Written Answers Nos. 1040-1060
1040. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the full cost of phasing out student contribution charges over three years, with first cut of €1500, but netting off €500 SUSI support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45293/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe potential cost of making adjustments to the student contribution under the Free Fees Initiative may vary from year to year, depending on the number of eligible students attending higher education and the number of students availing of student contribution supports from SUSI. These variables make it difficult to estimate the potential cost over a number of years.
My Department published an options paper in 2025 where the cost of reducing the student contribution by various amounts was estimated. As part of budget 2026, I subsequently introduced a permanent reduction of €500 in the student contribution charge. This flat rate reduction reduced the rate from €3,000 to €2,500. It has an estimated cost of €52.9 million and this is the net additional cost to the State after allowing for savings that would accrue on the SUSI grant scheme.
The cost of the various options sought by the Deputy, and other potential options, are set out in last year’s options paper which is available online at www.gov.ie/en/department-of-further-and-higher-education-research-innovation-and-science/publications/funding-the-future-an-annual-options-paper-on-the-cost-of-higher-education-2025/
Ahead of budget 2027, I intend to publish the 2026 options paper. This will identify costs and potential impacts of various policy options aimed at reducing the cost of higher education. This will inform decisions ahead of budget 2027.
1041. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of increasing the HEA contribution towards graduate entry medicine tuition fees by €5,000 and €10,000 per student, respectively based on the latest available student numbers [45298/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Exchequer part-subsidises tuition fees for Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) places across all institutions, and recent budget measures have significantly increased the value of this subsidy - rising from €11,950 per student in 2021/22 to €16,930 for graduate entrants in 2026, representing approximately €13 million in annual public funding. This significantly reduces the costs faced by students, with the remaining fee levels determined by higher education institutions.
The HEA collect statistics regarding enrolment of students, the most recent data available is from the academic year 2024/2025.
Based on the 2024/2025 GEM student enrolment numbers:
The estimated cost of increasing the HEA contribution towards GEM (grant per student) by €5,000 per student is an additional c.€4.7 million.
The estimated cost of increasing the HEA contribution towards GEM (grant per student) by €10,000 per student is an additional c.€9.5 million.
My Department is committed to removing barriers to participation in tertiary education, particularly in disciplines with acute skills shortages such as healthcare. I fully appreciate the significant financial pressures facing students and their families, particularly those who are considering a Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) programme.
I have asked my officials to examine a range of potential future support models, including financial and incentive-based approaches, such as State-backed loans, as part of cross-Government work. This includes considering how any further measures might support both affordability and the retention of graduates within the Irish public health system. No decisions have yet been taken, and any proposal would require careful consideration and budgetary approval.
It is important to note that GEM students may access a range of existing supports, including the Student Assistance Fund, National Access Plan bursaries, tax relief on fees and rent, the Fund for Students with Disabilities where eligible, and the continued availability of the 1916 Bursary for eligible students progressing to GEM.
1042. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated full cost of extending SUSI to postgraduate fees for qualifying students over two years, by year, in tabular form. [45299/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the awarding authority, SUSI to determine.
Postgraduate students who meet all the conditions of the Student Grant Scheme may become eligible for the following supports:
• A student Maintenance grant which was restored in September 2024 for the first time since the financial crash with a pro-rata effect from January 2024. The annual rates and the income thresholds for maintenance grants are the same for undergraduate and postgraduate students.
• A postgraduate fee contribution of €4,500 (increased in Budget 2026 from €4,000) or a postgraduate fee grant, up to a maximum of €6,270 towards the cost of fees is available. This is dependent on the level of a student's reckonable income and meeting all other eligibility criteria. To be eligible for the fee contribution grant of up to €4,500 plus a maintenance grant, the total household income must be within the levels here www.susi.ie/eligibility-criteria/income/postgraduate-income-thresholds-and-grant-award-rates/#d.en.14684
The maximum period of grant funding available at post graduate level is 4 years in total. All previous attendance and attainment at post graduate level are considered regardless of whether a grant was received previously or not.
The eligibility criteria for student grants are reviewed annually by the Department and approved by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. All proposals made in relation to education expenditure, including student grants, are considered in the context of the annual budget.
Over the past 4 years, I have published an options paper which identifies costs and potential impacts of various policy options aimed at reducing the cost of higher education. Last year's paper can be found at this link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-further-and-higher-education-research-innovation-and-science/publications/funding-the-future-an-annual-options-paper-on-the-cost-of-higher-education-2025/
I will publish this year's paper in the autumn which will inform decision-making ahead of Budget 2027.
1043. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students accessing Arts courses over the past five years, in tabular form; and the funding which has been provided for these courses in each of the institutions in the same time period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45300/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is important to note at the outset that the term “Arts” may be interpreted in different ways in the context of higher education.
For statistical and reporting purposes, student enrolments are classified in line with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED), developed by UNESCO. Within this system, “Arts” is reflected in ISCED broad field 02: Arts and Humanities, which includes disciplines such as languages, literature, history, philosophy, media production and the creative arts. By contrast, Social Sciences are classified separately under ISCED broad field 03 and include disciplines such as economics, politics, journalism and psychology.
In the Irish context, the term “Arts” is often used to describe a range of undergraduate programmes, including Bachelor of Arts degrees. However, as programme structures and titles vary across institutions, ISCED classifications provide the most consistent basis for reporting student data.
Accordingly, the table below sets out the number of new entrants to programmes in ISCED broad field 02 (Arts and Humanities) for the most recent five years for which data is available. New entrants are defined as full-time, first-year undergraduate students entering higher education for the first time. These statistics are drawn from the Higher Education Authority’s student record system and relate only to institutions within the HEA’s remit.
ISCED 02: Arts and Humanities
|
|
2020/21 |
2021/22 |
2022/23 |
2023/24 |
2024/25 |
|
New Entrants |
8,620 |
8,395 |
8,330 |
8,170 |
7,960 |
Higher education institutions have autonomy in decision-making in relation to their academic affairs, including their course portfolio, programme design and student numbers. Institutions are funded from a range of sources, including Exchequer funding, tuition fees and other income streams, which collectively support their overall activities.
State funding is provided primarily through a recurrent block grant allocated by the Higher Education Authority under the Recurrent Grant Allocation Model (RGAM). This funding is not ring-fenced by discipline or programme.
As institutions determine their own internal allocation of resources, and as there is no requirement to report expenditure at programme or discipline level, it is not possible to identify or attribute specific amounts of funding to Arts courses, either at sectoral or institutional level.
It is important to note that trends in student enrolment in particular disciplines and programmes largely reflect changes in student demand and preferences, and are not determined by funding levels.
1044. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the first and full-year cost of hiring a full-time teacher in every local authority area, to provide Irish classes free of charge to members of the public, based on the academic year starting in September 2026. [45301/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIrish language provision is already widely available across the Further Education and Training (FET) sector, with Education and Training Boards (ETBs) delivering a substantial number of free or heavily subsidised Irish language courses nationwide. These courses range from beginner and conversational classes through to more advanced and, in some cases, accredited provision, and are delivered in a variety of accessible community and education settings. A list of Irish language courses offered in 2025 is available in the attached table.
Funding for these programmes is not allocated on a local authority basis. The Department provides funding to SOLAS, which in turn allocates resources to ETBs to deliver FET provision, including Irish language learning, based on identified regional and learner needs.
Irish language classes within this system are generally delivered by adult education tutors. Details of the relevant salary scales are available at: www.assets.gov.ie/static/documents/7d3cd7f8/Circular_0007-2026.pdf
1045. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total cost of increasing the SUSI maintenance by 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% for students. [45302/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government recognises third level education can be a significant cost for families and students. It is a Programme for Government commitment to increase SUSI maintenance rates to better support students attending further and higher education.
Previous budgets have seen all eligible maintenance grant holders receive an increase in their grant rate:
• Effective from January 2023, all maintenance grant holders received an increase in their grant rate of between 10% and 14%.
• Effective from January 2024, all non-adjacent maintenance grant rates increased by €615 and all adjacent maintenance grant rates increased by 10%.
• Also effective from January 2024, maintenance for postgraduate students was restored on a similar basis to undergraduate students.
Budget 2026 further increased all non-adjacent maintenance rates between €200 – €430. Increases were introduced on a pro-rata basis from January of this year, supporting c30,000 students who live 30km or more from their college campus with the cost of rent, travel, and day-to-day living.
Budget 2026 also increased the Special Rate income threshold from €27,400 to €28,600 in line with Social Welfare increases and increased the €500 Student Contribution Grant threshold from €115,000 to €120,000.
The Postgraduate Fee Contribution Grant was also increased in this academic year from €4,000 to €4,500.
Over the past 4 years, an options paper has been published which identifies costs and potential impacts of various policy options aimed at reducing the cost of higher education. Last year's paper can be found at this link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-further-and-higher-education-research-innovation-and-science/publications/funding-the-future-an-annual-options-paper-on-the-cost-of-higher-education-2025/
The estimated cost of increasing all maintenance rates by various amounts is included in that paper:
• 5% would cost c€10m;
• 10% would cost c€20m;
• 15% would cost c€30m;
• 20% would cost c€40m.
I will publish this year's paper in the Autumn which will inform decision-making ahead of Budget 2027.
1046. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has an any way to identify which Parliamentary Questions are AI generated; and the amount it costs, on average, to answer a Parliamentary Question. [45372/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not maintain a record of the number of Parliamentary Questions (PQs) received which may have been generated using artificial intelligence. PQs are received in the Department from the Oireachtas and all PQs are processed in the same way, regardless of how they may have been drafted. The Department does not currently use any mechanism to identify whether individual PQs have been generated using artificial intelligence tools.
In relation to costs, my department does not keep a record of an average cost arising from responding to parliamentary questions. The cost of answering questions would vary, depending on their complexity, the level of research required and the type of information sought. Responses are prepared using existing staff resources as part of the normal work of the Department and do not give rise to a discrete or separately recorded cost.
1047. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated total cost of offering free third level education to students who take the course through Irish-medium education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45401/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraHigher Education Institutions are autonomous institutions responsible for their own academic affairs including the development of relevant curriculum and student numbers on individual courses. Fee rates can vary depending on a variety of factors, including the type of course and the fee rates of a particular institution.
Determining the number of students studying Irish at third level is not straightforward, as Irish is offered as an optional component of many programmes, including most BA joint honours programmes. However, the most recent HEA enrolment figures indicate that there were an estimated 505 students studying courses through Irish in the 2024/2025 academic year, with a further 2,525 studying courses partially through Irish.
Development of a scheme to pay full tuition fee costs for all students undertaking a higher education course through the medium of Irish would require a specific engagement with providers to agree terms and conditions, including approved courses, funding arrangements, fee rates, student numbers and eligibility criteria. In this regard, it is not possible to estimate the costs sought in the absence of a specific engagement with the sector.
My Department supports Irish language provision through both core funding and specific funding streams, including an annual allocation of €900,000 to support the use of Irish among students and staff, and an earmarked allocation of €1.766 million annually to support Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge.
A Sectoral Working Group on Tertiary Education Requirements for Irish Language in the Public Sector will meet for the first time later this month. This group will examine practical ways in which Irish medium provision, and provision for Irish language skills, in the tertiary education sector, could be expanded.
1048. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); if he will provide an update on the SUSI application in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45402/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe main support available to students is the statutory based Student Grant Scheme which is administered by SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland). Under the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means. The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the awarding authority, SUSI to determine.
SUSI has received the application of the student referred to by the Deputy. In a letter to the applicant dated 20 May 2026, SUSI requested additional documentation including a Revenue Indicative Calculation and Financial accounts. SUSI received the supporting documents on 28 May 2026, and these are queued for review by SUSI’s assessment team. SUSI received in excess of 110,000 applications for the 2025/26 academic year and similar is expected for the 2026/27 academic year. The student will be informed of any decision on their application in due course.
1049. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has investigated two issues in annual accounts (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45936/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThese issues were raised in the financial statements of Trinity College Dublin (TCD) for the year ended 30 September 2025.
The financial statements disclosed that the University made a voluntary disclosure to the Revenue Commissioners in June 2024 in relation to the underpayment of VAT. A payment of €922,000 was made, including interest of €178,000 and penalties of €21,000. This matter was finalised with the Revenue Commissioners in July 2025.
They also disclosed that a payment of €77,000, including interest of €6,000, was made to the Revenue Commissioners in 2025 in respect of the underpayment of payroll taxes on benefits in kind associated with staff accommodation for the period 2021 to 2025.
The Department received confirmation from the Higher Education Authority (HEA) that this latter issue was the subject of an unprompted voluntary disclosure by the university in November 2025 and that full payment was made by December 2025. Repayment arrangements have been agreed with staff in respect of €20,600 of the liability, with the remaining balance, including interest and employer-related taxes, being met by the University from commercial income streams.
While the VAT matter has been concluded, the HEA has advised that the payroll tax matter remains under review by the Revenue Commissioners as part of a Level 2 compliance review relating to official accommodation. The university has stated that corrective measures have been implemented to address the tax compliance issues identified.
1050. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to engage with Water Safety Ireland and local authorities to extend seasonal lifeguard cover at beaches and bathing areas from the Easter period through to Halloween in order to improve safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45002/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraWater Safety Ireland (WSI) is the statutory, voluntary body and registered charity established to promote water safety and reduce drownings in Ireland. WSI has statutory responsibility for the promotion of public awareness of water safety; advancement of education related to the prevention of accidents in water; instruction in water safety; and the establishment of national standards for lifeguards.
It should be noted that the employment of lifeguards is a matter for each local authority under the Local Government Acts. Furthermore, neither my Department nor Water Safety Ireland have a remit in respect of the extension of the lifeguard season.
WSI’s Strategic Development Plan 2023-2027 operates in conjunction with Ireland’s National Drowning Prevention Strategy 2018-2027. The strategy focuses on five pillars, namely education, awareness, training, intervention and action. It sets out how Water Safety Ireland aims to reduce the number of drownings in Ireland by targeting at-risk groups.
We can see the practical application of the strategy through a number of education programmes provided by WSI. Several of these programmes are aimed at children, from the Hold Hands programmes in early learning centres, to the PAWS programme which is on the primary school curriculum, and to the GET WISE programme for secondary schools.
It is important to note that funding from my Department to Water Safety Ireland has more than doubled since 2022. I secured a 20% increase in funding for WSI in 2026, rising from €2,492,000 in 2025 to €2,992,000 in 2026.
WSI have used this funding to establish new training and education programmes, to run large-scale and targeted awareness campaigns, and to develop partnerships and expertise. My Department will continue to support WSI as they develop their education, training and awareness raising activities.
1051. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if, given the long delays experienced by some charities in having the sale of property approved; the number of staff within the office of the Charities Regulator; the vacancies within the office; whether staff levels are commensurate with delivering their duties in a reasonable timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45044/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Charities Regulatory Authority was established in 2014 and is the statutory agency responsible for registering and regulating all of Ireland’s charities, with the mandate to promote good governance practice. While the regulator is under the aegis of my Department, it is fully independent in the performance of its statutory functions.
Staff numbers at the regulator have increased from 40 in 2020 to 51 staff currently, with four vacancies.
The timeline for processing applications for sale of property or other matters depends on a number of factors. An application to the Charities Regulator for regulatory authorisation is an alternative to a High Court application and a similar standard of documentation is required. How long it takes to process an application depends heavily on the quality and completeness of the application, the type and complexity of the case, and the volume of other applications being processed at the same time.
Submitting an application to the regulator begins a three-stage legal process that is necessarily robust to protect the assets of a charity and the public benefit they provide. These stages involve a completeness check and legal review, consideration by the Charities Services Committee and final determination by the Board. In many cases, the regulator will raise queries or seek clarifications from applicants. These steps take time as they are legal processes and appropriate attention and care must be given to each application.
I believe that the staffing levels in the regulator are appropriate to carry out the duties and responsibilities assigned to the regulator. However, it should be noted that the regulator can, and does, include requests for additional staff as part of the annual Estimates process when necessary. These requests are considered as part of the wider Estimates process.
1052. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht whether for procurement spend, a purchase order can be raised within his Department's financial management systems without reference to a contract, framework agreement, procurement process or other authorising arrangement; if so, the circumstances in which this may occur [45171/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince September 2025, all payments made by my Department are processed using the Financial Shared Service System provided by the National Shared Service Office. Invoices processed through this system require a corresponding Purchase Requisition and Purchase Order in order to be paid. To raise a Purchase Order on the Financial Shared Service, the supplier needs to be active on the system, and a contract or other authorisation must be linked to the payment. For lower value procurement, below the Office of Government Procurement threshold, standard contract documentation is utilised based on the authorising arrangement put in place.
1053. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht whether an invoice can be paid by his Department without an associated purchase order having first been raised; if so, the circumstances in which this may occur; the number and value of payments made during quarter one of 2026 which were not associated with a purchase order; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45189/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince September 2025, all payments made by my Department are processed using the Financial Shared Service System provided by the National Shared Service Office.
Invoices processed through the Financial Shared Service require a corresponding Purchase Requisition and Purchase Order in order to be paid. There were no invoice payments made during the first quarter of 2026 which were not associated with a purchase order.
1054. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will provide a schedule of external and or contractor cleaning companies that are contracted to provide cleaning services to his Department; the amount his Department paid for such works in 2025 and for the first five months of 2026; and when this current contract expires. [45245/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy department has offices in Trinity Point, Dublin 2 and Government Buildings, Ballina, Co Mayo. Following the transfer of the functions of the Gaeltacht to my department in June 2025, it now also has offices in Joyce House (Dublin 2), Na Forbacha (County Galway), and Doirí Beaga (County Donegal).
Cleaning services for both Dublin offices, Trinity Point and Joyce House, are provided by 5 Star Facilities. The contract expires in April 2027. The expenditure for these services in 2025 was €27,946.59, and for 2026 the expenditure to end May 2026 was €13,274.13.
Arrangements for the offices in Ballina are overseen by Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage as lead tenant. A whole building contract for cleaning is in place with the Mount Charles Group. My department pay a portion of the costs, with costs of €14,695.56 for 2025 and €5,865.56 for 2026 to end May 2026.
Cleaning services in Na Forbacha, County Galway and Doirí Beaga, County Donegal are provided by Allpro Services. My department took over this contract in August 2025 and it will expire in June 2026. For Na Forbacha expenditure for August 2025 to December 2025 was €13,047.55 and expenditure for 2026 to end May 2026 was €15,470.85. For Doirí Beaga expenditure for August 2025 to December 2025 was €6,730.87 and expenditure for 2026 to end May 2026 was €7,678.20.
1055. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the reason an organisation (details supplied) appears to be discriminated against in the context of distribution and allocation of public funding; and the reason the support appears to be diluted and re-directed to support the set-up of entities with the aim of replacing the organisation. [45309/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department operates a wide range of funding schemes aimed at ensuring all relevant organisations can access funding to support their work. I am fully committed to supporting a wide range of organisations, including the group referenced in the information supplied by the Deputy, in the valuable work they do.
My Department provides a range of supports which are available to individual community groups including ICA groups.
These supports include -
• The €7 million Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) 2026, the results of which I will be announcing shortly;
• The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme 2024 - 2028; and
• The LEADER programme.
My Department has sought to encourage the growth of new models of community engagement, in particular with a focus on helping to address social isolation. This is not to the detriment of existing models or groups, but seeks to ensure a breadth of organisations exist so that there are opportunities for everybody to engage with their communities. The schemes operated by my Department are reviewed on a regular basis, and I will continue to ensure our schemes afford an opportunity for all relevant community groups to be supported, while also supporting new ways of promoting inclusion and participation in our communities.
I would urge all community organisations, including the organisation referenced by the Deputy, to check my Department’s website www.gov.ie/drcdg, and to engage with their Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), Local Development Companies and Public Participation Networks (PPNs), to ensure they are aware of funding opportunities as they become available.
1056. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he has an any way to identify which Parliamentary Questions are AI generated; and the amount it costs, on average, to answer a Parliamentary Question. [45377/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy department does not have a means to identify if a Parliamentary Question has been generated by AI. It is not possible to identify the amount it costs, on average, to answer a Parliamentary Question in my department. Due to the variety of issues raised, and the differing complexity, scope and timelines to which questions relate, the number and grade of staff hours required varies significantly. Furthermore, whether questions relate to bodies under the remit of the Department also impact on the time spent answering questions by both departmental staff and staff within these bodies.
1057. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht when a decision will be made on successful applications under CLÁR; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45407/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe CLÁR programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas. Last year over €14 million was approved for 238 projects under the programme, with funding being provided for community facilities and amenities, community vehicles and specific support for island communities.
The 2026 CLÁR programme was launched on 10th March with an allocation of €12 million.
The measures funded under CLÁR 2026 are:
Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities & Amenities
Measure 2: Mobility, Cancer Care, First Responder and Meals on Wheels Transport
Measure 3: Our Living Islands
The closing date for groups to submit their measure 2 applications to the Department was May 22nd with the successful projects due to be announced in Quarter 3 of 2026.
The closing date for local authorities to submit their measure 1 applications for community groups to submit applications under measure 3 is July 3rd. It is expected that announcements of successful measure 1 and measure 3 projects will be in Quarter 4 of 2026.
1058. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to provide a start date on the Knights and Conquest heritage project in Granard; the progress to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45593/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1059. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the progress on the project for the Norman Heritage Village in Granard; the progress to date; the timeframe for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45594/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1058 and 1059 together.
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) is a major capital investment programme which seeks to support large-scale, ambitious projects that can achieve sustainable economic and social development in rural areas. It provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns and villages in rural areas across Ireland. Funding is allocated to local authorities and other State-funded bodies, who take the lead role in individual projects.
As was advised in response to the Deputy's parliamentary question 311 of the 29th April last, Longford County Council is the Lead Body for the Historic Granard Motte Project. As the Lead Body for the project, which was awarded c. €2.87 million in RRDF funding, Longford County Council has responsibility for managing and delivering the works.
In developing its plans, the Council has confirmed it is seeking to develop a major tourism and amenity attraction adjacent to the site of Granard Motte, a national monument on the outskirts of Granard, Co. Longford.
Any potential start date for construction works on this project is a matter for Longford County Council and would be subject to further preparatory works. My department remains in regular contact with Lead Bodies across the range of live RRDF projects in order to support effective delivery. In this regard, the latest update from Longford County Council is that, following completion of an options appraisal report, it has selected a final option/design for the site. The Council also advises that it is undertaking some technical amendments to planned works prior to submitting a Part 8 planning application.
1060. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the reason an organisation (details supplied) is not receiving a fair and equal share in the allocation of public funding via his Department; the reason support appears to be diluted and re-directed to support the establishment of other organisations which seek to replace this organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45889/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department operates a wide range of funding schemes aimed at ensuring all relevant organisations can access funding to support their work. I am fully committed to supporting a wide range of organisations, including the group referenced in the information supplied by the Deputy, in the valuable work they do.
My Department provides a range of supports which are available to individual community groups including ICA groups.
These supports include -
• The €7 million Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) 2026, the results of which I will be announcing shortly;
• The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme 2024 - 2028; and
• The LEADER programme.
My Department has sought to encourage the growth of new models of community engagement, in particular with a focus on helping to address social isolation. This is not to the detriment of existing models or groups, but seeks to ensure a breadth of organisations exist so that there are opportunities for everybody to engage with their communities. The schemes operated by my Department are reviewed on a regular basis, and I will continue to ensure our schemes afford an opportunity for all relevant community groups to be supported, while also supporting new ways of promoting inclusion and participation in our communities.
I would urge all community organisations, including the organisation referenced by the Deputy, to check my Department’s website www.gov.ie/drcdg, and to engage with their Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), Local Development Companies and Public Participation Networks (PPNs), to ensure they are aware of funding opportunities as they become available.
