Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 824, 830 and 831 together.

My Department provides funding through a range of highly impactful schemes and programmes aimed at supporting sustainable, inclusive and thriving communities, including community and voluntary groups in County Kildare.

In 2023 my Department's outturn of €417 million supported a range of policy priorities across the country. This funding has, for example, seen community centres revitalised, outdoor amenities established, and community supports rolled out to combat poverty and social exclusion.

Significant funding approvals were made in 2023, including in excess of €7.2 million for Kildare. These allocations included funding under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund of €3.3 million towards the costs for the Shackleton Museum in Athy, and the Athy Food, Drink and Skills Innovation Hub.

Budget 2024 provides my Department with a gross allocation of €431 million. Included in this is €210 million for capital investment, with the remaining €221 million for current expenditure. These allocations represent a core funding increase of €4 million for capital and €12 million for current, compared to 2023. The capital increase reflects the expenditure ceilings set out in the National Development Plan, but also Government’s continuing commitment to rural and community development.

This year, over €205 million in funding is available for the Rural Development Investment Programme, which includes schemes such as Town and Village Renewal, LEADER, and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. This allocation for rural development will also allow additional funding for the Local Improvement Scheme and CLÁR, bringing their funding levels up to €13 million and €8.7 million respectively. These schemes provide much needed funding for capital projects that improve the quality of lives of those living in rural Ireland, and the experience of those visiting our wonderful rural hinterlands.

Under Budget 2024, over €225 million has been secured for my Department’s Community Development Programmes. These include the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), and the Community Services Programme (CSP). These two programmes will have combined core funding of over €100 million. Kildare has been allocated over €1.38 million under SICAP and over half a million under the CSP. Budget 2024 also provides €11 million in current funding to assist with the community response to the Ukraine crisis under SICAP and through volunteering supports.

The allocation for Community Development also provides funding of €21 million to support the Community Centre Investment Fund in 2024 – delivering upgrades to existing centres and allowing investment in new centres where they are needed, in both rural and urban areas.

As is evident, the ambition of my Department remains high and we have much to deliver in 2024, across the country and in County Kildare. With regard to specific schemes, funds and the timelines to their launch, these details will be released in due course throughout the year. It should be noted that applications under Category 1 of the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund closed last month.

I would encourage anyone interested in my Department’s funding schemes, either across the country or in Kildare, to visit our website at gov.ie where details of future calls will be posted.