Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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80. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if his attention has been drawn to the application by an organisation (details supplied) to the community recognition fund 2024; if an appeals mechanism is in place for cases like this that were not successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14619/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Community Recognition Fund was introduced to support the development of community infrastructure and facilities for the entire community. This is both to recognise the efforts of communities across the country in welcoming new arrivals and to ensure that there is sufficient infrastructure in place to respond to the needs of these communities.

The scheme is delivered through local authorities. Each local authority is provided with a financial allocation linked to the number of new arrivals located in their area.

It is a matter for each local authority to identify the most appropriate locations for funding based on where new arrivals are situated, while also considering what funding may have been provided to these locations in the previous round of the fund.

The local authority is required to engage local communities and consult local stakeholders when developing proposals to be submitted to my department for consideration.

The project application referred to by Deputy Ward was submitted to Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council for consideration. However, it was not selected for submission to my Department

The local authority has indicated to my officials that the application process was oversubscribed and that it was a very competitive process.

I understand the applicant has been in contact with the local authority in this regard and that while no formal appeal was received, the authority advised the applicant of other funding streams available.

There are a range of different funding streams in place to support community facilities and I would encourage all community groups to check my Department’s website for details. Groups should also keep in touch with their local authority and local development company as appropriate for information on future funding opportunities.