Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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2607. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if his Department has a scheme to support community organisations and community facilities, such as community halls, to procure generators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19914/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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In recent months, we have again seen the benefit of well-resourced community facilities. In the aftermath of storm Éowyn, communities were able to get some relief through local community buildings, many of which were repurposed as Community Emergency Response Hubs. I believe that the Hubs were an important part of the response on the ground and I want to ensure that communities are supported and facilitated to continue to provide this sort of response in the future.

Central to this is the suite of investment schemes implemented by my Department. For example, I am aware that in recent years funding has being provided for a small number of generators for community groups through the LEADER and CLÁR programmes. There is no reason why such support cannot continue to be made available.

With this in mind, I have asked my officials to review schemes as they are due to be launched to ensure that they are fully focused on the real needs of communities – be that for the provision of generators, for the refurbishment of existing community facilities, or for the development of new projects that will help ensure that we continue to support strong, resilient and vibrant communities all across the country.

For example, generators are eligible under the recently launched CLÁR 2025 programme. Further details on all of the funds operated by my Department can be found on my Department's website.