Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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393. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development when CLÁR funding will be available in 2024. [4732/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The CLÁR Programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of depopulation over a defined period.

Since the programme was relaunched in 2016, it has supported a wide range of measures with over €70 million being approved for almost 2,400 projects throughout rural Ireland. This funding is making a real difference in many of our smaller and more remote communities.

In total, funding of almost €13 million was provided for over 300 projects under CLÁR 2023. It included supports for a vast array of projects that will benefit people of all ages and abilities such as playgrounds, sensory gardens, outdoor cinemas, walking tracks, and community gyms.

Every year I review the focus of the scheme and I expect to launch the the 2024 CLÁR programme in Quarter 1 of 2024.

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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394. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide a list of funding available to women’s sheds. [4733/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department provides a range of supports which are available to Women’s Sheds, depending on the works being completed.

In December 2023, I was delighted to launch the Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) which replaces my Department’s Community Enhancement Programme, with capital funding of €6 million to assist thousands of community groups across the country. The overall €6 million LEP includes a special ring-fenced capital fund of €1 million to provide support for Women’s Groups (i.e., Sheds, Groups, Clubs, Networks etc...), and builds on the €100,000 ring-fenced for Women’s Sheds under the 2022 Community Support Fund.

In addition to the €1 million ring-fenced fund, Women’s Sheds will also be eligible to apply under the main Local Enhancement Programme funding stream, which will provide capital supports essential for the many small community groups and organisations, particularly those who serve disadvantaged areas in rural and urban areas.

There will be a particular focus on small capital works/improvements, and the purchase of equipment for community use. The funding may be used, but is not limited to; improved access for persons with a disability; enhancing community participation for disadvantaged and marginalised groups, and improving energy efficiency of community facilities to reduce ongoing costs.

The Local Enhancement Programme is administered on behalf of my Department locally by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) across the country, with support from their Local Authority. Each LCDC will be advertising the fund and I would encourage all Women's Sheds to engage with their LCDC directly for details on how to apply.

The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) also provides supports to Women’s Sheds, for example in facilitating training courses and holding focus groups. This support remains available through SICAP.

Separately, funding under the LEADER programme is not targeted at any particular group or sector in rural communities. It is, rather, focused on a thematic approach to rural development. The budget for the LEADER programme is allocated for the duration of the programme rather than on an annual basis to allow more flexibility to the LAG in the allocation of funding.

Organisations, such as Women’s Sheds, may be eligible for LEADER funding but in the first instance contact should be made with the local implementing partner. Contact details for the Implementing Partners are available on my Department's website atwww.gov.ie/en/publication/c45498-local-action-groups/ .

I would encourage all groups to check my department’s website www.gov.ie/drcd, and to engage with their Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), Local Development Companies and Public Participation Networks (PPN) to ensure they are aware of funding opportunities as they become available.

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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395. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a women’s shed (details supplied) set up in May 2023, that received its PPN number in November 2023, can avail of funding via the local authority. [4734/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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In December 2023, I was delighted to launch the Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) which replaces my Department’s Community Enhancement Programme, with capital funding of €6 million to assist thousands of community groups across the country. The overall €6 million LEP includes a special ring-fenced capital fund of €1 million to provide support for Women’s Groups (i.e., Sheds, Groups, Clubs, Networks etc...), and builds on the €100,000 ring-fenced for Women’s Sheds under the 2022 Community Support Fund.

In addition to the €1 million ring-fenced fund, Women’s Sheds will also be eligible to apply under the main Local Enhancement Programme funding stream, which will provide capital supports essential for the many small community groups and organisations, particularly those who serve disadvantaged areas in rural and urban areas.

The Local Enhancement Programme is administered on behalf of my Department locally by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) across the country, with support from their Local Authority. The relevant LCDC receive and appraise applications, making determinations on how the funding can best support their communities. I would encourage the Women’s Shed concerned to engage with their LCDC directly for details on how to apply.

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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396. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development to advise of any possible funding to complete the set-up of a facility (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4783/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The LEADER Programme is a key intervention of Our Rural Future, the Government’s Policy for rural development which aims to deliver a range of actions to rural communities over the lifetime of the policy. It supports a broad range of activities which aim to respond to the diversity of the local needs of our rural areas.

It is delivered through Local Action Groups (LAGs) across rural Ireland. A feature of the LEADER programme is that it is based on a community-led, bottom-up approach to rural development.

Funding under the 2023-2027 LEADER programme is not targeted at any particular group or sector in rural communities. It is, rather, focused on a thematic approach to rural development under the headings; Economic Development and Job Creation, Rural Infrastructure and Social Inclusion, Sustainable Development of the Rural Environment and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation. Funding for activities such as that referenced by the Deputy may be available under one of these themes.

In order for a project to be eligible for LEADER funding, it must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved Local Development Strategy in the sub-regional area concerned, and it must comply with the Operating Rules and EU Regulations in place for the programme.

Prospective applicants should, in the first instance, contact their relevant LAG, through its Implementing Partner, to discuss the eligibility of the project and the funding that may be available. The Implementing Partner in Roscommon is Roscommon LEADER Partnership, and their contact details are as follows - Phone: 090-6630252, Email: reception @ridc.ie