Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

111. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development to progress work on a strategy for suburban Dublin villages including schemes that are similar to those available for rural Dublin villages. [13721/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department is responsible for a range of initiatives aimed at revitalising communities in both rural and urban areas.

The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), is our country’s primary social inclusion programme. This is a national programme that is delivered in both rural and urban areas by Local Development Companies to help those in the greatest need. SICAP aims to address high and persistent levels of deprivation through targeted and innovative, locally-led approaches.

SICAP offers Local Development Companies the flexibility to target supports to particular groups and respond to emerging issues in their areas. These supports can be tailored locally to best meet the needs of disadvantaged areas and priority target groups on the ground. The programme encourages partnerships between individuals experiencing disadvantage, community organisations, and public sector agencies to address diverse community needs.

My Department also works closely with Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs). Created under the Local Government Reform Act, 2014, the LCDCs bring together local authority members and officials, state agencies, people actively working within local development and community development and economic, cultural and environmental organisations with a view to implementing a joined-up, cross-sectoral approach to local and community development programming through the medium of a Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP).

The LECPs focus on measures which will enhance the quality of life and well-being of communities in both urban and rural settings and this is achieved through a coordinated approach to planning and service delivery. As part of the planning process for the current six-year iteration of LECPs, my Department organised a series of information webinars for LCDCs in order to equip them with the required knowledge and skills for the preparation of their LECPs. This also included a broad public consultation engagement with input from LCDCs, PPNs, Government Departments and Local Authorities.

In addition, my Department provides annual financial support, known as the Additional Staff Resource (ASR), to local authorities to support their community function, including the work of the LCDCs in overseeing the implementation of their LECPs and the co-ordination of local and community development in urban and rural areas.

There is a commitment in the Programme for Government regarding an Urban Communities Initiative, included in the section on Rejuvenating our Capital City Centre, which also refers to the Dublin North East Inner City initiative. However, other suburban areas in Dublin and indeed beyond Dublin would also be suitable for such an initiative. My Department is currently examining ways in which this commitment could be delivered in the context of our role in community development in urban areas.

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

112. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will outline the applications process, assessment criteria and total funding allocated to date this year under the current community recognition fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13986/25]

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

117. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will outline the future funding plans for the community recognition fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13987/25]

James Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

131. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there will be another round of funding for a new tranche of the community recognition fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14539/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 112, 117 and 131 together.

The Community Recognition Fund (CRF) was introduced in 2023 to recognise the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland. To date €100 million has been allocated to support cities, towns and villages.

It is a matter for each local authority to identify the most appropriate locations for funding based on their analysis of the level of arrivals in each location and in the context of previous funding supports and local needs identified.

Each local authority has been provided with a set allocation based on the number of new arrivals there. It is a matter for each local authority to determine the application process for communities and the selection of projects for proposal to my Department for consideration. The terms and conditions for the scheme require that the proposals submitted by local authorities are developed based on direct engagement with communities and in consultation with relevant stakeholders.

The proposals submitted by the local authorities are subsequently reviewed by my Department to ensure that the requirements of the fund are being met, particularly in terms of the location of funding, the level of consultation at a local level and that the level of investment is appropriate for the type of intervention envisaged.

Under the initial €50 million provided under the 2023 fund, some 906 projects were approved with over 700 of these now fully complete and drawn down.

Under the 2024 fund, almost 350 projects have been approved to date with the assessment ongoing for the final tranche of applications. Of this figure, 185 projects were approved in August 2024 for €16.4 million under tranche 1 of the 2024 fund. A further 164 projects were approved for €14.3 million last month under tranche 2 of the fund. I look forward to announcing the successful projects under the third and final tranche in the coming months.

I want to see progress on the current iteration of the scheme before determining next steps. The Government continues to look at how we can further support impacted towns and villages across a range of different schemes and services. Any decision in respect of a further round of funding under the Community Recognition Fund will be considered in the context of those deliberations and the annual budgetary process.