4303. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the grant funding made available by his Department to local resident's groups or organisations towards the cost of establishing community rewilding projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58946/26]

My Department does not have any specific funding streams to support the establishment of rewilding projects. However, my Department does provide funding to Tidy Towns groups to assist with the important community work they undertake. This may include biodiversity projects, pollinator-friendly planting, wildflower meadows, and climate-focused sustainable living projects. Since 2017 my Department has provided in excess of €12 million to Tidy Towns groups nationwide to support this important work.

The LEADER programme themes and subthemes include areas relating to broad environmental objectives, including a theme on the Sustainable Development of the Rural Environment and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation. As the deputy will be aware the Local Action Groups are the key body in the “bottom-up” LEADER delivery model with each group responsible for selecting and awarding LEADER funding to projects within their geographical area. There are a number of nature and climate based projects approved by the LAGs in County Cork under the current LEADER programme.

The Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) could also offer some level of capital supports for organisations seeking to deliver small scale community projects such as those referenced by the deputy.

My colleague, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, Minister of State with responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, through the National Parks and Wildlife Service may also provide supports for such projects through the Local Biodiversity Action Fund (LBAF) and the Peatlands and Natura Community Engagement Scheme.