4290. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht whether his Department will review its reliance on multiple competitive, time-limited grant schemes for essential community infrastructure and examine replacing elements of this approach with transparent, multi-annual allocations to each local authority based on population, rurality, deprivation, service deficits and the condition of existing facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58449/26]

4291. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the total number of separate competitive grant schemes administered by his Department in each year from 2021 to 2026; the number of applications received, approved and refused under each scheme; the estimated staff and administrative cost to the Department, local authorities and community organisations of preparing and assessing these applications; and whether he has assessed if a consolidated, formula-based funding model would provide greater certainty, equity and value-for-money. [58450/26]

4292. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht whether he accepts that requiring communities to compete repeatedly for funding for basic maintenance, accessibility works, energy upgrades and the continued operation of essential local facilities may advantage organisations with greater voluntary, professional or administrative capacity; and whether he will introduce a guaranteed baseline, multi-annual community infrastructure allocation for each county, weighted according to need and supplemented by competitive funding for exceptional projects. [58451/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 4290 to 4292, inclusive, together.

My Department administers a range of grant schemes and programmes that support rural development, community development, and the development of the Gaeltacht and the Irish language.

Extensive information on the available funding and supports is provided on my Departments website at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development-and-the-gaeltacht/services/available-funding-and-supports/

Details of approved projects, including funding amounts, is also provided on the website at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development-and-the-gaeltacht/collections/funding-allocated-by-the-department/

This information covers the period requested by the deputy, 2021 to 2026, with information on prior years also set out where the scheme was in operation.

The programmes and schemes operated by my Department reflect the objectives and actions set out in key national policies, in particular Our Rural Future; Sustainable, Inclusive and Empower Communities, and; the 20 year Strategy for the Irish Language. These policies aim to make progress across a range of areas from rural economic development, to ensuring access to services, addressing social exclusion and supporting our Gaeltacht communities.

The operational models in place for scheme delivery depend on the specific scheme, with an overarching focus on coherence with national policy while also ensuring a direct link to local needs and priorities, which ensures targeted investment and underpins value for money.

Schemes such as the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) and the Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) provide high level allocations by county. The LEADER programme is administered in line with the provisions of EU regulations, but also operates on a model whereby high level allocations are made on a geographic basis. The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) operates on a similar model, with high level allocations made to specific geographic areas, with a particular focus on deprivation given the objectives of the scheme.

Other schemes, for example, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) and the Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF), operate by way of application and approval processes. For the RRDF this is necessary as given the scale of projects being supports funding for each call could not be split across local authorities. Of equal importance is ensuring projects are assessed in terms of alignment with scheme objectives and that all requirements such as planning consents are in place. These processes are also important for managing budgets on a multiannual basis as, generally, funding for capital projects can only be provided on the basis of works completed. For all schemes geographic balance is an important element of decision making and all counties are benefiting significantly from the range of schemes.

I would also note that, regardless of operational models, application and approval processes are required so as to ensure funding is being put to best use, value for money is achieved, and that all funding is administered in compliance with relevant central circulars. I am confident that the different operational models in place are efficient and that our constant engagement with local authorities and community groups ensures any issues are addressed as we keep our schemes under ongoing review.

Finally, County Cork has been a very significant beneficiary under the schemes in question. For example, since 2020 over €35.5 million has been allocation for 17 major RRDF projects across County Cork, €11.75 million has been allocation to Cork County Council under the LIS and €10.7 million has been allocated for 189 CCIF projects across County Cork.