Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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390. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will ensure that a local improvement grant, change of use request, is approved for a group (details supplied). [49531/25]

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
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The Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) 2025 provided funding of €7 million to assist thousands of community groups across the country by providing capital and current supports.

The LEP is administered locally on behalf of my Department by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) across the country, with support from their local authority. The relevant LCDC is allocated funding each year, they then receive and appraise applications, making determinations on how the funding can best support their communities.

Details of successful projects under LEP 2025 were announced in 13th June this year can be found on the Departments website, www.gov.ie/drcdg.

The Department understands that in some instances projects approved under the fund may not be able to proceed as expected and a change of scope process is available in these cases. Any changes to projects have to be notified to and agreed with the Department in advance of works taking place. I can confirm that a change of scope request was received from Westmeath LCDC in relation to the group you refer to, and officials in my Department have reviewed it and a response has issued to the LCDC.

The group should receive an update from their LCDC in the coming days.

John Clendennen (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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391. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht for a list of projects in Offaly allocated funding by his Department in each of the years 2020 to 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49535/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is committed to supporting thriving communities across the country through a range of funding initiatives. My Department has allocated in the region of €51 million in funding to County Offaly from 2020 to 2024.

My Department’s funding programmes have delivered significant capital investment in County Offaly over the years referenced. Examples include:

• Over €12 million in funding under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) for the redevelopment of a derelict site in Edenderry to provide a new Community Library and Arts Base, pedestrian and cycle connections, improved public realm and parking. This project aims to regenerate the town, enhancing its vibrancy and enabling people to live and work in a high-quality environment.
• Under the Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF), over €1 million in funding was allocated to build a new Community Centre in Moneygall.
• Under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS), €500,000 was allocated for the refurbishment of Fiesta Hall in Kilcormac into a multipurpose space which is low carbon and energy efficient.
• €500,000 was allocated under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) to Kinnitty for the development of a ‘route to the trails’ pedestrian and cycle path between Kinnitty Village and the Slieve Bloom Mountain Bike Trails; the development of a 2 kilometre novice-level loop mountain bike trail called ‘Kinnitty Woods Loop’ and a project to rediscover Castle Bernard Demesne’s Historic Bridges.