Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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84. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of applications received per year 2023-2024 and per county for funding under the Community Recognition Fund; the number therein that were successful; the number that were unsuccessful in each county; the allocation that will be provided to each county in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25832/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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A combined budget of €100 million has been made available across two iterations of the Community Recognition Fund, or CRF, announced in 2023 and 2024.

CRF 2024 is being delivered across 3 separate tranches. The successful projects have been announced under two of the tranches, and I expect to announce the third tranche shortly.

I have provided the Deputy with a table setting out the number of projects submitted in each county under both iterations of the scheme together with the number of successful and unsuccessful applications contained therein.

It should be noted that this fund differs from other schemes operated by my Department in that each local authority was provided with a set funding allocation based on the number of new arrivals located in their area. Each local authority was then required to engage local communities to identify and select appropriate projects for consideration by my Department.

Under the 2024 scheme, a small number of projects were unsuccessful following review by my Department. This was primarily as result of projects not having planning in place but also included other issues identified which were not in keeping with the scheme requirements.

In instances where projects are unsuccessful, the local authority can resubmit alternative projects so that they can fully utilise their allocation.

I want to see progress on delivering all of these projects before determining next steps. The Government continues to look at how we can further support impacted towns and villages with growing populations across a range of different schemes and services. Any decision in respect of a further round of funding under the CRF will be considered in the context of those deliberations and the annual budgetary process.