Liam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)
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93. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the measures being examined by his Department to address loneliness and social isolation in rural areas and communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14528/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has a number of schemes in place to help address loneliness and social isolation in rural areas and communities across the country.

Of particular importance is the Local Enhancement Programme. This scheme is providing €7 million in 2025 to assist thousands of community groups across the country. A huge variety of community groups, including social clubs, choirs and sports clubs are supported under the scheme. The scheme also supports Men’s and Women’s Sheds, which play an important role in reducing isolation. This builds on significant support for the sheds in recent years.

The Community Centre Investment Fund is another important scheme which helps to ensure communities have the spaces they need for community groups and activities. Earlier this month I was delighted to announce funding of €26.1 million under the Community Centre Investment Fund, which will deliver enhancement and refurbishment works on 369 community centres nationwide. In excess of €109 million has now been approved under this fund since 2022.

Another important support is the Senior Alerts Scheme, which provides grants for personal emergency alarms for older people. This scheme is supporting thousands of older people around the country to live in their own homes and communities with confidence.

Other supports such as those for Tidy Towns groups, Agricultural Shows, the Community Services Programme and the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme all help to ensure that our communities are inclusive places to live and that communities are supported to help reduce social isolation and loneliness.

Finally, my Department recently launched an online public survey to inform the development of the successor to Our Rural Future, with addressing social isolation a specific topic of the survey. I would encourage people to provide their views on how we can continue to address this challenge.