4122. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if his Department offers funding schemes for local authorities to develop or refurbish parks used for skateboarding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60039/26]

While my department does not have a scheme specifically for local authorities to develop or refurbish parks used for skateboarding, there may be an avenue of support available under the following programmes.

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) introduced in 2016, is designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. This scheme places particular emphasis on projects which support sustainable employment creation, town centre resilience and regeneration, enhancing our streetscapes, and bringing derelict and vacant buildings and sites back into use as multi-purpose community spaces which can include recreational amenities. Over €217 million has been allocated to almost 2,000 projects since the launch of the scheme. TVRS funding has been approved for projects which included skateparks, for example, in Tullow Co Carlow, Robertstown Co Kildare, Dunboyne Co Meath and Longford Town. I expect to announce a new call for applications under this scheme shortly.

The CLÁR programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas. Last year I approved over €14 million for 238 projects under the programme, with funding being provided for community facilities and amenities including skateparks, community vehicles and specific support for island communities.

I was pleased to launch of the 2026 CLÁR programme on 10th March this year with a record budget of €12 million. Closing dates for all measures have now passed and I look forward to announcing the successful projects later in the year.

Also administered by my department is the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), a major capital investment programme which seeks to support large-scale, ambitious projects that can achieve sustainable economic and social development in rural areas.

Funding is allocated to local authorities and other State-funded bodies, who take the lead role in individual projects. To date, the RRDF has allocated over €610 million for 270 projects across Ireland.

RRDF projects include large-scale infrastructure projects in our towns and villages that aim to fundamentally contribute to the strategic development of that town or village, and projects which encourage the co-location of facilities to create a focal point of activity in a town or village centre, including community, sport and recreational facilities.

To date, the RRDF has supported two projects that included the development of designated skateboarding facilities as part of wider regeneration works. These projects are located in Kinnegan and Castlepollard. The most recent RRDF Category 1 Call for Proposals was opened in February last and closed on 28 July. The Call had a focus on strategically important, large-scale projects that are ready to commence and have full planning and other consents in place. Following the assessment of applications, it is anticipated an announcement of successful projects will be made before the end of this year.

Separately, the LEADER Programme does not directly fund projects administered by local authorities. However, should a community group wish to avail of funding to develop or refurbish parks used for skateboarding they should contact their LEADER Local Action Group in this regard.

Full details of all LEADER Local Action Groups and funding programmes administered by my department, are available on my department’s website.