Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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234. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will address a matter regarding the sustainability of the local development sector (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50168/21]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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The Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) works closely with the Irish Local Development Network (ILDN), the representative body for Ireland’s Local Development Companies (LDCs). The LDCs are a key delivery partner for government across a range of schemes and programmes. In the case of DRCD, they deliver SICAP and are implementing partners for the LEADER programme.

To support this work my Department is providing SICAPfunding in excess of €220 million to LDCs over six years from 2018 to 2023. This year over €39 million was allocated, supporting front line workers in LDCs to deliver SICAPon the ground. For 2022, I am delighted to say that an additional €4m has been secured in budget 2022, a 10% increase. Funding to cover administrative costs is also provided under the LEADER programme.

The ILDN have brought the matter of the sustainability of the local development sector to my attention and officials within DRCD are engaged in early discussions to scope out possible ways forward to secure the future of the LDCs, in particular to ensure the effective and consistent delivery of the programmes and schemes they deliver.