Liam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)
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106. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the schemes in place to help address loneliness and social isolation in rural areas and communities across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26172/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has a number of schemes in place to help address loneliness and social isolation in rural areas and communities across the country.

The Local Enhancement Programme is providing €7 million in 2025 to assist thousands of community groups across the country. A huge variety of community groups, including social clubs, choirs and sports clubs are supported under the scheme. The scheme also supports Men’s and Women’s Sheds, which play an important role in reducing isolation.

In February, I announced funding of €14 million to 163 community projects across the country through the Community Recognition Fund. The fund will deliver investment for a wide range of projects and will include upgrades and enhancements to sports facilities, community centres, parks, walking trails, and playground - all of which help to ensure facilities for people to engage with their communities.

In March, I was delighted to announce funding of €26.1 million under the Community Centre Investment Fund, which also helps to ensure communities have the spaces they need for community groups and activities. The funding will deliver enhancement and refurbishment works on 369 community centres nationwide.

In April, I launched the 2025 CLÁR Programme to provide funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of depopulation over a defined period. This includes funding for community facilities and amenities, and also for vehicles for mobility transport to facilitate access of the less able bodied and older members of the community to services such as day care, medical appointments, therapy and respite services. It also funds the provision of vehicles (vans only) for meals on wheels services.

Every year the Senior Alerts Scheme, provides grants for personal emergency alarms for older people. This scheme is supporting thousands of older people around the country to live in their own homes and communities with confidence.

Other supports such as those for Tidy Towns groups, Agricultural Shows, Public Libraries, the Community Services Programme, Volunteer Centres and the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme all help to ensure that our communities are inclusive places to live and that communities are supported to help reduce social isolation and loneliness. Working together, we can build strong, vibrant spaces for all members of our communities, new and old.

I will continue to engage with rural communities to identify issues impacting on them and respond to emerging needs, including with regard to helping address rural isolation and loneliness.