Written Answers Nos. 511-526
511. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Health the total amount paid to agencies for the supply of nurses to Wexford General Hospital in each of the years 2023, 2024 and 2025, in tabular from; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23499/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
512. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Health the total amount paid to agencies for the supply of health care assistants to Wexford General Hospital in each of the year 2023, 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23500/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
513. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to roll out a school-based oral health promotion initiative to all primary schools (details supplied); if her Department is carrying out any work in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23519/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the HSE has responsibility for delivering public oral healthcare services, including oral health promotion programmes, and for implementing the National Oral Health Policy in respect of reform of service provision, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
514. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if she will meet with an organisation regarding their oral health promotion initiatives (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23520/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the HSE has responsibility for delivering public oral healthcare services, including oral health promotion programmes, and for implementing the National Oral Health Policy in respect of reform of service provision, the Dental Health Foundation is advised to approach the HSE to discuss its proposals.
515. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of the concerns of student veterinary nurses regarding their placement conditions (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23294/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraClinical placements for students are arranged directly between Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and the relevant placement providers. In some sectors for example, nursing and midwifery placements are arranged with the Health Service Executive (HSE). My Department does not have a direct role in the organisation, funding, or remuneration of clinical placements.
Any decision to provide payment for work undertaken while on placement is a matter for the placement provider in each sector. Remuneration arrangements for student nurses during HSE placements fall outside my Department’s remit, and similarly, my Department has no role in determining payment for students undertaking veterinary nursing placements.
However, I am conscious of the need for financial supports for students on mandatory placements. Students on placements can sometimes incur additional costs, such as transport, and as they are often on placement full-time, lack the ability to work part-time to support themselves. The Programme for Government 2025 commits to examining the introduction of a placement grant for students on mandatory placements, and my officials are currently exploring ways in which this support can be provided to such students.
In addition there are currently a range of financial supports is available to students, including the Student Grant Scheme administered by SUSI and the Student Assistance Fund (SAF). The SAF provides additional support, on a confidential and discretionary basis, to students who might otherwise be at risk of not continuing their studies due to financial hardship. Further information is available from the Access Office in each institution and on www.studentfinance.ie.
516. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress on the Wexford campus of the South-East Technological University; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23479/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for his question regarding the proposed SETU Campus in Wexford. SETU is currently developing its Preliminary Business Case, in collaboration with Waterford and Wexford ETB, to deliver a new tertiary campus in Wexford town incorporating Higher Education, Further Education, and Research.
I understand that a number of engagements have already taken place between SETU and WWETB on this initiative, and that a full business case proposal is expected to be prepared and submitted in the coming months. Both the HEA and my Department stand ready to evaluate the proposal once it has been developed and submitted.
In parallel to the work that is ongoing in developing the business case proposal, Wexford County Council (WCC) are progressing the purchase of a 48.5-acre site by way of a compulsory purchase order (CPO). Wexford County Council issued the “Notice of Entry” under the compulsory purchase order process in November 2025 and have now taken active possession of the lands.
This is a key strategic acquisition which will hugely benefit Wexford and the South East. The Tertiary education campus is just one component of an overall masterplan for the area which will also include a range of other different uses including housing, schools, sports facilities and transport links. Wexford County Council are leading out on developing the overall masterplan for the area.
517. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on contracted training within the WWETB; the contracted training that has been reinstated; the proposals he has for contracted training in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23480/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraContracted training plays an important role in the delivery of Further Education and Training (FET) provision across the ETB sector including Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board (WWETB). It enables WWETB to engage external providers where specialist expertise is required and to respond flexibly to local learner and employer needs across the South-East region. Contracted training is an operational matter for each ETB, and my Department does not have a role in these day-to-day decisions.
However, I assume the Deputy may be referring to recent reports regarding a Request for Tender for contracted training issued by the Education Procurement Services (EPS) in September 2025 on behalf of the ETBs. EPS discontinued the process on 19 February 2026, following legal advice, to ensure fairness and full compliance with procurement rules.
Deputy, there is no requirement to reinstate contracted training, as provision has not ceased. WWETB and other ETBs are maintaining continuity of provision through existing framework contracts and, where needed, local procurement in line with public procurement requirements. ETBI has provided interim guidance to all ETBs to support a consistent approach. Work is now underway between EPS and ETBI to initiate a new national procurement process, with a Prior Information Notice to issue shortly. This will support the continued delivery of high-quality and responsive contracted training across all regions including the South-East region.
518. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 65 of 4 December 2025, if he or his Department is considering a reintroduction of the RAPID programme in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23218/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current Programme for Government commits to the establishment of a new communities initiative, similar in style to the previous RAPID (Revitalising Areas by Planning, Investment and Development) programme, where all state agencies work together to implement community development and town-centre rejuvenation. Capital Funding of €5 million was announced in Budget 2026 for the introduction of the new programme. My Department is currently examining the potential formulation of this programme. Considerations that will inform the development of the new programme 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. The original RAPID programme was established in 2001. It was an area-based approach to disadvantage, representing a focused initiative by Government to target the most concentrated areas of disadvantage in the country. It is expected that the new programme will launch in the coming weeks.
519. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 2168 of 4 November 2025, when he expects Community Services Programme to open for funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23219/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's Community Services Programme (CSP) supports 445 services nationally via 426 community organisations to provide local social, economic and environmental services through a social enterprise model. A further nine organisations, which were waitlisted from the 2023 Open Call, are approved to join the CSP Programme in 2026 bringing the total number of funded organisations to 435 in 2026. An allocation of €59.4m was made in Budget 2026 to support the CSP Programme for 2025, an increase of €4m from 2025. It currently provides funding towards 1,717 full-time equivalents and 350 manager positions. Under the Programme for Government, a commitment was made to open the Community Services Programme for new applications. The design of the Open Call for applications to the CSP Programme is almost complete and the details, including eligible community services and organisations, will be announced very soon.
520. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the housing incentives being put in place to ensure that the Irish language is protected and flourishes in County Kerry going forward; the steps being taken to ensure Irish speakers continue to live, work, retire, return or relocate to the Kerry Gaeltacht, , Corca Dhuibhne, Dingle Peninsula and Uíbh Ráthaigh, Iveragh Peninsula.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23301/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt should be noted that housing policy and housing supports or incentives are a matter for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. That said, the provision of housing for those living and working in Gaeltacht areas is an extremely important issue as it is essential to developing the language, services, employment, entrepreneurship and other opportunities in the Gaeltacht. Minister James Browne and I have been working closely on this issue with our officials since my appointment as Minister. The recently published Government Housing Plan contains a commitment by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to publish a National Planning Statement for the Gaeltacht in the first half of 2027, while also stating that the feasibility of Údarás na Gaeltachta working with Uisce Éireann and local authorities to support housing construction for Irish speaking communities will be examined. I have recently facilitated a meeting between Údarás na Gaeltachta and Uisce Éireann with a view to ensuring that progress is made on this matter without delay. It is worth noting, however, that Údarás na Gaeltachta has a secondary role in this space as the primary responsibility lies with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the local authorities. My Department provides a number of supports in County Kerry in order to support the Irish language and to strengthen its use as the main language of the Gaeltacht community. Earlier this month, I undertook a two-day visit to Kerry which incorporated visits to the West and South Kerry Gaeltacht language planning areas. I was delighted during my visit to launch and visit projects approved for over €12m in funding from my Department and its agencies. I was also pleased to announce 23 new jobs in Net Feasa Ltd, a technology company based in Daingean Uí Chúis. This will double the company's workforce within 3 years. In addition, I officially opened gteic Uíbh Ráthach in south Kerry - a facility built with over €2.5m of investment from my Department, with match-funding being approved by Údarás na Gaeltachta. Facilities such as this are key to ensuring Gaeltacht areas in Kerry remain accessible and appealing to those wishing to move back home to the Gaeltacht or indeed those wishing to do business in Gaeltacht areas. Údarás na Gaeltachta, as the regional authority responsible for the linguistic, economic, social, and cultural development of the Gaeltacht, provides various supports to the Kerry Gaeltacht. In 2025, Údarás na Gaeltachta supported various enterprises in the Kerry Gaeltacht including:
• Outwest Clothing Ltd in Daingean Uí Chúis
• Drioglann Uisce Beatha in Daingean Uí Chúis.
• Mara Beo Teo aquarium in Daingean Uí Chúis
• 911 people were employed in Údarás na Gaeltachta Kerry-based client companies in 2025, while 63 new jobs were also created in the county. The Gaeltacht Act 2012 provides the statutory framework for undertaking the language planning process on a coordinated basis. The public, the voluntary sector, the public sector and the private sector work together to support the Irish language in the various geographical areas as recognised under the Act.
Two Language Planning Areas, Ciarraí Thiar and Ciarraí Theas, are implementing language plans in the county. Annual funding of €180,000 is provided for the plan of Ciarraí Thiar and €120,000 for Ciarraí Theas. The Irish language in both Corca Dhuibhne and Uíbh Ráthach are supported by this funding and by the language planning process.
In addition, the following annual funding is being provided for the implementation of Gaeltacht Service Town plans in Kerry:
• €120,000 for Daingean Uí Chúis and
• €96,000 for the towns of Tralee and Cathair Saidhbhín.
In conjunction with the Language Planning Process my Department provides funding to a number of Irish Language organisations includingTuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta, Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta, Muintearas Teo. and Ealaín na Gaeltachta to provide language-based services in the Kerry Gaeltacht. Language Planning Officers employed in the prescribed Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas and Gaeltacht Services Towns work in conjunction with these organisations to further implement and develop the approved language plans and the organisations' work programmes.
The Department’s long-standing schemes such as the Language Assistants Scheme, the Summer Camps Scheme and the Gaelic Games Programme are all available in the Kerry Gaeltacht thanks to funding provided by my Department.
In addition, current funding is provided to Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne to carry out an agreed programme of work for the benefit of the Gaeltacht community in the region. Capital funding is also available under the Community and Language Support Programme for Irish language/Gaeltacht community organisations and committees to provide community and language resources.
Also, it is anticipated that the employment opportunities offered through recruitment targets set out in the Official Languages Act, 2003, will have a positive impact on public bodies and society alike by ensuring that a sufficient number of suitably qualified personnel are available to provide public services through Irish to Gaeltacht communities and Irish speakers. This is particularly so in the case of those public bodies that have offices in the Gaeltacht and provide services in and to the Gaeltacht, as they will have a duty to provide those services through the medium of Irish, in addition to those offices operating through the medium of Irish.
In addition, a wide range of initiatives relating to the development of pathways to various roles with the Irish language are being examined under the Action Plan for Irish Language Public Services 2026-2028 published by my Department earlier this year, including apprenticeship programmes, internships, returneeships and work experiences. Given that a number of Irish-medium primary and post-primary schools are recognised as DEIS schools, both within and outside the Gaeltacht, and some Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas scoring below average on the deprivation index, it is expected that many of the measures included in this Action Plan will have a positive impact on jobs, particularly in relation to localised employment opportunities, particularly in Gaeltacht areas.
My Department is committed to supporting the Irish language and strengthening its use as the main language of the Gaeltacht community in County Kerry and this is clearly conveyed by ongoing investment in the area, the impact of the language planning process, and the impact of the Official Languages Act, 2003. The Department's policies also create opportunities for employment in Gaeltacht areas in Kerry.
521. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the steps being taken to promote the Irish language in the Kerry Gaeltacht, Corca Dhuibhne, Dingle Peninsula and Uíbh Ráthaigh, Iveragh Peninsula; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23302/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Gaeltacht Act 2012 provides the statutory framework for undertaking the language planning process on a coordinated basis. The public, the voluntary sector, the public sector and the private sector work together to support the Irish language in the various geographical areas as recognised under the Act. The language is supported as the community and family language of the Gaeltacht and of other areas outside of the Gaeltacht through the preparation and implementation of language plans at community level. The purpose of the language plans is the strengthening of language usage in the context of family, community, education social, business and public affairs.
The following sets out the language planning criteria set out under the Gaeltacht Act:
the education system, including early education services;
childcare, pre-school and family support services, including language support services;
services for young people and other age groups;
learning opportunities outside of the education system;
the business sector;
community organisations and cooperatives;
the media;
public services;
physical planning and development;
social and recreational services; and
use of Irish in the community, the community's attitude towards it and how much the community in general supports the language plan.
Elements of the language planning process are being implemented under the Gaeltacht Act, 2012 in Co. Kerry. Two Language Planning Areas, Ciarraí Thiar and Ciarraí Theas, are implementing language plans in the county. Annual funding of €180,000 is provided for the implementation of the Ciarraí Thiar plan, in addition to €120,000 annually for the Ciarraí Theas plan.
In addition, the following annual funding is being provided for the implementation of Gaeltacht Service Town plans in Kerry:
• €120,000 for Daingean Uí Chúis and
• €96,000 each for the towns of Tralee and Cahersiveen.
In tandem with the Language Planning Process, my Department provides funding to a number of Irish Language organisations - Tuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta, Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta, Muintearas Teo. and Ealaín na Gaeltachta - delivering language-related services in the Kerry Gaeltacht. Language Planning Officers employed in the prescribed Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas and Gaeltacht Service Towns work in conjunction with these organisations to further implement and develop the approved language plans and the organisations' work programmes.
There is also a range of current schemes funded by my Department in all of the Gaeltacht areas to support the language planning process. The Department’s long-standing schemes such as the Language Assistants Scheme, the Summer Camps Scheme and the Gaelic Games Programme are all available in the Kerry Gaeltacht. In addition, current funding is provided to Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne to carry out an agreed programme of work for the benefit of the Gaeltacht community in the region.
Finally, capital funding is also available under the Department's Community and Language Support Programme for Irish language and Gaeltacht community organisations to provide community and language, while Údarás na Gaeltachta supports the employment of nearly 10,000 people in its network of client companies.
522. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the details of all grant aid allocated to County Kerry under all schemes operated under his Department since 1 January 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23303/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department operates a large number of current and capital schemes aimed at supporting both rural development, community development and the Gaeltacht and the Irish language. The main capital investment funding delivered by my Department is through the rural development programme. This work is underpinned by the national rural development policy, Our Rural Future, and other policy documents such as the Town Centre First and the National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027.
The key capital investment programmes include:
• the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF)
• LEADER
• the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS)
• the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS)
• the CLÁR programme
• the Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF), and
• the Community Recognition Fund (CRF).
There are also a range of other smaller supports including the Local Enhancement Programme (LEP)/ Community Enhancement Programme (CEP), the Walks Scheme, Tidy Towns, Connected Hubs and Broadband Connection Points.
In 2025, County Kerry was allocated approximately €24.4 million in funding through the wide range of schemes operated by my Department.
Some examples of the significant capital investment in County Kerry in 2025 include:
• €315,000 was awarded under the Community Recognition Fund to refit the pool system of the Kerry Aqua Dome
• €500,000 was also provided under the Community Recognition Fund to upgrade Derreen Sports Complex in Killarney
• €100,000 was allocated under the Community Centre Investment Fund to extend Cahirciveen Social Services Centre and provide improved meeting facilities
• Community Recognition Funding of €81,300 was provided for a walking track at Glenbeigh Glencarr GAA and €50,000 was allocated from the same programme to Glenbeigh Community Garden/Sensory Garden
To date in 2026, over €11.9 million has been allocated to Kerry from the various schemes operated by my Department, this includes over €1.1 million to upgrade rural roads and laneways through the Local Improvement Scheme.
Kerry has seen significant investment from my Department and earlier in March I was delighted to visit the county to unveil projects worth €12 million.
Information in relation to the broad range of schemes, and the details of the hundreds of individual allocations made under these schemes to groups across the country, including Kerry, is available in tabular form on my Department’s website at gov.ie - [Funding allocated by the department]: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development-and-the-gaeltacht/collections/funding-allocated-by-the-department/
523. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht whether central guidance exists across public bodies regarding the use of Irish place names, including in cases where the Irish and English versions are similar in spelling; whether his Department is considering the development of a consistent national approach to the use of Irish only place names in such cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23343/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Official Languages Act 2003, as amended, provides the statutory framework for the use of the Irish language in public administration, including the use of official Irish language placenames. Section 9A of the Act (as inserted by the Official Languages (Amendment) Act, 2021) sets out requirements for public bodies in relation to the correct use of names, addresses and titles in the Irish language in the provision of services, including a requirement that public bodies shall ensure that information and communications systems can facilitate the use of síneadh fada in Irish language text.
Following an extensive public consultation process and engagement with a range of public bodies, Ministerial Guidelines regarding Sections 9A-9D of the Act will be published shortly and will provide further guidance on the requirements regarding the visibility, accuracy and prominence of the Irish language in communications across the public service, including the use of official Irish language placenames.
Work in this regard is also being advanced in the context of the National Plan for Irish Language Public Services 2024-2030 and its first accompanying Action Plan for the period 2026–2028. Action 2.5.1 of the Action Plan provides for the use of official Gaeltacht placenames as a default in the terms of reference of the Technical Working Group, formed under the National Plan, while Action 2.5.2 addresses the issues to be resolved in relation to Irish language addressing in the Eircode system. More broadly, section 2.5 of the Action Plan states that the prescription of the use of Official Gaeltacht placenames in Irish by public bodies as a default will be examined as part of the upcoming Language Standards. Draft Language Standards, which are to replace the system of Language Schemes enacted by the 2003 Act, are at an advanced stage of preparation and will shortly be distributed for a first stage of consultation.
In the case of road traffic signs and the question of similar Irish and English placenames, the Road Traffic (Signs) (Amendment) Regulations, 1970, Statutory Instrument No. 164 of 1970, states that ‘where the spelling of a place-name is similar in both languages an Irish inscription only need be shown on the sign’. This matter is also addressed in the Department of Transport’s current Traffic Signs Manual. (www.roadguidelines.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/TSM-Chapter-1-Final-Version-3-October-2025-2025-10-22.pdf)
In regard to other matters, Irish language placenames fall into two broad categories. The first category is placenames as defined in Part 5 of the Official Languages Act 2003, (www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2003/act/32/enacted/en/print#part5) mostly consisting of the names of administrative units such as townlands (c.51,500), electoral areas, civil parishes, and also the names of natural and manmade as feature on Tailte Éireann maps. Determining the Irish forms of these names has, since 1946, largely been the responsibility of An Coimisiún Logainmneacha (Placenames Commission), now called the Placenames Committee, which oversees the research of my Department's Placenames Branch. Since 2003, the Placenames Committee also advises the incumbent Minister in making Placenames Orders which establish the legal Irish versions of placenames under the Official Languages Act. Under the 2003 Act, the Irish versions of placenames have, for the first time since the foundation of the State, the same force and effect as the English language version of the placename.
The Irish forms of some 46,800 townland names have so far been published on logainm.ie, counting completed placenames orders, draft placenames orders and other official recommendations. Under the Official Languages Act only the Irish versions of Gaeltacht placenames have any legal effect and must be used in all official contexts by the State and its public bodies. The Irish name of every Gaeltacht townland has been established in The Placenames (Ceantair Ghaeltachta) Order 2004 (www.logainm.ie/download/an-tordu-logainmneacha-ceantair-ghaeltachta-2004.pdf)and a further c.6,000 Gaeltacht placenames can be found in The Placenames Order (Ceantair Ghaeltachta) Order 2011. (www.logainm.ie/download/an-tordu-logainmneacha-ceantair-ghaeltachta-2011.pdf)
The second category of placenames consists of the names of streets, roads, squares, buildings, building groups, etc., usually collectively termed streetnames, for which local authorities are solely responsible. The then Department of the Environment issued a circular entitled “Naming of Streets and Roads, Numbering of Housed and the use of Irish” in 1986, which states that ‘Local authorities should use a bilingual format for name plates’ [if the name is not in Irish only], and that they ‘should make available the official Irish version of names of streets, roads and residential areas to ensure that Irish forms of address can be used’.
My Department is committed to ensuring that clear, consistent and practical frameworks are in place to support the increased visibility and use of Irish placenames across public bodies, and I will continue to advance this work as a priority.
524. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if Listowel could be added to the recently announced list of CLÁR 2026 funding projects (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23371/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe CLÁR programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas. Last year I approved over €14m million for 238 projects under the programme, with funding being provided for community facilities and amenities, community vehicles and specific support for island communities.
This year, following a review of CLÁR areas, I have designated an additional 110 electoral divisions (EDs) as eligible for CLÁR bringing the population covered by CLÁR to over one million for the first time.
The review was completed by the All-Island Research Observatory in Maynooth University utilising two nationally recognised datasets, based on the results from Census 2022. The Pobal HP Deprivation Index was used to identify areas experiencing socio-economic disadvantage. In parallel, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) Urban and Rural Life in Ireland classification was applied to distinguish areas based on their degree of remoteness and relative exposure to urban influence, with particular emphasis on geographical areas identified as being 'highly rural and remote'.
The review considered those EDs that were not currently designated for CLÁR. Consistent with the long -standing principles of the CLÁR programme, EDs connected with settlements with populations of 3,000 or more were excluded from consideration.
Only EDs with evidence of local areas classified as disadvantaged, very disadvantaged or extremely disadvantaged under the Pobal HP Deprivation Index were considered eligible. In addition, within the CSO Urban and Rural Life in Ireland classification, the EDs had to include local areas classified as being highly rural/remote in order to be included. These data sets were utilised to provide a transparent and robust methodology which is in keeping with the aims of the CLÁR programme.
Listowel did not meet these criteria and was thus not designated as being for CLÁR. However, five additional electoral divisions in Kerry were included. They are Arabela, Ardfert, Brewsterfield, Castleisland and Scartaglin. 89% of the area of Kerry is now designated for CLÁR.
Full details are available in the report attached at this link Review of CLÁR Designations, 2026
(https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/15223a83/CL%C3%81R_Programme_Expansion_-_Report_AIRO_20022026.pdf)
My Department provides a suite of other rural supports including the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the LEADER Programme, details of which can be found on my Departments website.
525. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the total amount allocated to each local authority under the Local Enhancement Programme for 2025, in tabular form. [23501/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) is targeted towards supporting communities that are impacted by disadvantage, as identified in the Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP) of the relevant local authority. It provides small capital grants to community and voluntary groups for the improvement/refurbishment of their facilities and/or the purchase of equipment. Some iterations of the programme have provided current funding to support local groups with ongoing running costs.
The programme operates in a complementary manner to add value to other front-line schemes and programmes being operated in communities. It is administered locally on behalf of my Department by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) across the country, with support from their local authority.
Over 5,400 approved projects were supported by the programme in 2025, with funding of €6 million allocated in capital supports, and a further €1m ringfenced for current funding to support local groups.
The attached table contains a full breakdown of the funding provided by this Department to each LCDC under LEP 2025. All local authorities have drawn down their full allocation for 2025.
The Local Enhancement Programme for 2026 was announced on 5 December 2025 and provides €7 million in capital supports to many small community groups and organisations, particularly those who serve disadvantaged communities in rural and urban areas. The closing date for submission of applications was 27 February 2026 and details of the successful projects are due to be announced in Q2 of this year.
|
Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) 2025 |
|
|
|
|
Local Authority |
Capital |
Current |
Total |
|
Carlow |
€133,776.50 |
€22,296.08 |
€156,072.58 |
|
Cavan |
€140,713.24 |
€23,452.21 |
€164,165.44 |
|
Clare |
€155,195.40 |
€25,865.90 |
€181,061.31 |
|
Cork City |
€244,188.55 |
€40,698.09 |
€284,886.64 |
|
Cork County |
€237,971.15 |
€39,661.86 |
€277,633.01 |
|
Donegal |
€260,113.08 |
€43,352.18 |
€303,465.26 |
|
Dublin City |
€562,928.93 |
€93,821.49 |
€656,750.42 |
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown |
€174,790.63 |
€29,131.77 |
€203,922.40 |
|
Fingal |
€230,423.33 |
€38,403.89 |
€268,827.22 |
|
Galway City |
€121,447.12 |
€20,241.19 |
€141,688.31 |
|
Galway County |
€183,086.45 |
€30,514.41 |
€213,600.85 |
|
Kerry |
€180,863.06 |
€30,143.84 |
€211,006.90 |
|
Kildare |
€209,430.54 |
€34,905.09 |
€244,335.64 |
|
Kilkenny |
€146,159.46 |
€24,359.91 |
€170,519.37 |
|
Laois |
€149,094.16 |
€24,849.03 |
€173,943.19 |
|
Leitrim |
€102,037.20 |
€17,006.20 |
€119,043.40 |
|
Limerick |
€238,837.56 |
€39,806.26 |
€278,643.81 |
|
Longford |
€130,994.52 |
€21,832.42 |
€152,826.93 |
|
Louth |
€205,034.86 |
€34,172.48 |
€239,207.33 |
|
Mayo |
€186,635.96 |
€31,105.99 |
€217,741.96 |
|
Meath |
€190,744.92 |
€31,790.82 |
€222,535.73 |
|
Monaghan |
€127,082.26 |
€21,180.38 |
€148,262.64 |
|
Offaly |
€159,902.94 |
€26,650.49 |
€186,553.43 |
|
Roscommon |
€131,854.05 |
€21,975.68 |
€153,829.73 |
|
Sligo |
€123,765.41 |
€20,627.57 |
€144,392.98 |
|
South Dublin |
€343,032.41 |
€57,172.07 |
€400,204.48 |
|
Tipperary |
€206,558.04 |
€34,426.34 |
€240,984.39 |
|
Waterford |
€187,959.78 |
€31,326.63 |
€219,286.41 |
|
Westmeath |
€147,718.31 |
€24,619.72 |
€172,338.03 |
|
Wexford |
€217,051.34 |
€36,175.22 |
€253,226.56 |
|
Wicklow |
€170,608.85 |
€28,434.81 |
€199,043.66 |
|
|
€6,000,000.00 |
€1,000,000.00 |
€7,000,000.00 |
526. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the total amount allocated to each local authority/county under the Community Services Programme in 2025, in tabular form. [23506/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's Community Services Programme (CSP) currently supports 426 community-based organisations, with a budget of €59.4m in 2026, to provide local services through a social enterprise model.
The CSP Programme provides an annual co-funding contribution towards each full-time equivalent position being supported, and, where warranted, towards the cost of employing a manager.
Pobal, which administer the CSP Programme on behalf of this Department, undertook a review of the funding rate categorisations in 2025. This funding rate review involved a metric review of the organisations' level of disadvantage, the number of employees from CSP Employment Target Groups and the organisations' earning potential, based on their 2023 Annual Financial Statements. As a result of this, 55 organisations were moved to a higher rate of funding, with effect from 1st of January 2026.
All funding allocations for the CSP Programme from 2018 to 2025 are available on www.gov.ie at the following link: Community Services Programme - Funding Allocations. (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development-and-the-gaeltacht/collections/community-services-programme-funding-allocations/)
The allocations by local authority for 2025 are set out below.
Allocations by County/Local Authority for the Community Services Programme 2025
|
County / Local Authority for Dublin only |
2025 |
|
Carlow |
€349,570 |
|
Cavan |
€379,230 |
|
Clare |
€1,571,543 |
|
Cork |
€3,140,146 |
|
Donegal |
€5,005,815 |
|
Dublin City |
€5,723,177 |
|
South County Dublin |
€2,640,170 |
|
Dun Laoghaire - Rathdown |
€867,175 |
|
Fingal |
€2,689,725 |
|
Galway |
€3,273,925 |
|
Kerry |
€2,049,690 |
|
Kildare |
€592,125 |
|
Kilkenny |
€668,759 |
|
Laois |
€453,226 |
|
Leitrim |
€1,715,892 |
|
Limerick |
€1,889,816 |
|
Longford |
€666,560 |
|
Louth |
€2,085,190 |
|
Mayo |
€4,902,071 |
|
Meath |
€1,216,540 |
|
Monaghan |
€1,647,885 |
|
Offaly |
€1,439,250 |
|
Roscommon |
€3,010,494 |
|
Sligo |
€928,440 |
|
Tipperary |
€970,400 |
|
Waterford |
€1,417,210 |
|
Westmeath |
€1,247,252 |
|
Wexford |
€2,781,705 |
|
Wicklow |
€1,938,135 |
|
Annual Total |
€57,261,116 |
