Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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863. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if additional funding will be made available to support community development projects in smaller towns like Athy and Monasterevin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42555/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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A vital part of my Department's mission is to support vibrant and sustainable communities across the country, including towns like Athy and Monasterevin. My Department provides targeted investment which improves lives, enables rural regeneration, facilitates new working opportunities and fosters regional enterprise growth.

I was delighted to secure a 9% increase in my Department’s funding under Budget 2025. This brings my Department’s allocation to €472 million, giving it additional resources to support projects in urban and rural areas.

This record allocation of €472 million will provide €212 million for rural development. This funding will continue to breathe new life into towns and villages like Athy and Monasterevin, and support the social and economic development of these communities.

My Department supports regeneration and regional enterprise growth through a wide range of schemes including; the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, the LEADER Programme, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme and the Islands Capital Programme.

My Department also provides strategic interventions through programmes which target and address social and economic deprivation in communities throughout the country.

Budget 2025 has made €260 million available for these community development activities.

The two main schemes in this area, the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), and the Community Services Programme (CSP), will have combined core funding of over €100 million in 2025 to support community development.

SICAP aims to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion and equality. The CSP provides employment opportunities for people in disadvantaged areas, and those most distant from the labour market, whilst also ensuring the provision of vital community services throughout the country.

I am confident that the funding supports and policies administered by my Department will continue to deliver tangible benefits for both urban and rural communities like Athy and Monasterevin.

I encourage all groups to engage with their local structures like their Local Community Development Committee (LCDCs), their Public Participation Network (PPN), their Local Development Company and to regularly check www.gov.ie/drcd to ensure they are aware of funding opportunities as they become available.