Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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1968. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he can provide an update on the reviews of both the SSNO and the community and voluntary pillar funding schemes; when the reviews will be completed and finished; what engagement he has had with the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12398/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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As with other schemes of my Department, the Community and Voluntary Pillar (C&V Pillar) funding scheme is kept under continuous review. Notwithstanding this, over the last twelve months officials at my Department have engaged with members of the C&V pillar, both as a group and bilaterally, regarding the need to consider options for the future of the scheme. Department officials will continue to explore this matter further with C&V Pillar groups.

The Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector (SSNO) plays a significant role in Government’s support for our national community and voluntary organisations, through the provision of multi-annual funding towards their core costs.

The current scheme commenced in July 2022, initially for a 3 year term to conclude on 30 June this year. This has been extended by 6 months, to the end of 2025, to satisfy a request from SSNO recipient organisations to align the SSNO funding cycle with financial (January to December) accounting cycles, and also to allow for the completion of a review of the scheme by my Department.

My Department's review of the SSNO builds on a significant stakeholder engagement exercise undertaken by Pobal in 2023. I expect the review will be completed in the coming weeks and I will be examining its findings with a view to making any required changes in advance of the launch of a new scheme, to commence in January 2026.