959. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to provide details of all grant schemes currently available through his Department for which individuals or community groups are eligible to apply; the purpose of each grant scheme; the eligibility criteria; the application process; the opening and closing dates for application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53423/26]

My Department administers a large number of grant schemes and programmes that support communities, community groups and organisations around the country, however it does not provide supports to individuals directly.

The Deputy will be pleased to know that since 2025, over €42 million has been allocated to Galway for rural and community development projects. Detailed information on all schemes and programmes, including details on eligibility criteria, the application process, the values of funds available, deadlines and all allocations awarded to date, can be found on my Department's website: www.gov.ie/drcd

Details of some of the grant schemes and programmes administered by my Department that are available to community groups include:

• The Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) provides capital supports essential for many small community groups and organisations, particularly those who serve disadvantaged areas.

• The Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF) provides funding for investments in Community Centres in order that these vital services remain useable, accessible, and safe and continue to meet the needs of the community into the future.

• The CLÁR programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas including Community Centre enhancements and small-scale refurbishments.

• The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) provides funding to support job creation, address de-population of rural communities and support improvements in our towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000.

• The Town and Village Renewal Scheme provides funding to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. It aims to improve the living and working environment of communities and increase their potential to support increased economic activity into the future.

• The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding for the development and enhancement of outdoor recreational infrastructure such as walking trails, cycleways and blue ways throughout rural Ireland.

• The LEADER Programme provides funding to support a broad range of activities which aim to respond to the diversity of the local needs of our rural areas.

I look forward to the continued positive impact of our grant schemes for communities right across the country, and I would encourage all groups to check my Department’s website, at []www.gov.ie/drcd, and to engage with their Local Community Development Committees, Local Development Companies and Public Participation Networks, to ensure they are aware of funding opportunities as they become available.