Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 October 2026
751. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if a wheelchair accessible car rental company will be considered and funded in the Munster area (details supplied); if such a project can be supported by his Department and Pobal through the Community Services Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70457/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's Community Services Programme (CSP) currently supports the delivery of 453 services nationally via 434 community organisations to provide local social, economic and environmental services through a social enterprise model, with an allocation of €59.4m in 2026.
The organisation referred to by the Deputy is the specific brand name for a wheelchair accessible car rental service provided by an existing CSP-supported organisation, which currently receives funding towards the employment of 32 Full Time Equivalent posts under the Programme, with a total funding allocation of €1,082,380 for 2026.
An Open Call for applications to join the Community Services Programme (CSP) was launched on 30 March this year. The closing date for receipt of preliminary applications was 08 May. Pobal, which administers the Programme on behalf of my Department, has advised that no application was received under this process from the organisation referred to by the Deputy. Further details of the Open Call can be found at the link:
https://www.pobal.ie/programmes/community-services-programme-csp/
As is standard practice, all future considerations in relation to the CSP Programme will be framed in the context of available budgets, including a review of the level of support for existing funded organisations and subsequent Open Calls.
In the interim, any organisation that requires immediate support may wish to consider contacting the relevant Local Development Company, Local Authority or Local Community Development Committee, which may be able to provide some guidance on other supports available at this time.
