2026. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the reason a grant application (details supplied) was unsuccessful; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34211/24]

The Community Recognition Fund was first introduced in 2023 to recognise the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland.

Through the 2023 allocation, funding of €50 million was approved for some 900 projects in providing support to cities, towns and villages nationwide who have welcomed people from Ukraine and other countries. I was delighted to announce a further €50 million in funding under the Community Recognition Fund on March 15th last.

Applications under the current round of funding can be submitted by local authorities across three phases, so as to allow flexibility and adequate engagement and collaboration on larger projects.  The phased closing dates for receipt of applications are May 31st, September 30th and January 31st, 2025.

Under this new round of funding, Wexford local authority have been awarded funding of €1,703,377 which brings the total funding provided to Wexford County Council under the Community Recognition Fund to over €3.2 million.

Local authorities are required to engage and collaborate with communities to identify the most appropriate projects for support. It is a matter for each local authority to identify the most appropriate locations for funding based on their analysis of the level of arrivals in each location and in the context of previous funding supports and local needs.

I understand that Wexford County Council received an application from the group referred to by Deputy but this was not shortlisted for submission to my Department under application window one.  It may be the case the project mentioned will be submitted by the local authority under the remaining application windows.