Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 December 2020
696. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the cost value of supports made available by her Department to date in 2020 to rural community-based groups throughout the country in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43509/20]
View answerThe 2020 Revised Estimate provides almost €375 million in funding to my Department this year, with an allocation of €199.7 million for rural development and of €170.6 million for community development.
Many of my Department's funding programmes are open to rural community-based groups. The Community Services Programme is of particular importance, with funding of over €45 million supporting around 450 community-based organisations to provide local social, economic and environmental services through a social enterprise model and create employment opportunities for disadvantaged people. The Community Enhancement Programme channelled small grant supports of over €11 million to community groups throughout the country this year, with a particular focus on the community response to Covid-19. I would also note that the Covid-19 Stability Fund has provided €45 million in grant supports to C&V organisations, charities and social enterprises in 2020 - with around 600 organisations benefitting from these substantial supports. Finally, the LEADER programme is providing significant funding to rural areas and communities, with €45 million being spent on the programme this year supporting both rural enterprises and rural community groups.
The supports provided to community groups, in both rural and urban areas, are a vital part of the work of my Department and I am pleased with the level of funding, and the responsiveness of that funding, in 2020. Full information on programmes and lists of successful grantees are made available on the drcd.gov.ie website.
