Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 May 2024
664. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development what funding streams may be available to a horticulturist looking to provide a community garden service, location already acquired, to local older people; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22549/24]
View answerFunding for the development of community gardens is available under a number of my Department's funding programmes. The extent to which the proposal referred to by the Deputy is eligible under each programme will depend on the nature of the activity to be funded.
The Community Recognition Fund was first introduced in 2023 to recognise the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland. Through the 2023 allocation, funding of €50 million was approved for some 900 projects providing support to cities, towns and villages nationwide that have welcomed people from Ukraine and other countries. The supported projects included sensory and community gardens.
To further support communities, I announced an additional €50 million in funding under the Community Recognition Fund on March 15th last. The details of this round of funding are available on my Department's website, and there are a number of funding tranches in place over the coming months via the local authorities.
The CLÁR programme provides funding for small-scale infrastructural projects in rural areas that have suffered the greatest levels of population decline. CLÁR 2024 was launched on April 12th and is now open for applications. Community gardens are eligible for consideration under CLÁR measure 1. The proposed project must be located in a CLÁR area in order to be eligible for funding. Interested groups should make contact directly with their local authority who identify projects for submission to my Department for consideration.
Funding may be available through the LEADER Programme which supports a broad range of activities that respond to the diversity of the local needs of our rural areas. It is delivered through Local Action Groups (LAGs) across rural Ireland.
Primary Horticulture is ineligible for LEADER funding. However, community gardens where there is no commercial activity involved are eligible to be considered for funding. In order for a project to be eligible for LEADER funding, it must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved Local Development Strategy in the sub-regional area concerned, and it must comply with the operating rules and EU regulations in place for the programme.
Prospective applicants should, in the first instance, contact their relevant LAG, through its Implementing Partner, to discuss the eligibility of the project and the funding that may be available. Contact details for all LAGs are available on my Department’s website.
Climate Justice will be a core programme theme in the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2024-2028. There will be a focus on facilitating a just and equitable transition to a greener economy and society, including through education/awareness programmes and sustainable community initiatives.
Through the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme, a number of Local Development Companies are providing and maintaining access to community green spaces such as community gardens and allotments. Activities are focused on raising awareness and taking practical steps to mitigate climate change and loss of biodiversity. They are focusing on climate justice actions such as raising awareness of, and seeking to mitigate, the impact of climate change on vulnerable groups. The individual in question should make contact with their relevant Local Development Company to ascertain what supports may be available.
Finally I would like to note that funding may be available under the Local Enhancement Programme (LEP). The LEP provides capital support to groups to complete small capital works and/or the purchase of equipment for community use. The LEP is administered on behalf of my Department locally by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) across the country, with support from their local authority. The LEP has now closed for applications and details of successful projects will be available on my Department's website in the coming weeks.
