Brian Brennan (Wicklow-Wexford, Fine Gael)
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2178. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht whether his Department has any suitable funding streams for a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58626/25]

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department's mission is to promote rural and community development and to support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland. In furtherance of this, my Department drafts policies and manages strategic interventions and funding programmes that support economic, social and cultural development in both urban and rural communities.

I was delighted, along with Minister Calleary, to secure €611 million in funding for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht for 2026, which will support the government’s ongoing commitment to building stronger, vibrant communities, both rural and urban.

Schemes that may be of interest for the project referred to include CLÁR, the Community Services Programme, the Scheme to Support National Organisations and the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), which offers small scale grants to support community organisations.

In delivering on our remit my department liaises with stakeholders in communities around the country on an ongoing basis, including through the Local Authorities, Local Community Development Committees, Public Participation Networks and the Local Development Companies, to ensure that supports provided are timely and appropriate to the needs of communities.

I would encourage all groups, projects and organisations to engage with these structures to ensure they are aware of funding opportunities as they become available.