Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

107. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if financial assistance will be provided towards the repair of community facilities that were damaged as a result of storm Éowyn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14611/25]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

123. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if additional funding will be provided to his Department this year to meet additional costs arising from storm Éowyn; if such funding is provided, the programmes and schemes that will benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14610/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 123 together.

Storm Éowyn was an unprecedented event which brought many challenges to communities, and in particular rural communities. The important of good community facilities and infrastructure was very clear in the aftermath of the storm, and the value of the investment made in recent years was fully evident.

The budget allocation for my Department is agreed on an annual basis with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform as part of the Revised Estimates for Public Services process. The 2025 gross allocation for my Department, of €473.5 million, represents a 7% increase on the previous year’s allocation. This increased funding for 2025 will allow for additional investment across our schemes, which are supporting communities throughout the country.

Many of the schemes operated by my Department, including LEADER, Town and Village Renewal, and the Community Centre Investment Fund have helped improve the resilience of rural communities. While my Department has not received additional funding in relation to the storm, the funding provided for 2025 will allow for additional investment across our schemes.

I am confident that existing capital schemes such as the Community Centres Investment Fund provide support for community facilities to undertake repairs and to upgrade their facilities where necessary, and will help ensure that we continue to support strong, resilient and vibrant communities all across the country.