52. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if his attention has been drawn to community wealth building, as a model for retaining public expenditure within our towns and counties and promoting balanced economic development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51495/26]

As the Deputy is aware, the concept of community wealth building refers to a range of approaches to local economic development.  While my Department does not have a dedicated community wealth building fund as such, our wide range of policies and funding programmes that provide support for local economic development and community-led local development are in line with many of the principles of community wealth building.

The creation of an environment in which social enterprises can thrive is a key element of community wealth building.  My Department leads on the implementation of the Government's social enterprise policy, “Trading for Impact”, which was launched in 2024.  Its key objectives are to help cultivate and sustain strong and impactful social enterprises that enrich the social, environmental, and economic well-being of people living in our communities.

A Stakeholder Engagement Group (SEG) has been set up to co-ordinate input into the delivery of Trading for Impact on a cross sectoral basis along with a number of working groups, including a Social Procurement Working Group. Its aim is to support increased social and green procurement in Ireland, collect information, develop supports, consider issues and identify potential solutions and options in relation to social and green procurement, in line with the Policy, to help grow traded income.

My department's Community Services Programme (CSP) 2023-2027 currently supports community-based organisations and supports the delivery of 453 local services via 434 organisations, with a total allocation of €59.4m for 2026.  The CSP Programme supports community-based organisations to provide local social, economic and environmental services that meet identified needs and provide employment locally.

The national rural development policy "Our Rural Future" has, over its lifespan, provided significant investment and supports, strengthened local economies and improved the lives of many people in rural communities across Ireland. The initiative has shifted focus toward its next generation phase, Our Rural Future 2026-2031, following an extensive public consultation process.

The LEADER Programme, which supports economic development and job creation in rural areas, is a prime example of community-led local development.

It should also be noted that the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and the Building Acquisition Measure of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, invest in the regeneration of rural towns and villages, including measures for the acquisition of buildings for community use, which aligns with the concept of community wealth building. In addition, my Department’s Community and Language Support Programme provides ongoing capital and ongoing assistance to support community organisations and committees throughout the Gaeltacht that work for the Irish language and for the benefit of Gaeltacht communities.

The SICAP programme supports integrated approaches to community development, addressing disadvantage at local level and supporting community-led initiatives in urban and rural areas.

Separately, the Guidelines for the development of Local Economic and Community Plans (LECPs) by local authorities contain a clear framework for local economic development.  My department provides resources to the local authorities to support the work of the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), including the preparation and monitoring of the LECPs, through the Additional Staff Resource (ASR) fund.