Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 March 2026
470. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the main policy achievements of his Department since 22 January 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23083/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 22 January 2025, my Department has delivered significant policy and programme achievements across rural development, community development, and the Gaeltacht and the Islands. The work of my Department is very much framed by it's Statement of Strategy 2025-2028, which is available here -Statement of Strategy https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development-and-the-gaeltacht/collections/statement-of-strategy/.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to publish and implement a successor to the Our Rural Future policy. After an extensive consultation processes, and a review of the previous policy by the OECD, work on a successor policy is nearing completion. As with previous rural development policies, this will be a whole of Government policy, led by my Department. I look forward to bringing this to Government in due course.
My Department is also currently developing a new National Volunteering Strategy, which will also fulfil a commitment in the Programme for Government. The role of volunteers is vital to a range of work supported by my Department and this policy will help support this vital sector. Work is also ongoing on a successor strategy for the community and voluntary sector, again with extensive consultation a key part of that work.
I would also note that, with regard to the Gaeltacht area, Government recently approved the Action Plan for Irish Language Public Services 2026-2028, and the Údarás na Gaeltachta (Amendment) Bill has been brought through Committee Stage and is now at Report stage.
In addition, implementation is ongoing across other policies, including:
• Town Centre First Policy (2022)
• Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors (2023 – 2027)
• Ár nOileáin Bheo (2023 – 2033)
• Trading for Impact (2024 – 2027)
• The Library is the Place (2023 – 2027)
• The National Philanthropy Policy (2024 – 2028)
• The 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language (2010 – 2030) and associated 5-Year Action Plan
• The Digital Plan for the Irish Language (2023 – 2027)
• The Strategy for Irish Language Based Arts (2024-2027)
• The National Plan for Irish Language Public Services (2024 – 2030)
The implementation of this framework of policies has seen the delivery of significant funding to rural, urban and Gaeltacht communities in 2025 and to date in 2026. This is delivered through a range of schemes, and examples of this funding include;
• €159 million was secured in Budget 2026 for the Gaeltacht, Irish Language and Islands Programme, an increase of over €36 million
• An investment of €35.7 million was announced under the NDP for the development of Inis Oírr pier
• €20 million joint funding was approved for Foras na Gaeilge and Ulster-Scots Agency
• Increased funding for both Gaeltacht Support Schemes and Irish Language Support Schemes.
• A further €31 million has been announced under the Community Recognition Fund supporting communities welcoming new arrivals
• €26 million was approved for over 100 projects under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme
• €25 million for 284 outdoor recreation projects – the largest approval to date under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme
• €21 million has been announced to support improvements to 369 community centres under the Community Centre Investment Fund
• €20.5 million under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund for 30 projects nationwide
• €17.5 million was announced for Local Authorities to upgrade rural roads and laneways under the Local Improvement Scheme
• €14 million for 238 projects under the CLÁR programme - the highest allocation since the scheme was reintroduced in 2016. Related to this, a commitment given in the Programme for Government to conduct a comprehensive review of the eligibility criteria of CLÁR was delivered in March (2026) with 110 areas added across 20 counties
• In 2025 €7 million was allocated for over 5,400 small community grants under the Local Enhancement Programme with a further €7 million available in 2026
• Increase of €4 million for the Community Services Programme, with its annual allocation increasing from €55.4 million to €59.4 million.
My Department will produce its annual report later this year, providing a comprehensive report on all progress during 2025. Taken together, the policy platform and range of programmes and schemes operated by my Department are having hugely positive impacts for communities across the country, and for the Gaeltacht, the Islands, and the Irish Language.
