Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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592. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there are any grant supports available for community groups who are carrying out large infrastructural development projects to assist with the expensive professional services fees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38989/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department has a number of capital programmes designed to support community groups who are involved in large infrastructural development projects, and within these schemes there is provision for professional fees associated with project delivery.

This includes the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), The Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) and the Outdoor Recreational Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS), the Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF) and the LEADER programme.

The RRDF provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns, villages and rural areas across Ireland. Calls for applications to the Fund are sought under two categories – Category 1 and Category 2. Category 1 typically relates to large scale ambitious multi-million euro capital projects with all necessary planning and other consents in place. Category 2 provides grant funding to enable the development of project proposals suitable for future calls for Category 1 applications.

The TVRS supports the revitalisation of our towns and villages with grants of up to €500,000. It includes a 'Project Development Measure' to assist applicants to bring projects to a shovel ready stage.

The ORIS provides funding for the development and enhancement of outdoor recreational infrastructure such as walking trails, cycleways and other amenities at our rivers, beaches, lakes and forests. It also includes a 'Project Development Measure' which provides funding for the detailed development of projects to bring them to a shovel-ready stage. Such work might encompass detailed design, preparation for the planning and/or procurement, appropriate assessment etc.

Since 2022, the CCIF has provided capital funding for improvement and refurbishment works on over 860 existing community centres across Ireland and the construction of 12 new community centres. Last June, a further €20 million in capital funding was announced to support community groups to upgrade and refurbish the community facilities in their areas. This includes a provision for funding professional fees and the submitted applications are currently being assessed.

The LEADER programme is based on a community-led approach to rural development and plays an important role in supporting initiatives that will have the greatest impact on a community’s development. Community groups are eligible to apply for funding under the LEADER programme for infrastructural development projects. Costs such as the fees of architects, archaeologists, engineers and consultants, may be considered eligible for funding up to a ceiling of 12% of the capital costs of Leader funded projects.

Details on each of these funds can be found on my Department's website.