Written Answers Nos. 54-78
54. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the efforts his Department are making to encourage the public to utilise the asset of the public library network. [68346/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Public Library Strategy 2023-2027, "The Library is the Place: Information, Recreation, Inspiration" focuses on transforming libraries into multi-purpose, accessible community hubs and not just repositories for books.
Initiatives such as the My Open Library service enhances public libraries by extending opening hours from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., 365 days a year, providing greater flexibility and access for members.
Investment in ICT equipment by my department has further contributed to the enhancement of library services to support digital inclusion and skills training.
My department has also provided funding for the provision of sensory rooms, pods, "Magic Tables" (interactive tables for people with dementia, autism, and learning difficulties), and other sensory equipment to make libraries more inclusive and accessible for neurodivergent people and others with specific needs.
The mobile library service is an effective means of serving isolated rural and urban communities and funding has been provided from the Libraries Capital Programme 2023 – 2027 for 12 next generation mobile libraries.
Furthermore, specific strategic initiatives have been implemented with the goal of enhancing library membership, participation and visibility throughout all 330 public libraries nationwide.
The rollout of the new Library Management System in 2022, brought about “single access membership” whereby patrons have access to all public libraries nationwide with one membership card.
Ireland Reads – a national campaign to promote reading for pleasure and wellbeing - takes place throughout February each year. Supported by public libraries, it collaborates with schools and many organisations that promote literacy and the arts.
The national “Skills for Life” programme helps people build essential skills for the modern world, covering areas like digital literacy, financial awareness, well-being, and sustainable living.
The Annual National Public Libraries Open Day provides a platform for libraries across the country to showcase their diverse range of services and offerings. This year, the event was held on September 27th, following a nationwide promotional campaign. Libraries participated by hosting a wide variety of engaging events designed to appeal to visitors of all ages.
Funding of over €236,000 was allocated by my department in 2024 to support My Little Library Bag, which is an initiative under the 'First 5' Strategy. This initiative is aimed at 4 and 5 year olds starting school and encourages them to join the library. As a result, between May and November of this year, over 19,500 children have registered as new library members.
My Department is also investing significantly in the development of libraries through the Library Capital Programme and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. I am committed to ensuring libraries remain accessible, inclusive, and dynamic civic spaces for all community members.
55. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if, as a result of the introduction of auto-enrolment and the increase in the minimum wage that come into effect from January 2026, additional consideration and funding has been provided to all Departments responsible for community groups and/or organisations that rely on State funding, in response to these increases. [62157/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra63. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the provisions that have been made by Pobal and similar organisations under the remit of his Department, to ensure that organisations funded by them are sufficiently resourced to comply with the pension auto enrolment commitments for qualifying staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67894/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 63 together.
The Government's five-year strategy, Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities, which has been extended to end 2025, aims to support the community and voluntary sector. This whole of Government strategy, led by my Department, is implemented and overseen collaboratively with the sector through the Cross Sector Group on Local and Community Development.
The community and voluntary sector is quite diverse and receives financial support through a wide range of funding programmes and schemes from Government departments and agencies, including my own Department.
My Department’s Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) is our country’s primary social inclusion intervention. The current SICAP Programme, which began on 1st of January 2024 will run until the end of 2028. An increase in core funding of €1.5m has been secured for the programme in 2026, in line with the Programme for Government’s commitments to incrementally increase funding for SICAP, bringing the annual funding in 2026 to over €50m.
As part of funding arrangements for SICAP, Programme Implementers are permitted to use up to 25% of their overall annual allocation to cover administration costs associated with delivering the programme, including staff salary and pension costs.
The Community Services Programme (CSP) currently supports 426 community-based organisations, with a budget of €59.4m allocated for 2026, to provide 446 local services nationwide, through a social enterprise model. The CSP contribution is not aligned to the minimum wage and is not intended to meet the full employment cost of supported posts. The contribution must be co-funded by other sources, for example, from income received from the public for the use of their facilities and services.
My Department has no operational role in relation to the wage rates, including pension obligations arising for community development organisations, including CSP-supported organisations. These are solely matters for the Boards of those organisations, to manage as the respective employers, subject to compliance with employment legislation. Notwithstanding this, increased funding has been provided over the past three years to most CSP-funded organisations to support increases in the costs of employment.
The New Solutions Social Innovation Fund, which is co-funded through the European Social Fund+ 2021-2027, is aimed at reducing the risk of poverty and social exclusion, with an emphasis on disadvantaged groups. Under the initiative, salary and pension costs for employees are allowable costs, subject to evidenced invoice payments.
Údarás na Gaeltachta has a comprehensive strategic development approach to managing the increased demand for funding from Gaeltacht community development organisations, with a 59% increase in direct funding provided to these organisations over the past five years. The distribution of funding is based on annual work plans prepared by the community development organisations. The Community Development Unit within an tÚdarás in collaboration with the relevant officers and Regional Managers, carries out a comprehensive assessment of the applications to address the needs of the organisation.
56. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the reason for the cut in LEADER funding for 2026; and the breakdown of the reductions. [68472/25]
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.
57. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to provide an update on the progress of the national plan for the Irish language in the public service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67895/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Plan for Irish Language Public Services 2024-2030 is an ambitious and strategic 6-year plan. It is the first ever Plan of its kind in the history of the State and a central element in the move towards a fully bilingual public service under the Official Languages Acts 2003 and 2021.
Overall responsibility for the preparation of this Plan fell to the Irish Language Services Advisory Committee, established under the Act, with a range of organisations from across the public sector represented at a senior level participating.
This National Plan, which is based on five specific strategic themes, is intended to act as a roadmap for public bodies in terms of systematically increasing and improving the number and quality of Irish language public services that they provide as well as the number of staff competent in Irish they have available to provide such services - in line with the Act’s overarching recruitment target that 20% of recruits to public bodies will be competent in Irish by 31 December 2030.
The National Plan is to be supported by two action plans, which will set out the specific actions to be undertaken towards achieving the Plan’s high-level strategic objectives. Work has been underway since the publication of the National Plan on the first of these Action Plans and, following extensive consultation and engagement across Government and beyond, It is intended to submit this Action Plan to Government shortly.
For further information on progress to date, the Deputy may be interested to note that the National Plan identifies the progress reports to be prepared annually by the Advisory Committee under the Act as being the primary monitoring mechanism for the Plan. These reports are submitted to the Minister and An Coimisinéir Teanga, with An Coimisinéir Teanga in turn submitting a commentary on said reports to the Minister. Both the report and the commentary are then laid before each House of the Oireachtas. Additionally, the Minister also prepares his own annual report on the implementation of the Act in general, which is also laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. The most recent of all of the above-mentioned reports can, accordingly, be found on the website of the Houses of the Oireachtas.
59. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht his plans to address funding issues in the community sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67641/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s budget allocation for 2026 totals €611 million and represents a 6% increase on the 2025 allocation. It builds on strong investment in recent years. Across the Community Development area, total funding of €260 million will be available for next year. This in turn provides a range of funding programmes which will support communities, delivering social and economic benefits, some of which include;
• €74 million is being allocated to the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) and other social inclusion supports. This includes €13 million per annum for important community integration work, helping to support new arrivals. As part of funding arrangements for SICAP, local development companies, otherwise known as Programme Implementers, are permitted to use up to 25% of their overall annual allocation to cover administration costs associated with delivering the programme, including staff salary and pension costs.
• The Community Services Programme currently supports 426 community-based organisations, with a budget of €55.4m allocated for 2025, to provide local services through a social enterprise model. A further increase of €4m was allocated for 2026, bringing the total CSP funding allocation to €59.4m for 2026.
• The Scheme to Support National Organisation (SSNO) currently provides multi-annual funding towards core costs of national, community and voluntary organisations delivering services and supports. The current iteration of the SSNO has been extended to conclude at the end of June 2026. Under the current iteration, approximately €28 million will be provided to 82 national, community and voluntary organisations over of the period of the scheme. A new iteration of the Scheme will commence on 1 July 2026, and the application process for the scheme opened on 18 November.
• The New Solutions Social Innovation Fund, which is co-funded through the European Social Fund+ 2021-2027 (ESF+), is aimed at reducing the risk of poverty and social exclusion, with an emphasis on disadvantaged groups. Under the initiative, salary and pension costs for employees are allowable costs, subject to evidenced invoice payments.
• Údarás na Gaeltachta has a comprehensive strategic development approach to managing the increased demand for funding from Gaeltacht community development organisations, with a 59% increase in direct funding provided to these organisations over the past five years. The distribution of funding is based on annual work plans prepared by the community development organisations. The Community Development Unit within an tÚdarás, in collaboration with the relevant officers and Regional Managers, carries out a comprehensive assessment of the applications to address the needs of the organisations concerned.
61. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will outline the achievements of the Community Services Programme last year; the outlook for next year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68147/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's Community Services Programme (CSP) supports community-based organisations, to provide local services through a social enterprise model. In 2024, the Programme supported the delivery of 451 local services via 431 organisations, with a total allocation of almost €52.4m. Some 3,302 individuals were employed in a mix of management and full-time equivalent (FTE) roles during 2024.
Following an Open Call process for organisations to join the Programme, 14 new organisations were successful, with 13 manager positions and 23 FTE positions being supported from January 2024.
In June 2024, following an applications process open to existing CSP-supported organisations to apply for additional resources, 42 new CSP-supported roles were announced across 32 organisations.
Furthermore, following the increase of €1.40 per hour to the minimum wage level from 1st of January 2024, my Department reviewed the likely impact to CSP organisations and responded accordingly, increasing contributions to the high and medium rates of funding for both manager and FTE posts supported under the CSP Programme.
Last week, I officially launched the CSP Programme 2024 Annual Report, which highlights the significant achievements and progress made during 2024, highlighting its impact on communities across the country. The report is available on my Department’s website.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to hold an open call for organisations to join the CSP Programme. Following the budget process, a provision of €59.4m has been allocated to the CSP Programme in 2026. The scope to hold an open call is currently being reviewed by my department, in the context of relevant considerations such as the funding needs of existing CSP-supported organisations, organisations waitlisted from the previous call and those who wish to join the Programme. The outcome of these considerations is anticipated in the coming weeks.
62. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the planned 2025 funding allocation for the local improvement scheme (LIS); and if he will provide additional supports to local authorities with significant LIS backlogs. [68474/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not usually maintained by local authorities. Since its establishment in 2017, the Government has provided almost €184 million to local authorities for the LIS.
In August, I was delighted to announce €14 million in additional funding for the 2025 scheme. This brings the total amount invested in the LIS in 2025 to over €30 million.
The Programme for Government commits to the provision of additional funding for the LIS. €17 million in LIS funding was recently announced as part of Budget 2026. This represents an increase in the base allocation to the Scheme in previous years. My officials have engaged closely with local authorities to ensure this LIS funding is fully utilised.
As has been the case over previous years, details of the 2026 scheme, including county allocations and the scheme outline, will be circulated to local authorities and published on the department's website in the new year.
64. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht for an update on the refurbishment of Mayfield Library and St. Joseph’s community centre. [67571/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of library services is primarily a matter for local authorities, in their capacity as library authorities, under the Local Government Act 2001. Accordingly, the refurbishment of Mayfield Library is a matter for Cork County Council in the first instance.
Notwithstanding this, I am informed by Cork County Council that the position, as previously advised in July, is unchanged. The extension and refurbishment of the Frank O’Connor Library, Mayfield, incorporating St Joseph’s Community Centre, is categorised as a priority project in the Council’s Development Plan 2022-2028. I am further advised that the Part 8 planning application, as per the requirements of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), was approved by Councillors in October 2024, allowing the proposal to be progressed through the standard planning approval process. The Part 8 approval is the next step in the process of providing a modern multi-use facility. The Deputy may wish to contact the City Council directly for further information in that regard.
65. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he is considering a reintroduction of the RAPID programme in the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68433/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI was delighted to announce funding of €5 million in Budget 2026 for the introduction of a “RAPID-style” scheme, in line with the Programme for Government commitments.
The original RAPID programme ran from 2001 and closed to new applications in 2011. RAPID stands for Revitalising Areas by Planning, Investment and Development. It was a focused initiative by the Government to target the 25 most concentrated areas of disadvantage in the country.
A number of guiding principles underpinned RAPID activity in the original programme: community participation and local ownership; promotion of strategic planning; co-ordination of provision of State services; building on existing structures; complementing existing initiatives; flexibility; and targeting of “additional” services, investment and facilities.
My Department is now examining the potential formulation of the new initiative. Considerations that will inform the development of the new scheme will include, but are not limited to, the changed demographic and socio economic landscape since the previous programme, potential geographical areas to be considered for targeted support and the levels of funding already available through other schemes in my Department. I hope to be able to launch the scheme in the new year.
66. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the number of applications received per year 2023-2024 and per county for funding under the Community Recognition Fund; the number that were successful and unsuccessful, respectively, in each county; the allocation that will be provided to each county in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68520/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Community Recognition Fund (CRF) was first introduced in 2023 to recognise the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland. Under the fund a total of €100 million has been provided to local authorities to support cities, towns and villages nationwide.
Under the initial €50 million allocation in 2023, some 908 projects were approved. All projects submitted to my Department by local authorities were successful in receiving funding
Under the CRF 2024, projects were approved over three phases across 2024 and 2025. In total 569 projects have been approved under CRF 2024, while 15 applications submitted by local authorities to my Department for approval were not allocated funding. It should be noted that each local authority had a set financial allocation and were given the opportunity to replace unsuccessful applications with alternative projects in order to utilise their full allocation.
The emphasis is now to ensure that all projects are delivered in the coming months so that communities can benefit from this investment.
While there was no additional allocation in 2025 under CRF, my Department continues to support the development of community infrastructure through it range of investment programmes.
The attached table sets out the number of applications that were successful and unsuccessful under both iterations of the fund in each county.
67. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the measures being taken to ensure the long-term sustainability of organisations supported under the Community Services Programme, in light of increased funding allocations in Budget 2025 and Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68389/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government's five-year strategy, Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities, which has been extended to the end of this year, aims to support the community and voluntary sector.
The CSP Programme currently supports 426 community-based organisations, with a budget of €55.4m allocated for 2025, to provide 446 local services nationwide, through a social enterprise model. A new funding model was introduced for the CSP Programme in 2023 to better align the funding provided with the funding needs of organisations, based on objective criteria.
Considering the need for long-term sustainability, five-year multi-annual funding contracts were issued to over 420 organisations funded under the Community Services Programme (CSP) from 2023 to 2027.
The CSP contribution is not aligned to the minimum wage and is not intended to meet the full employment cost of supported posts. The contribution must be co-funded by other sources, for example, from income received from the public for the use of their facilities and services. While my Department has no operational role in relation to setting wage rates in CSP-supported organisations, increased funding has been provided over the past three years to the majority of CSP-funded organisations, to support increases in the costs of employment, within the CSP funding model.
Following the budget process, a provision of €59.4 has been allocated to the CSP Programme for 2026. The Programme for Government contains a commitment to hold an open call for organisations to join the CSP Programme. The scope to hold an open call is currently being reviewed, in the context of relevant considerations such as the funding needs of existing CSP-supported organisations, organisations waitlisted from the previous call and those who wish to join the Programme. The outcome of these considerations is anticipated in the coming weeks.
68. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he is satisfied that the €2 million increase for Foras na Gaeilge in Budget 2026 is sufficient to resolve the persistent North/South funding crisis which restricts the organisation’s operations; and the urgent steps that will be taken to ensure language organisations are not forced to impose further staff or service cuts due to funding instability. [64502/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe North-South Language Body, comprising Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency, is co-funded by my Department on behalf of the Government of Ireland, and by the Department for Communities on behalf of the Northern Ireland Executive. Budgets for the North South Institutions, including An Foras Teanga, are approved by the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC).
I attended a meeting of the NSMC in the Monaghan Peace Campus yesterday, 3 December at which the 2026 Business Plans and budgets for Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency were agreed. This enables an agreed funding allocation of €20 million between Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency for 2026.
The approved business plans provide for ring-fenced funding to be made available by my Department to Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster Language Agency to run specific programmes and activities in 2026. This includes the additional €2 million secured for North South co-operation in Budget 2026.
I am happy to announce that the funding for Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge will be increased to €2 million in 2026, the highest level ever, while funding of over €2 million will be made available for Foras na Gaeilge’s other activities.
€200,000 will be made available to the Ulster Agency for projects related to specific activities in Donegal, Monaghan and Cavan, and further south in due course.
The approval of the Language Body's business plans and budgets for 2026 provides certainty to both agencies and to the organisations and community groups across the island who benefit from the support and funding schemes they provide.
69. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht for a progress update on the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59494/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraProject Ireland 2040 and the National Development Plan highlight the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) and Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) as being key measures in achieving Ireland’s the long term strategic priorities and these schemes are designed to operate in a parallel and complimentary fashion.
The URDF is administered by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and established to support more compact and sustainable development, through the regeneration and rejuvenation of Ireland’s five cities and other large towns with populations of over 10,000.
Administered by my department, RRDF is a major capital investment scheme. It seeks to support large-scale, ambitious projects which can achieve sustainable economic and social development in rural areas in line with the Town Centre First Policy. The focus of the RRDF is on rural towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000 people. To date, the RRDF has allocated over €613 million for 273 projects across Ireland.
Calls for applications to the RRDF are sought under two categories. Category 1 relates to large scale capital works projects with all necessary planning and consents in place and are ready to proceed. Category 2, which typically provides funding of up to €1m per project, relates to projects which may planning permissions and statutory consents and further development to become ready for Category 1 status.
I was delighted to recently announce successful projects under the Fourth Call for Category 2 applications, with funding of over €20.5 million being allocated to 30 landmark regeneration projects in rural communities across the country. I can also confirm it is my intention to launch a Call for Proposals for larger scale Category 1 RRDF projects in the near future.
I am committed to ensuring that the RRDF can continue to support high quality and transformational projects across rural Ireland in line with the objectives of Our Rural Future and the Town Centre First policy.
70. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he has considered reviewing the remit of the Charities Regulator to ensure it reflects the evolving needs of the charity sector, particularly in areas such as governance, transparency and compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68347/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Charities Regulator was established in October 2014 in accordance with the Charities Act 2009. While the Charities Regulator is under the aegis of my department, it is fully independent in the performance of its statutory functions.
The Charities Regulator is the statutory body 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 the Charities Act, the Charities Regulator also has the authority to remove charities from the register for non-compliance with their requirements under the law. To date, 55 charities have been removed from the register for failing to file their annual report.
As part of the oversight and governance arrangements currently in place, officials from my Department meet with the Regulator on a regular basis to discuss the work of the Regulator and its remit. I am satisfied with the current arrangements in place and as such I do not have any plans to formally review the remit of the Charities Regulator.
71. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the initiatives his Department is implementing to combat rural isolation in Offaly, particularly for older people and those without access to transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68167/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAddressing the issue of rural isolation requires a range of responses across Government Departments and agencies. My Department has a number of funding programmes which help to address rural isolation issues in communities including Offaly, focusing on the value of communities and social inclusion within our communities.
My Department provides funding to tackle social isolation and support those in our communities in most need of assistance through schemes such as the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), the Community Services Programme (CSP), the Seniors Alert Scheme, and the Local Enhancement Programme (LEP).
SICAP is Ireland’s primary social inclusion funding intervention, delivered locally by Local Development Companies to help those in the greatest need access supports to enable participation in communities. Offaly Local Development Company operate a range of services and supports aimed a reducing social isolation.
My Department’s CSP currently supports over 420 community organisations to provide local social, economic and environmental services that meet identified needs and provide employment locally and address disadvantage, contributing to sustainable, inclusive and empowered communities. Examples of organisations operating in Offaly include:
• North Offaly Community Development Network (NOCDN) is supported through an allocation of €175,500 for 2025 to provide a range of services, including home and garden maintenance to older and vulnerable people throughout North Offaly.
• Offaly Integrated Local Development Company has been allocated €106,500 for 2025 to support a meals-on-wheels distribution service in West and South Offaly.
• B.L.C. Developments Company has been awarded €49,860 in 2025 to operate meals-on-wheels and Active Age programmes across two community facilities.
My Department’s Senior Alerts Scheme provides grants for personal emergency alarms for older people. This scheme is supporting thousands of older people around the country to live in their own homes and communities with confidence.
In June this year I announced that the €7 million provided for the LEP scheme in 2025 will support almost 4,500 community groups delivering over 5,400 individual projects. In Offaly this supported 145 groups with combined funding of over €177,000. These projects include support for social clubs, choirs, and sports clubs. The scheme also supports Men’s and Women’s Sheds, which play an important role in reducing isolation. Additionally, in May, I announced €1 million in funding for Men’s Sheds. This funding will provide grants of up to €3,000 for sheds across the country.
Other supports such as those for Tidy Towns groups, Agricultural Shows, and funding for Public Libraries, all help to reduce social isolation and loneliness.
While transport matters are the responsibility for the NTA and the Minister for Transport, I would note that the TFI Local Link Laois Offaly service provides rural bus transport services across Offaly with services including Regular Rural Services and Door-to-Door Services.
72. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the way in which his Department is co-ordinating with other Departments and local authorities to ensure adequate access to services, such as childcare, GPs and dental services, in rural parts of Ireland, in particular County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68005/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraOur Rural Future, the whole-of-government policy for sustainable rural development in Ireland, seeks to ensure that rural areas are attractive places for people to live, work and raise their families in. In line with this, one of the priorities in the policy is to improve access to services for people in rural areas.
While significant progress has been made in recent years, Government recognises the importance of continuing the level of supports and investment in rural areas.
Accordingly, the Programme for Government includes a commitment to publish and implement a new Our Rural Future policy from 2026. The process of developing this strategy is well underway.
The issues around access to essential services for people living in rural areas have featured strongly in our consultations to date, including an in-person workshop in Ballina, Co Mayo last May, and will continue to shape its development.
Informed by the extensive public and stakeholder engagement already undertaken, a consultation document setting out the proposed key themes and priorities for the new policy was published on 17 November.
Ensuring equitable and timely access to high-quality healthcare services and supporting families in rural communities by improving access to affordable childcare services are identified as priorities under Pillar One of the new policy consultation document.
The responsibility for delivery of these services falls under the remit of the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, and the Department of Health respectively. Engagement with these Departments, and others in respect of other policy areas, is ongoing in order to secure ambitious commitments for delivery under the new plan as we continue our whole-of-Government approach to this next phase of Ireland’s rural development policy.
Within my own Department, I am committed to ensuring that schemes and supports in place retain a clear focus on supporting the vibrancy and sustainability of rural areas.
Government is committed to building on the success of Our Rural Future and securing a more sustainable and resilient future for our rural communities.
78. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on the implementation of the National Cyber Security Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60387/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s second National Cyber Security Strategy, published in 2019, came to a close at the end of 2024. It set out 20 collaborative measures with the aim of meeting a range of objectives, including to improve the ability of the State to respond to and manage cyber security incidents and to improve the resilience and security of public sector IT systems to better protect data and services. A Mid-Term Review of the Strategy published in May 2023 saw the inclusion of a further 18 new measures to be met within its lifetime.
I expect to be in a position to publish the End-of-Strategy report shortly which will set out progress made on implementing these measures at the end of 2024.
Preparations for the successor strategy are underway in my Department. This strategy will incorporate obligations arising from the revised EU Network and Information Security Directive (NIS2 Directive) alongside other national commitments relating to cyber security such as those set out in the Programme for Government and the National Development Plan.
A public consultation process will be launched soon to gather input from citizens, academia, industry, and other key stakeholders. These submissions will be reviewed and taken into consideration throughout the process of formulating priorities and specific measurable goals for the third Strategy.
Officials in my Department are currently consulting with the National Cyber Security Centre as well as other relevant Government Departments and Agencies including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Defence on developing this strategy. Care will be taken throughout the strategy development process to ensure appropriate alignment with other relevant strategies including the Maritime Security Strategy and the Digital and AI Strategy.
I expect to be in a position to publish the Third National Cyber Security Strategy early in 2026.
