Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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62. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide an update on the local enhancement programme 2024, with specific regard to projects underway in Fingal, County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26535/24]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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Last December, I launched the Local Enhancement Programme (LEP), with capital funding of €6 million to assist community groups across the country. The LEP is targeted to the specific challenges facing local community groups and delivers immediate, tangible supports where they are needed most.

There was 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.

Under the Local Enhancement Programme €1 million was ring-fenced to support Women's groups building on the €100,000 ring-fenced under the Community Support Fund the previous year.

The LEP is administered locally on behalf of my Department 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.

With regard to specific projects underway in Fingal, I can confirm that Fingal LCDC received an allocation of €184,035 under the Local Enhancement Programme 2024, with €36,807 ring-fenced for Women's Groups. 118 projects were awarded funding under the main LEP in Fingal and 12 Women's Groups received funding.

The Local Enhancement Programme is now closed to applicants, and details of successful projects under both the main LEP and the Women's Groups ring-fenced funding have been published on my Department’s website www.gov.ie/drcd . This includes a full list of approved projects in Fingal.