Written Answers Nos. 1140-1149
1140. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures that have been taken to ensure the proposed €60 million investment in a supercomputer will provide researchers with access to the latest computing technologies compared with cloud-based services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15036/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy notes, it is intended to proceed with the procurement of a new High Performance Computing system in the very near future. This project is being taken forward in conjunction with the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU), a joint initiative between the EU, European countries and private partners to develop a World Class Supercomputing Ecosystem. Ireland is a founding member, represented by my Department on its Governing Board.
The Joint Undertaking has also pledged some €20m in support for this project.
Securing a national supercomputer will enable the development of domestic compute and data services to aid strategic and priority scientific needs in areas such as weather forecasting, climate modelling and various areas of research. It will also support Irish efforts in relation to other advanced computing technologies such as Quantum Computing, Artificial Intelligence and Big Data, which in turn benefit from close integration and in some cases co-location with a supercomputer.
This approach is in line with that of many other small advanced economies which Ireland would view as a comparator, for instance Finland and Luxembourg, which have already secured considerable centralised HPC resources. I am confident that the new system will be a significant boost for Ireland's research community and our overall compute capabilities.
The investment will, therefore, ensure that the Irish research and innovation system benefits from state of the art advanced computing resources.
1141. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the Fund for Students with Disabilities will be expanded to include students who attend agricultural colleges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15072/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of the Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) is to assist higher education institutions in ensuring students with disabilities have the necessary assistance and equipment to enable them access, fully participate in and successfully complete their chosen course of study.
The FSD is one of the main funding sources supporting participation by students with disabilities in approved higher education courses in Ireland.
The FSD for higher education institutions is managed by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on behalf of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS).
The agricultural colleges referred to by the Deputy are not funded by my Department or through the HEA and are therefore not eligible for FSD Funding.
1142. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the amount each local authority is receiving in local improvement scheme funding, by county; the kilometres being covered under this funding; and the number of applications that have been received by each local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14938/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) provides for the upgrade of non-public rural roads and laneways that are typically not maintained by local authorities. It was re-introduced by my Department in 2017. Since then, almost €184 million has been allocated to local authorities for LIS.
While the Department provides funding for the scheme, it is managed by local authorities, which are responsible for selecting and prioritising roads. This includes receiving and processing applications, prioritising eligible roads, scheduling works, and maintaining waiting lists. Local authorities have the discretion to accept new applications to the scheme or to rely on historical waiting lists when prioritising roads for repair.
The Programme for Government commits to providing additional funding for the LIS. €17 million in LIS funding was secured as part of Budget 2026. This marks an increase in the Scheme's base allocation for 2026 compared to previous years. Details of the road works undertaken using this funding will be confirmed at year end 2026 after local authorities approve applications and undertake works.
In 2025, funding for LIS was provided in two tranches. This saw €16.55m in base funding provided to local authorities in a first tranche and a further €14m provided in July of 2025. The table attached provides the funding allocations made to each local authority in 2025, the road repairs undertaken for this funding expressed in meters squared and the number of applications each local authority indicated it had on hand at end 2025. It should be noted, that the level and cost of works delivered is impacted by factors such as geographic location, topography, and the varying condition of roads on the ground.
It is my intention that the details of the 2026 scheme will be announced imminently. This will include confirmation of local authority funding allocations. This information will be circulated to local authorities and published on the Department's website.
1143. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the total number of buildings leased by his Department, or bodies or agencies under its aegis, during 2025; the total cumulative sum paid under these leases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14026/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that my Department did not directly lease any buildings in 2025.
In relation to the bodies and agencies under the aegis of my Department I can confirm the following:
|
Agency |
No. of Buildings |
Sum paid in 2025 |
|
Pobal |
11 |
€1,570,393 |
|
Charities Regulator Authority |
0.5 |
€343,785 |
|
Water Safety Ireland |
1 |
€27,495 |
|
Western Development Commission |
0.5 |
€6,000 |
|
Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga |
1 |
€48,028 |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
1 |
€127 |
|
Foras na Gaeilge |
5 |
€695,453 |
|
Ulster-Scots Agency |
2 |
€87,030 (£76,111 Sterling) |
1144. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to provide a list of all State agencies within his Department that allocate programme and project funding to section 39, section 56 and section 10 organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14397/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are eight state agencies under the remit of my Department; the Western Development Commission, the Charities Regulator, Pobal, Water Safety Ireland, Foras na Gaeilge, the Ulster-Scots Agency, Údarás na Gaeltachta and An Coimisinéir Teanga.
Pobal administers a range of programme and project funding schemes on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and other government departments, primarily to community, voluntary and not-for-profit organisations.
Eligibility for Pobal-administered programmes is determined by programme-specific criteria rather than by any classification of organisations, and the organisations referenced would be eligible based on the programme criteria for each scheme.
None of the other agencies under my Department's remit allocate programme and project funding to section 39, section 56 and section 10 organisations.
1145. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the State agencies within his Department that have made provision for the pension auto enrolment payment as part of their allocation to funded organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14415/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht. I set out hereunder the approach being taken to support employment costs in respect of programmes funded via agencies of this Department.
My Department’s Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), is our country’s primary social inclusion intervention. The current SICAP Programme, which is administered by Pobal on behalf of the Department, runs from 1st of January 2024 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. As core funding for the programme will be increasing, a commensurate increase in the 25% portion allowable for administrative costs will assist SICAP programme implementers in meeting their obligations under the pension auto-enrolment scheme.
The Community Services Programme (CSP), also administered by Pobal, currently supports 426 community-based organisations, with a budget of €59.4m allocated for 2026, to provide local services 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 paid by 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 mitigate the impact of increases in the costs of employment. On 17th of December last, along with my colleague, Minister Dara Calleary, I announced increased funding rates for CSP funded organisations in 2026.
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 organisation.
My Department also provides current funding to numerous Gaeltacht and Irish Language organisations to administer particular schemes or carry out agreed work programmes. Where these funding arrangements provide for specific employment, grantees agree to comply with all relevant employment law and practices. My department will be taking costs relating to the pension auto-enrolment scheme into account in any new grant agreements going forward and is actively incorporating them into current schemes.
1146. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to outline the process by which nine organisations were added to a wait list following the 2023 open call for the Community Services Programme; the way these organisations were selected; what their inclusion on the wait list means for them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14443/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1147. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will outline any process by which applicants to the 2023 Community Services Programme who were not successful can receive feedback on their applications from his Department; whether they are able to apply for the 2026 round of funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14444/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1146 and 1147 together.
My department's Community Services Programme (CSP) currently supports 446 services nationally via 426 community organisations to provide local social, economic, and environmental services through a social enterprise model. On 17th of December last, along with my colleague, Minister Dara Calleary, I announced that nine organisations, that had been waitlisted arising from the 2023 CSP open call, were set to join the programme in early 2026. I also announced that there would be an open call in 2026 seeking applications for new organisations to join the CSP Programme.
The nine organisations in question had been placed on a reserve list in 2023 after reaching the threshold score for their application. They had not scored as high as the fourteen organisations that were selected to join the CSP Programme and could not be accommodated within the funding available at that time. In 2024 and 2025, additional funding provided to the CSP programme was allocated to existing organisations to contribute towards higher employment costs and, as a result, there were insufficient resources available to approve the nine waitlisted organisations in those intervening years.
My department received an additional €4m in Budget 2025 bringing the total CSP allocation for 2026 to €59.4m. As a result, the nine organisations which had been waitlisted were contacted to confirm their continued interest in, and suitability for, entry into the CSP programme. Pobal is currently engaging with the organisations to progress them towards programme entry, with each service receiving a support visit in January or February 2026. Each of these nine organisations is expected to be issued with a CSP contract commencing in the second quarter of 2026. This will support employment for eleven full-time posts and six managers and will bring the total number of organisations supported under the CSP Programme to 435.
Pobal, who administer the CSP Programme on behalf of my department, provided written feedback to all applicants that were not successful in their applications under the 2023 open call. There are no further organisations on the waitlist following last December's announcement.
The design of the 2026 CSP Open Call is currently underway and details, including eligible community services and organisations, will be announced in due course.
1148. D'fhiafraigh Deputy John Connolly den Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail, agus Gaeltachta cén uair a bheidh an Clár Seirbhísí Pobail (Community Services Programme) oscailte arís le haghaidh iarratas, cén uair a bheidh foirmeacha iarratais agus sonraí an Chláir nua ar fáil; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [14992/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTá Clár Seirbhísí Pobail (CSP) mo Roinne ag tacú le 445 seirbhís ar fud na tíre faoi láthair, trí 426 eagraíocht phobail chun seirbhísí sóisialta, eacnamaíocha, agus comhshaoil áitiúla a chur ar fáil trí mhúnla fiontraíochta sóisialta le leithdháileadh €59.4m in 2026.
Cuireann an Clár CSP ranníocaíocht chómhaoinithe bhliantúil ar fáil i leith gach post coibhéise lánaimseartha (CLA) lena bhfuiltear ag tacú agus, nuair atá gá leis, i leith an costas a bhaineann le bainisteoir a fhostú. Níl an ranníocaíocht CSP ag teacht leis an íosphá agus níl i gceist léi an costas iomlán a bhaineann le tuarastal na bpost tacaithe a chlúdach. Ní mór an ranníocaíocht a chómhaoiniú le foinsí eile, mar shampla, le hioncam a fhaightear ó úsáid phoiblí a n-áiseanna agus a seirbhísí.
Tá an Clár CSP ag cur maoiniú ar fáil i gcomhair 1,718 CLA agus 350 post bainisteora faoi láthair.
Mar is eol duit, ar an 17 Nollaig an bhliain seo caite, d’fhógair an tAire Calleary agus mise go raibh muid chun gairm oscailte a reáchtáil ar eagraíochtaí nua chun páirt a ghlacadh sa Chlár CSP go luath in 2026, de réir gealltanas sa Chlár Rialtais. Tá an ghairm oscailte seo á dearadh faoi láthair agus eiseofar sonraí, cosúil leis na seirbhísí agus eagraíochtaí pobail incháilithe, sna seachtainí amach romhainn.
Idir an dá linn, más mian le heagraíocht ar bith go ndéanfar teagmháil leo nuair a osclaítear an Clár i gcomhair iarrthóirí nua, is féidir leo sonraí teagmhála do phointe teagmhála ainmnithe a chur chuig an seoladh ríomhphoist csp@drcdg.gov.ie
1149. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to provide a list of all clubs and groups awarded a payment through the community recognition fund since its inception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14994/26]
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.
Over 1,460 projects have been awarded funding under the Community Recognition fund benefiting many clubs and groups around the country. A significant number of projects approved under the CRF are now complete and many communities, clubs and groups are enjoying the benefits that this funding has delivered.
Details of all of these projects including groups and clubs who were successful in receiving funding can be viewed on my Department’s website at the following link;
www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development-and-the-gaeltacht/collections/community-recognition-fund-funding-allocations/#2023
The emphasis is now to ensure that all projects are delivered throughout 2026 so that communities, clubs and groups can benefit from this investment.
