4253. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the pathway open to projects in Drogheda to submit applications to the SÍOL Programme via Louth County Council; when will applications open; the projects or groups that will be able to apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55242/26]

The new SÍOL programme was launched on 8 July 2026, when funding of €5 million was announced to support the 15 areas which have been designated as SÍOL areas. SÍOL, which means ‘Seed’ in English, stands for Scéim Infheistíochta ag Obair Le Chéile, and translates to the ‘Working Together Investment Scheme’. Capital funding of €31.5 million has been secured up to 2030 in the National Development Plan to support the new SÍOL programme.

The programme uses an evidence base including the Pobal HP Deprivation Index, information from the CSO report Urban and Rural Life in Ireland, and research by the ESRI. In addition, the programme takes into consideration the areas in Ireland covered by the CLÁR programme to ensure geographical complementarity. Priority is given to those small areas with the highest population of extreme disadvantage, and the scheme is designed to provide similar supports to these areas that is given to rural areas through schemes such as CLÁR.

The programme aims to deliver supports such as community safety projects, public realms works, projects to support health and wellbeing initiatives, and projects that support access to education and training, while targeting the supports to the urban areas with the highest concentration of disadvantage.

A Call for Proposals issued to all local authorities including with responsibility for SÍOL areas including Louth County Council on 8 July 2026 and the deadline for the submission of applications for funding is 14 August 2026. The Department will only accept applications submitted directly by Local Authorities.

Local Authorities should develop projects in partnership with the local community. This could involve Local Authorities engaging with schools, community and voluntary groups, LDCs and other Government Agencies in the relevant area to ensure that the most suitable projects are identified. Local Authorities may also self-deliver projects. It is expected that the successful projects will be announced in late 2026 and all projects must be completed within 18 months of approval.

I encourage any community group or project that believes they have a project that may be eligible for funding under SÍOL, to engage directly with their Local Authority.

Further information on the programme is available on my Department's website including the full list of SÍOL areas and the Electoral Divisions that comprise them.