charity.
Under this Code charities are encouraged to consider how best to maximise diversity among their charity trustees. Charities are also encouraged to include members on their board who reflect the diversity that exists within our society. The regulator provides an FAQ document and training videos to assist charities to comply with the Charities Governance Code.
The Charities Regulator also provides sample codes of conduct for volunteers and employees working with charities which includes a provision that volunteers and employees should not engage in any behaviour that is discriminatory on the grounds of gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race or membership of the Traveller community.
The matter of the nine grounds of discrimination, including gender, are covered under the Equal Status Act 2000 and as such fall under the responsibility of the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. The Equal Status Act determines that individuals that fall under the protected grounds cannot be discriminated against in relation to accessing goods and services. As with any organisation, public body or other entity, charities are subject to the Equal Status Act.
Charities that are employers are also subject to the Employment Equality Act 1998, the Equality Act 2004, Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 and Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2015 and must comply with these acts and ensure that their employment practices are not discriminatory.
On this basis, I currently have no plans to amend the Charities Act 2009 or the Charities (Amendment) Act 2024 to include such provisions as detailed by the Deputy.
