Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 June 2026
544. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the reason an organisation was excluded from funding in May 2026 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46450/26]
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 the organisation referenced by the Deputy.
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.
