4284. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to provide an update on the Local Enhancement Programme; the total funding allocated in 2026; the number of applications received, approved and refused,; whether he intends to expand the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58127/26]

The Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) provides small capital grants to community and voluntary groups for the improvement/refurbishment of their facilities and/or the purchase of equipment and is delivered in every county in Ireland. It 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. In general, support under the LEP is available to any not-for-profit community or voluntary group. Commercial organisations and individuals are not eligible for funding.

The Local Enhancement Programme for 2026 was announced on 5 December 2025 and provided €7 million in capital supports to small community groups and organisations, particularly those who serve disadvantaged communities in rural and urban areas. The LEP is administered on behalf of the Department by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) across the country, with support from their Local Authority. LCDCs have the responsibility for appraising the applications and, once appraised, the LCDC submit their list of approved projects for funding to the Department. The LCDCs are best placed to make decisions into the eligibility of projects under the programme and also the type of projects funded.

The Department does not currently receive any information regarding the number of applications that were received by the LCDCs or the number of applications that were refused. Therefore, I am unable to provide the Deputy with this information. However, I announced the 4,144 successful projects that were approved for LEP 2026 funding on 2 July 2026 and the full list is available on my Department's website. As a result, the 2026 programme is now closed for applications.

This Department is currently considering a LEP for 2027 and all elements of the programme will be reviewed. The Department would encourage all community and voluntary organisations to check the Department's website and also to engage with their LCDCs, Local Development Companies and Public Participation Networks (PPN), to ensure they are aware of all existing funding opportunities.