John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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1086. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the reason a community council company (details supplied) was unsuccessful in the recent Community Centre Investment Fund allocations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16517/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Community Centre Investment Fund has provided in excess of €109 million since 2022 for the enhancement and refurbishment of existing community centres and the construction of new centres.

Over €33 million has now been approved for in excess of 770 projects nationwide under the 2024 fund. However, given the very significant level of demand, not all applications were successful.

The facility referenced by the Deputy submitted an application under Category 2 of the 2024 fund seeking support of €100,000 for enhancement works on the facility. The application reached the minimum scoring threshold required to be eligible for consideration but did not score high enough to be successful on this occasion.

Correspondence has issued to all unsuccessful applicants. The community centre referred to by the Deputy is being offered an opportunity to avail of a feedback call which will clearly explain the basis for the decision and areas where the application can be strengthened.

There is also an opportunity to appeal the outcome of this application process and this will also be outlined during any feedback call.

I am committed to delivering further iterations of the scheme in the coming years in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government for this to become a permanent rolling fund.

In addition, all unsuccessful groups may wish to explore other potential funding options supported by my Department, including the LEADER programme, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the CLÁR programme. Details of these and other schemes are available on the Department’s website.

Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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1087. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will provide a schedule of all capital projects being delivered or which have been completed by his Department and organisations under the aegis of his Department since 1 January 2020; and the total project cost of projects in excess of €500,000, or of any other capital projects below this that have come to his Department's attention for reasons of overspend or due to the fact that they failed to be delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16690/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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My Department approves a significant number of capital projects each year, ranging from small scale supports under schemes such as the Community Enhancement Fund to larger supports under schemes such as LEADER, Town and Village Renewal, the Community Centre Investment Fund and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. Details on all capital projects approved for funding under the variety of schemes operated by the Department are published on www.gov.ie

The vast majority of capital projects are delivered by local authorities, with the relevant authority responsible for delivering the project in line with funding agreements. In general, funding approvals are granted in the form of maximum agreed grant amounts, with any cost overruns beyond the final agreed amount either met by the applicant or through agreed changes to the project that reduce costs without significantly impacting the project. In certain circumstances, for example in schemes such as the Community Recognition Fund, where an overall funding envelope is available to a local authority for a number of projects, a given authority may balance that allocation across its projects to ensure optimum delivery, without exceeding its overall allocation.

Where a project is not delivered the Department is not liable for costs arising. In line with terms and conditions of our funding agreements, Departmental practice is to recoup any funding provided for projects which do not proceed where any such funding has been provided. This process is supported by the Department’s Inspection and Compliance function which inspects projects to ensure full delivery in line with the terms and conditions of our capital schemes.

With regard to the larger projects funded under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) and Libraries Development, and in line with the Public Spending Code, full funding approval is generally granted following an open tender process after which a greater degree of certainty on the final costs of each project can be provided. On a limited number of occasions the Department has subsequently granted funding in addition to that agreed at full funding approval stage. This has related to, for example, inflationary costs in line with the OGP's 2022 amendments to the Capital Works Management Framework, supply chain issues arising from Covid 19 or for unforseen costs including, for example, those arising from an increased need for provision of utilities infrastructure. The Department must maintain this flexibility where unforseen events mean that a project justifiably requires additional funding to ensure delivery for communities. Such projects are considered on a case by case basis.

The table below details RRDF and Libraries projects which, since 2020, have been granted additional funding above that approved at full funding stage. It should be noted that the actual funding drawn down may be less than the maximum level of funding approved.

Joe Neville (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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1088. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding allocated to Kildare in r 2024 under community grants, in tabular form. [16730/25]

Joe Neville (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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1089. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding allocated to Kildare to date in 2025 under community grants, in tabular form. [16731/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1088 and 1089 together.

My Department has developed a range of funding schemes and interventions that provide grants to support communities across the country.

In 2024 my Department allocated over €15 million in community grants to Kildare in programmes that includes the Rural Regeneration Fund; the LEADER programme; the Community Centre Investment Fund; the Community Recognition Fund; the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme; the Local Enhancement Programme; the Community Services Programme; CLÁR; the Town and Village Renewal Scheme; the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme; and, the Libraries programme.

Programmes such as these are delivering strong levels of investment into communities all across Kildare. To date in 2025 my Department has allocated over €3.7 million in community grants to Kildare in programmes that includes the LEADER programme; the Community Centre Investment Fund; the Empowering Communities Programme; the Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme; and, the Community Services Programme.

Details of the individual funding allocations my Department has provided each year to community groups across the country, including Kildare, are available in tabular form on my Department’s website at www.gov.ie/en/collection/500c6-what-was-funded/.

Throughout 2025, my Department will continue to make funding available to communities across the country, including to communities in Kildare. Details of all funding announcements will be also be published on our website.