480. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the reasons for the refusal of a grant (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52328/26]

The Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) is targeted towards supporting communities that are impacted by disadvantage, as identified in the Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP) of the relevant local authority. It provides small capital grants to community and voluntary groups for the improvement/refurbishment of their facilities and/or the purchase of equipment. In general, support under the LEP is available to, for example, Parish Halls, Community Centres, Social Clubs, Men’s and Women’s Sheds.

The Local Enhancement Programme is administered locally on behalf of my Department by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) across the country, with support from their local authority. Each LCDC decides the projects that are funded under LEP 2026.

I have been advised by Limerick City & County Council that it received applications totalling €776,302.62 for LEP 2026 funding. The local authority was allocated funding of €278,643.81 so this resulted in a competitive assessment process requiring difficult decisions. The result was that a significant number of projects were not approved for funding at this time.

My department issued LEP eligibility guidance to local authorities as part of the LEP application process. This guidance advised that schools could only apply for funding under the Local Enhancement Programme for projects that would be available to any member of the community. I have been advised by Limerick City & County Council that the application by the named organisation was not approved because the project was primarily for the benefit of the school's pupils and not available to the wider community.