Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

126. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding available through his Department for community festivals such as, for example, Dunshaughlin Harvest Festival in County Meath (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54276/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My department implements a wide range of schemes and supports which are available to community organisations and other groups across the country. While there is not a scheme specifically for community festivals, there may be an avenue of support available under the LEADER programme.

Funding under the 2023-2027 LEADER programme is not targeted at any particular group or sector or activity in rural communities. It is, rather, focused on a thematic approach to rural development under the headings of firstly, Economic Development and Job Creation, secondly, Rural Infrastructure and Social Inclusion, and thirdly, Sustainable Development of the Rural Environment and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation.

Funding for activities such as a community festival may be available under one of these themes. However, it should be noted that the LEADER programme does not fund operational costs of a project, such as salaries or insurance, and it does not provide multi-annual funding to a project.

In order for a project to be eligible for LEADER funding, the proposed activity must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved LEADER Local Development Strategy in the area concerned and it must comply with the EU Regulations and Operating Rules in place for the programme.

The programme is administered by Local Action Groups (LAGs) across the country. Prospective applicants should, in the first instance, contact their relevant LAG, through its Implementing Partner to discuss the eligibility of the project and the funding that may be available. The Implementing Partner in County Meath is Meath Partnership and they may be contacted by phone at 046-928 0790 or by emailing info@meathpartnership.ie.

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

128. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to outline his ambitions to support the rural road network under the LIS scheme in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55309/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Local Improvement Scheme or LIS is a key support to rural communities in improving non-public rural roads and laneways that are not typically maintained by local authorities. Since 2017, the government has provided almost €184 million to local authorities under the Scheme.

On 7th August last, I was delighted to announce €14 million in additional funding for the 2025 scheme. This brings the total amount invested in LIS in 2025 to €30 million.

Cork County Council’s original allocation for 2025 was €1.163m and, following the August 2025 additional allocation, it now had a full year allocation of €2.331m. This is the second highest allocation nationally. My officials have engaged closely with local authorities to ensure this LIS funding is fully utilised.

I am committed to continuing the Local Improvement Scheme. The 2026 Scheme is expected to be launched early next year and the provisions will be reviewed in advance to ensure it is managed as fairly and efficiently as possible. This will allow local authorities to plan and manage their resources in an effective manner. Details of the 2026 LIS, including county allocations and the scheme outline, will be circulated to local authorities and published on the department's website.

Naoise Ó Cearúil (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

129. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress which has been made to establish a rural communities initiative, similar to the previous RAPID Thriving Communities Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55998/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

RAPID stands for Revitalising Areas by Planning, Investment and Development. It was a focused initiative by the Government to target the 25 most concentrated areas of disadvantage in the country. The original RAPID programme ran from 2001 and closed to new applications in 2011.

In line with the current Programme for Government commitment, I was delighted to announce funding for the introduction of a “RAPID-style” scheme in the budget for 2026. My Department is now examining the potential formulation of this new initiative. Considerations that will inform the development of the new RAPID scheme will include, but are not limited to, the changed demographic and socio economic landscape since the previous programme, potential geographical areas to be considered for targeted support and the levels of funding already available through other schemes in my department. I hope to be able to launch the scheme in the first half of next year.