Brian Brennan (Wicklow-Wexford, Fine Gael)
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600. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding streams available for a festival (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66762/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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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. Rather, it is 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 organised music 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 Wicklow is County Wicklow Partnership and they may be contacted by phone at 0402-20955 or by emailing info@wicklowpartnership.ie.