237. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation who is accountable for delivery of the PEACEPLUS Change Maker Funding Programme; the service standards that apply; and the immediate measures that will address the backlog, communications failures and any resourcing shortfall. [75202/26]

238. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the way in which assessment queries for the PEACEPLUS Change Maker Funding Programme will be made proportionate and consistent; and the way in which applicants who followed support-partner advice will be protected where that advice conflicts with Pobal's requirements. [75201/26]

239. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation what happens to any part of the €40 million for the PEACEPLUS Change Maker Funding Programme that is not allocated or paid within the applicable deadlines; if it can be carried forward or reallocated; if not, if it must it be returned; if so, who decides; and the extensions or safeguards available. [75200/26]

240. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the reason there was only one call for PEACEPLUS Change Maker Funding Programme applications in 2026; the confirmed reopening, final application and award dates in 2027; and the month-by-month plan will ensure that the remaining allocation is committed by the end of 2027 without disadvantaging groups. [75199/26]

241. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the sums that were approved, contracted and actually paid in 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026 against the €40 million allocation for the PEACEPLUS Change Maker Funding Programme; to provide the position at the start of 2026, at 30 June 2026 and now; and to explain the slow pace shown by the published April and September figures. [75198/26]

242. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the reason decisions regarding the PEACEPLUS Change Maker Funding Programme are taking months beyond the processing period reported to applicants; whether a Christmas processing target been communicated; and the firm dates and regular updates that will be given to each outstanding applicant. [75197/26]

243. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the number of applications received for the PEACEPLUS Change Maker Funding Programme in the call closing on 30 June 2026; the total funding requested; and to provide a breakdown by investment area and the numbers and amounts approved, rejected, withdrawn and still awaiting decisions. [75196/26]

244. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the number of staff that are allocated specifically to the PEACEPLUS Change Maker Funding Programme, including assessment, administration and decision-making; whether they are dedicated staff or shared with other programmes; and the additional capacity is planned for staffing this programme. [75195/26]

245. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the person or body that assesses PEACEPLUS Change Maker Funding Programme applications; and to identify any contractor, its role, contract value and the final decision maker. [75194/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244 and 245 together.

The Change Maker Funding Programme is part of the PEACEPLUS programme 2021-27 which is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). €40m of funding is currently ringfenced under the PEACEPLUS Programme for the Change Makers Programme (Investment Areas,1.2 and 6.2).  This is funding which is designed for smaller scale projects (under €100k).

SEUPB is delivering the Change Maker Funding Programme in collaboration with Pobal and the support partners Cooperation Ireland, Rural Action and East Border Region. Pobal, in its role as Intermediary Body, is responsible for the key functions associated with the delivery of Investment areas 1.2 and 6.2.   Pobal has submitted an Assessment Plan to SEUPB which indicates that all applications arising from the Call which closed on the 30th June will be assessed by November 2026.  To facilitate timely decision making, Steering Committees have been meeting regularly to consider and review the remaining applications.

The role of the support partners is to assist applicants/underrepresented groups in the application process, and to ensure effective delivery and support for applicants. Their primary role is to provide guidance and support to applicants in line with Programme guidance as detailed in the Key Documents and Guides (available on the SEUPB website). The funding is competitive, and whilst SEUPB encourage applicants to seek advice from the support partners, it cannot be considered a guarantee that the application will be approved.  An assessment of the merits of each application is undertaken by Pobal and a recommendation is then made to a Steering Committee, made up of members from a range of different organisations, representing sectoral interests (e.g. community and voluntary sector, local representation, accountable departments etc).  Further Calls will open in 2027 and applicants who have not been successful can ask for feedback and reapply again to the Programme.

Further funding will continue to be committed to projects throughout 2026 / 2027 and 2028.  SEUPB, along with the Programme Monitoring Committee, will continue to monitor funding commitments at the Programme level, across all themes and investment areas, including Change Makers.  SEUPB will also remain in close consultation with the Accountable Departments in Northern Ireland and Ireland in relation to Change Makers and all other investment areas, ensuring that the funding is fully utilised under the Programme.

The Change Maker Funding Programme initially opened as a rolling call in November 2025.  However, following a review of the number of and pace of applications that were being submitted, in February 2026 a deadline of the 30th June was communicated across all SEUPB, Pobal and Cooperation websites, and social media channels.  Following on from this, the support partners hosted a number of online webinars and one-to-one engagements, complemented by a targeted communications campaign delivered in partnership with local radio stations. These actions promoted the programme to a wider audience and reinforced key messaging on eligibility and available funding. This outreach activity has contributed to more than 878 registrations on the programme portal.  Results of this engagement are demonstrated by the high volume of applications received by 30th June 2026. A further call is due to open early 2027.

Following the opening of the Call in November 2025 and as of 15 October, 186 projects have been approved across Investment Area (IA) 1.2 and IA 6.2, with a total value of €12,371,196.  SEUPB is required to update its website with details of approved projects on a quarterly basis. In addition, following each Steering Committee meeting, SEUPB issues a press release detailing all approved projects. These announcements are also promoted through SEUPB's social media channels to ensure wider visibility and awareness of funded projects.

All applicants have been informed of the anticipated decision-making timeline and are provided with regular updates by Pobal and the support partners, either proactively or on request.  Applicants are also notified in advance when their application is scheduled to be presented at Steering Committee (SC).

As of the 30 June 2026, there were 420 applications received with an approximate value of €26.5million. As of 15 October 2026, 186 projects have been approved across Investment Area (IA) 1.2 and IA 6.2, with a total value of €12,371,196.

51 Projects not recommended, 9 withdrawn and 174 still under appraisal or awaiting Steering committee decision

Pobal are the responsible body for undertaking assessments, as an intermediary body under the PEACEPLUS Programme for Change Makers. During 2026 there are 14.58 Full-Time Equivalents (excluding maternity leave) working on the PEACEPLUS Change Maker programme who are allocated specifically for assessment, administration, decision-making, verification and animation. An additional 1.95 Full-Time Equivalents are apportioned to Pobal staff who carry out dedicated work on the PEACEPLUS Change Makers programme.