Grace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
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104. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development for an update on the status of the Empowering Communities Programme, which is designed to combat disadvantage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14100/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Empowering Communities Programme (ECP) is funded by my Department. It commenced in 2022, initially providing funding for 14 projects. At present, there are 17 projects supported under the programme, with annual funding of €2.3 million.

The areas selected for funding under the ECP are ones that are experiencing significant disadvantage, identified using the Pobal HP deprivation index.

The programme, with the support of the relevant Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) and Local Development Company (LDC), aims to enhance community access to key services and empower local communities to develop their own response to area-based poverty, social exclusion and the resulting consequences.

As part of this programme, a Community Engagement Worker is recruited in each of the selected areas, to develop and facilitate relationships between community stakeholders, community groups and statutory agencies and structures.

Community Engagement Workers engage with the supported community and reinforce community development values and principles. They assist the community to take ownership of, and address the issues that are most important to them and facilitate and create positive change.

ECP Community Engagement Workers have organised events with the community that include, inter alia, targeted outreach and drop-ins, wellbeing days, intercultural activities and celebrations, English language classes, community Clean-up and Planting activities.

Under Budget 2025, additional funding has been allocated to further expand the programme. Consideration is currently being given to how this additional funding can be utilised to maximum effect for communities that are experiencing significant disadvantage.

My Department plans to evaluate the impact of the ECP in 2025 in the communities supported by the programme.