Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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688. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the standards required to be implemented by community groups that publish community newsletters or newspapers and are in receipt of funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6403/19]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Department for Rural and Community Development was established to support the creation of vibrant and sustainable communities across this country. Key to achieving this is supporting the development and promotion of the modern and efficient services needed for such communities to thrive.

My Department does not provide direct funding towards the publication of newsletters or newspapers, but does provide a broad range of supports to communities in Ireland in terms of core funding or for specific project based work.

The funding provided relates to programmes such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, Community Services Programme, Libraries Capital Investment Programme, Scheme to Support National Organisations, the LEADER Programme and others.

Community groups communicate independently to engage with the public and where such communications are assisted by State funding they should be in line with the stated criteria of the funding programme in question and the contract terms and conditions in each case.