Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
1267. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the total level of Exchequer funding spent by his Department on funding NGOs, by organisation, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11804/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1268. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the total level of Exchequer funding spent on funding NGOs by his Department, in each of the years since 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11822/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1269. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the assessments that are carried out to determine the level of Exchequer funding that any NGO receives from his Department on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11840/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1267, 1268 and 1269 together.
My Department operates a range of capital and current schemes which allocate funding to a wide range of bodies, including local authorities, state agencies, local development companies, and community and voluntary groups. While there is no agreed definition of what constitutes a non-governmental organisation, schemes aimed at addressing disadvantage, promoting social inclusion, and developing the Gaeltacht and Irish language, would often support community and voluntary type groups which may be considered as non-governmental organisations.
One example of such a scheme would be the Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO). This is a key departmental programme which provides multi-annual funding towards core costs of national community and voluntary organisations that demonstrate good governance and deliver services and supports that have a focus on one or more of the following: addressing poverty, social exclusion and promoting equality. The Scheme is administered by Pobal on behalf of my Department. Allocations are provided based on a competitive application and assessment process. The current scheme commenced on 1 July 2022 and finished last December. Over the course of that iteration of the Scheme, €24 million was allocated to 82 national organisations. The 2026-2029 Scheme closed for applications in December, and applications are currently being assessed.
A wide range of other schemes, including the Community Services Programme, the Local Enhancement Programme, and Social Enterprise supports, would also provide supports to community type organisations that are providing community supports or activities.
Funding allocations made by my Department, across schemes and in tabular format, are available on my Department's website: www.gov.ie/drcdg
