Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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1195. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the additional funding available to a group (details supplied) to complete a process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25553/18]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I launched the Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) last month. The programme provides funding to enhance facilities for disadvantaged communities. The programme replaces and builds on two existing schemes (Communities Facilities Scheme and the RAPID). Combining these schemes will make for a more flexible, streamlined and targeted approach to providing funding to those communities most in need, while reducing the level of administration involved.

I have provided funding under this programme to each Local Authority area, taking into account levels of disadvantage and the overall population in each area. Kerry will receive €142,409, which is an increase on the 2017 combined allocation (from CFS and RAPID) of €129,000. Although some of the available funding is ring-fenced to provide small capital grants of €1,000 or less, the programme can, where appropriate, fund or partially fund larger scale capital projects.

The group referenced may be eligible for funding under this programme. Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) will be advertising for applications for funding in the coming weeks and final decisions regarding funding allocations will be made by the LCDCs in each area.