John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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3455. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the criteria used for selecting successful applicants to receive funding from the community recognition fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42054/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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On June 5th, I announced the latest round of funding of over €17 million for the delivery of 212 projects under the Community Recognition Fund covering all 31 local authority areas. That announcement brought the total number of projects that have been awarded funding under the fund to over 1,400 in just over two years.

Projects were selected and prioritised locally by local authorities, who then submitted the selected projects to my Department for approval. The local authorities were required to select the most impactful projects for the communities concerned. It was a requirement of the fund that proposals submitted by each local authority were developed based on direct engagement with impacted communities and in consultation with elected representatives, the Local Community Development Committee, the local Community Response Fora and Local Development Companies. Local authorities were required to clearly outline how this community engagement and collaboration took place, including as regards details around public events and workshops.

The proposals also had to demonstrate that the funding was being targeted at, and specifically invested in, communities where the highest level of new arrivals were located and where there was a clear need for investment identified.

The Department reviewed all required projects to ensure they met eligibility requirements, such as having planning permission in place, and that the project displayed adequate levels of community engagement and appropriate targeting of funding. In approving submitted projects for funding, the Department also had regard to other factors including that the project was in keeping with scheme objectives and represented value for money.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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3456. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the details of the projects that were awarded funding in 2024 and to date in 2025 in Wicklow from the community development fund; to provide a breakdown of these projects, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42055/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that the Deputy is referring to the Community Recognition Fund (CRF). Over 1,400 projects have been awarded funding under the CRF since 2023. Details of all of these projects can be viewed on my Department’s website.

The table included outlines the details of the projects that were awarded funding in 2024 and to date in 2025 in County Wicklow.

Community Recognition Fund 2024 & 2025 – Co Wicklow

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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3457. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a group (details supplied) has received funding from the community development fund this year; when the funding was awarded and if not when this will be awarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42056/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that the Deputy is referring to the Community Recognition Fund (CRF).

Under the CRF, project proposals were submitted to my Department by local authorities based on a set financial allocation awarded to each local authority. My Department has been informed by the relevant local authority that they have no record of receiving an application under the CRF from the group referred to by the Deputy.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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3458. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason a group (details supplied) was not successful in their application for funding from the community development fund despite being told orally that their application was successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42057/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that the Deputy is referring to the Community Recognition Fund (CRF). Under the CRF 2023 and 2024, a total of €100 million in funding has been allocated to local authorities to be made available to communities across Ireland.

I can confirm that an application in respect of the organisation referred to by the Deputy was submitted by the relevant local authority for consideration under the scheme. However, it was not recommended for funding as all necessary planning permissions were not in place. Project proposals were required to have planning permission in place, where required.