4288. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if his Department are preparing to expand the community development programme to include an additional ten community development projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58287/26]

4289. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if his Department will consider expanding the budget for the Community development Programme by four per cent to take account of inflation costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58288/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 4288 and 4289 together.

The aim of the Community Development Pilot Programme (CDP) is to trial community development initiatives that address poverty, social exclusion and inequality, and promote human rights by providing supports to the most severely marginalised.

The CDP was launched on 4th March 2021 with seven projects. Additional funding was made available in 2023 for the expansion of the programme. Following a closed call for applications in 2023, three additional projects were approved under the programme for 3 years.

In 2024, the Programme was extended for a further two years up to the 31st of December 2026. In 2025, after a review, the funding for each of the CDP Projects was increased by €25,000 to €150,000 for 2026.

Officials in my Department are currently examining the possibility of extending the CDP and increasing the number of CDP projects. Any increase in either the number of projects or the level of funding will be subject to the annual budgetary estimates process.

All schemes operated by my department including the CDP are reviewed on a regular basis, to ensure the funding available is put to best use in terms of supporting communities throughout the country.