Liam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)
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100. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to establish a community ownership fund to help community groups and social enterprises to buy or take over local community assets at risk of being lost, to be run as community-owned businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14529/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) was established in July 2017 to provide a renewed and consolidated focus on rural and community development in Ireland.

While my Department does not have a dedicated community ownership fund, programmes overseen by my Department such as LEADER, SICAP and the Community Services Programme all support community-led initiatives.

My Department is also progressing the delivery of a number of national policies that provide for both urban and rural areas nationwide, an integrated and strategic way of supporting communities and social enterprises. In particular, my Department leads on the implementation of the National Social Enterprise Policy – Trading for Impact – which aims to foster an enabling environment for social enterprises to grow and meet their potential.

In addition, the Western Development Commission, an agency under the aegis of my department, provides loan finance to support new activities/new projects by community groups and social enterprises in the Western region , including the restoration or acquisition of premises.

Both the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme have invested in the regeneration of rural towns and villages, including measures for the acquisition of buildings by local authorities for community use.