Dara Calleary
Mayo · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“Agriculture is the backbone. We have all been in the Mansion House today, or everyone has said they were anyway. Energy security is key and crucial. Everybody wants energy security but nobody wants wind energy. We have to strike a balance and get a real discussion, but food security is most important.”
“While we have gaps there, we are addressing them. The Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, has announced the minor injury units, which will take the pressure off major hospitals and ensure services are available.”
“Recent figures from the CSO show that there is a 5.8% increase in the number of people living in rural areas between 2016 and 2022. In areas classified as highly rural and remote, the increase was 6.4%.”
“Enterprise Ireland is investing in Irish-owned, Irish-founded companies. Similarly, 59% of IDA investments were located outside the Dublin region. We will continue to work, looking at the progress we can make through the IDA, Enterprise Ireland and, as Senator O'Loughlin said, through supporting our local enterprise offices.”
“That is something we do daily and they are used where is necessary. The plan will be supported by ambitious, clear, practical and measurable actions. I have spoken to some of the funding programmes available within my Department.”
“Táim tar éis cuairt a thabhairt ar gach ceantar Gaeltachta chun plé fairsing a dhéanamh leis na pobail sin chun a fháil amach uathu féin cén cineál tacaíochta ar féidir a chur ar fáil dóibh chun cabhrú leo. Táim chun leanúint ar aghaidh leis an obair sin sa bhuiséad le teacht agus na buiséid eile.”
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“Departmental officials meet regularly with representatives of disability organisations bilaterally as part of regular meetings with the community and voluntary pillar and in a dedicated disability consultative forum. Disability groups are also represented at the annual pre-budget forum, the post-budget briefing and the annual social inclusion forum. Since October 2025, my officials have met several groups, including disabled persons and disabled persons' organisations, to discuss the cost of disability. In December, the cost-of-disability strategic focus network was the main agenda item of my Department's disability consultative forum. Officials from across the Government were in attendance at this meeting.”
“I thank the Deputy. The Government recognises the additional costs that are associated with having a disability. We are committed to improving outcomes for disabled people. The programme for Government includes a range of commitments to support disabled people, which includes a commitment to introduce an annual cost-of-disability support payment. In addition, under the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, which was developed with significant input from disability groups and their advocates, it was agreed to establish a strategic focus network summit on the cost of disability. While that is led by my Department, it will include other Government Departments. This is a cross-government endeavour and I will be hosting the summit on 13 May 2026.”
“There is a range of schemes there. I will engage with the National Youth Council of Ireland about how we package those schemes in a way that can be understood, and understand how they are relevant to the current demands of the labour market and the pressures that are on people. I will come back to the Deputy about underemployment.”
“I will certainly provide that information to the Deputy. The range of supports that Intreo advisers use includes Springboard+ and identifying Springboard+ opportunities. It provides free and sometimes heavily subsidised education for in-demand skill areas. We can match courses to people's skills and abilities. SOLAS continues to provide focused training programmes. There is also the work placement experience programme. With the back-to-work enterprise scheme allowance, I am encouraging people to set up their own businesses. That is something I am very passionate about. I will be asking the Department to focus on supporting people through the journey of setting up their own businesses, giving people options and, most importantly, providing the supports to go through that. We also have the short-term enterprise allowance.”
“Some 150 people have availed of this option and it is already being found to be particularly effective following a review undertaken jointly by us, the OECD and the European Commission. We will explore the potential for it to expand, with a specific focus on those who may have difficulties in securing employment. Our teams in Intreo are engaging closely and intensely with younger jobseekers to try to get them onto courses and into supports at the youngest possible age to avoid the chances of them being detached from the labour market.”
“I thank the Deputy. I confirm that we are monitoring all AI developments very closely. We are doing so in the context of developing the successor strategy to Pathways to Work. That strategy will include priorities for younger people. We expect it will be published in quarter 2 of this year. We have made some changes. I particularly draw the attention of the Deputy to the changes in Tús. The Tús work placement scheme is being extended to 18-year-olds who are in receipt of jobseeker's allowance or who are the beneficiaries of temporary protection, and those people who are assessed as having a low probability of being able to access work in the open labour market after they meet an employment personal adviser.”
“It highlighted a strong demand for workers with AI skills and indicated that the adoption of AI presents considerable potential for Ireland's employment and labour market. The Department of Finance has also published research on this subject. It has identified the at-risk sectors as being the ICT, financial, professional, scientific and technical sectors. It noted, which supports the Deputy's contention, that the impact of AI was likely to be more concentrated in entry-level jobs. We are monitoring these developments closely. I will get a chance to speak about the Pathways to Work process in my next response.”
“This rate includes not just young unemployed people but also younger people who may be disabled. The rate remains low by historical standards and compares favourably. However, I am concerned about the rate. I also agree with the Deputy's concerns about AI. However, as with earlier forms of technological progress, while AI will displace jobs, it will also create jobs and in doing so increase productivity, the gains from which will be reflected in general economic performance. It is too early to say with any confidence what the balance of these effects will be, though historical experience indicates that the gains may be more significant than the losses. That said, the expert group on future skills needs published a recent report which highlighted our leading global position in relation to AI.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as an gceist thábhachtach seo. According to the latest labour force survey, which was released by the Central Statistics Office, CSO, on 19 February, employment has been increasing for young people, standing at 323,200, which is up 6,000 over the past year. Reflecting this, the youth unemployment rate of 9.8% in quarter 4 of 2025 is lower than a year earlier, when the rate was at 9.9%. It is important to note that youth employment is in most economies generally about twice the level of unemployment. This is because youth labour data is impacted by participation in education. When participation in education is taken into account, the results of the survey also show that the rate of those not in education, employment or training stands at 6.3%.”
“Irish should be used in this House and in the other House every single day, not just for the two weeks of Seachtain na Gaeilge le go mbeidh daoine in ann í a fheiceáil á húsáid sa pharlaimint náisiúnta, san Oireachtas. Má tá daoine in ann Gaeilge a úsáid agus a fheiceáil go bhfuil Gaeilge á húsáid, beidh i bhfad níos mó daoine á húsáid. Gabhaim buíochas leis na Seanadóirí ar fad.”
“Tá réiteach tagtha anois agus táimid in ann a lán airgid bhreise a thabhairt do na heagraíochtaí Gaeilge chun tacú leis an obair atá siad ag déanamh i ngach chúinne den tír agus le gach duine sa tír. Tá deiseanna iontach ann. Tá spriocanna agus neart iontach ag an nGaeilge. Tá dúshláin ann gan dabht agus tá mé dírithe ar na dúshláin sin, go háirithe i gcúrsaí tithíochta agus cúrsaí pleanála teanga. Ach tá sé tábhachtach go gcuideoimid le daoine Gaeilge a úsáid agus go bhfuil, mar a dúirt mé, Seachtain na Gaeilge anseo sa Teach gach seachtain. Deirtear gach Nollaig "A puppy is not just for Christmas, it is for life". Níl Ghaeilge ann do Sheachtain na Gaeilge nó do mhí na Gaeilge; tá sí ann gach lá. I will say this in English.”
“Tá mé chun cuidiú le hoifigigh phleanála teanga ó gach cuid den tír an Luan seo chugainn, chun an t-athbhreithniú a d'fhoilsigh muid i mí Eanáir a phlé, agus na dúshláin atá ag oifigigh phleanála teanga a phlé freisin. Leag cúpla Seanadóir é sin amach. Gabhaim buíochas leis na heagraíochtaí Gaeilge a liostáil an Seanadóir Tully. Bhí a lán daoine ag caint faoi Chonradh na Gaeilge. Bhí cruinniú iontach againn leis na príomheagraíochtaí Gaeilge an tseachtain seo caite. An t-am seo anuraidh bhí fadhb mhór le Foras na Gaeilge agus an t-airgead a bhí ag teacht uaidh go dtí na heagraíochtaí Gaeilge. Bhí stailc ann. Tá an fhadhb sin réitithe ach thóg sé an-chuid ama mar gheall go bhfuil Foras na Gaeilge bunaithe faoi theorainneacha Comhaontú Aoine an Chéasta.”
“Dá mbeadh ardú 30% ag aon rannóg nó Roinn eile, bheadh ionadh ar dhaoine. Níl sé sin ach tús. Táim dírithe ar sin. Caithfimid infheistíocht eile agus breise a chur go dtí an Ghaeilge mar gheall ar an neart agus an fuinneamh atá ag an nGaeilge ag an bpointe seo. Tiocfaidh mé ar ais chuig an Seanadóir faoi Raidió Rí-Rá. Tá Raidió na Gaeltachta ag déanamh an-jab freisin. Tá sé tábhachtach go leagfaimid amach é. Tá mo chomhghleacaí Rialtais, an tAire, an Teachta O'Donovan, tar éis airgead breise - €5 milliún bhreise - a thabhairt go dtí TG4 chun go mbeidh sé in ann seirbhís nuachta neamhspleách a bhunú. Tá sé sin tábhachtach. Caithfimid infheistíocht bhreise a chur go dtí Raidió na Gaeltachta. Le hinfheistíocht bhreise i gcomhair chúrsaí pleanála teanga, tá €3 milliún bhreise le caitheamh ar chúrsaí phleanála teanga le haghaidh na bliana seo.”
“Mar a dúirt mé, b'fhéidir go mbeimid in ann microcourses a dhéanamh nó rud mar sin in éineacht leis na cúrsaí eile chun go mbeidh Gaeilge ag daoine. Chuir an Seanadóir Mullen ceist orm faoinár nUachtaránacht ar Chomhairle an Aontais Eorpaigh atá le teacht. Beidh an Ghaeilge i gcroílár na hUachtaránachta sin. Tá sé sin leagtha amach ag an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Thomas Byrne, iarAire Stáit na Gaeltachta, atá i gceannas ar an Uachtaránacht, ní hamháin le haghaidh chúrsaí Gaeilge agus cruinnithe Gaeilge, ach gach cruinniú. Tá sé leagtha amach ag an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Byrne. Ó thaobh chúrsaí airgeadais, táimid tar éis am a chaitheamh inniu agus oíche aréir ag an gcoiste Gaeltachta agus mé ag plé na Estimates. Tá ardú 30% le haghaidh na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta don bhliain seo.”
“Bhí an méid a leag an Seanadóir Ní Chuilinn amach maidir le cúrsaí oideachais thar a bheith suimiúil. Déanaim comhghairdeas léi ar an gclár ina raibh sí, anseo i dTeach Laighean, ar TG4 oíche Déardaoin. Léiríonn sé na dúshláin atá ann, agus táim chun iad a phlé leis an Aire oideachais. Freisin, táimid tar éis foghrúpa a bhunú faoin bplean gníomhaíochta chun leagan amach agus oibriú amach cén chaoi a mbeimid in ann na spriocanna a fháil, mar a dúirt sí agus an Seanadóir Mullen, chun innealtóirí agus a leithéid a fháil. Ba cheart go mbeadh Gaeilgeoirí i mo Roinn Coimirce Sóisialaí, ní hamháin daoine atá ina gcónaí sa Ghaeltacht ach ionas go mbeidh Gaeilgeoirí in ann seirbhísí Gaeilge a úsáid agus iad ag déileáil leis an Roinn Choimirce Sóisialaí. Tá foghrúpa le bunú faoi chúrsaí oideachais.”
“Tá an post sin bunaithe i gContae Mhaigh Eo, so beidh sé iontach. Léiríonn sé go bhfuilimid ag díriú isteach. Níl na figiúirí agam faoi na deontais go mbaineann muintir na Gaeltachta úsáid astu le haghaidh tithe folmha agus tithe a chur ar ais, ach tá siad láidir. Tá mé tar éis trí meetings a bheith agam leis an bpríomhfheidhmeannach sna húdaráis áitiúla atá i gceannas ar chúrsaí pleanála. Tuigim go gcaithfimid an ráiteas a fháil, agus táim ag cur brú ar an Aire faoi sin, ach táim ag díriú isteach ar chúrsaí tithíochta. Táim ag súil go mbeidh daoine ag seasamh le haghaidh na n-athruithe atá an tAire, an Teachta Browne, á dhéanamh go dtí na short-term lettings. Má tá tú ag iarraidh níos mó tithe sa Ghaeltacht, beidh tú ag seasamh leis an mBille sin.”
“Nuair a bhaineann tú úsáid as, tá sé cosúil le rothaíocht nó tiomáint - the more you use it, the more confident you will get. If you do not use it, you will lose it. Gabhaim buíochas le gach duine. Faoi chúrsaí tithíochta, tá tithíocht faoi chúram an Aire tithíochta, ach táim ag obair go dian ar chúrsaí tithíochta sa Ghaeltacht. Táimid tar éis cúpla cruinniú a fháil leis an údarás, le príomhfheidhmeannach an údaráis, chun scrúdú an talamh atá aige, go háirithe mar a bhí luaite ag an Seanadóir Kyne, cén sórt seirbhísí atá ar an talamh seo agus cúrsaí séarachais. Beidh cruinniú ag Uisce Éireann agus an údarás. Tá an t-údarás tar éis airgead a thabhairt chun oifigí nua a chur ann agus cóiríocht a dhéanamh ar thithe folmha sna ceantair Ghaeltachta. Tá a lán ann, ach níl na figiúirí sin againn.”
“Gabhaim buíochas le gach Seanadóir a ghlac páirt sa díospóireacht seo, go háirithe na Seanadóirí nach bhfuil Gaeilge acu. Glacann sé misneach seasamh anseo chun an Ghaeilge a úsáid. Senator Cosgrove's Irish is excellent. She should use it more. Má bhí fáinne ag an Seanadóir Craughwell sna seascaidí, tá Gaeilge líofa aige. I mo scéal féin, rinne mé Gaeilge go dtí an ardteist agus níor bhain mé úsáid as focal Gaeilge ó m'ardteist go dtí gur toghadh mé go dtí an Dáil - le haghaidh 16 bliain. Le cuidiú ó na hiriseoirí Gaeilge a bhí ann ag an am, sin an fáth ar thosaigh mé ag úsáid na Gaeilge a bhí agam. Tá Gaeilge ag gach duine sa tír seo. B'fhéidir go bhfuil sé deep sa chliabh ach tá sé ag gach duine. Tá sé tábhachtach go mbeidh daoine cosúil leis an Seanadóir Cosgrove in ann í a úsáid, go bhfuil an misneach acu í a úsáid ar dtús.”
“Deich mbliana ó shin, ní raibh plean náisiúnta um sheirbhísí poiblí Gaeilge nó plean gníomhaíochta do na seirbhísí sin againn ach is cuid lárnach den éiceachóras teanga iad na nithe radacacha agus claochlaitheacha sin a thacaíonn lenár n-iarrachtaí úsáid na teanga a fhorbairt, go háirithe sa tseirbhís phoiblí. Is cinnte go bhfuil dúshláin ag baint leis sin, a thógfaidh píosa fada le réiteach, ach táimid ag leagan síos struchtúir, polasaithe agus reachtaíochta a sheasfaidh don 20 bliain amach romhainn agus a imreoidh tionchar dearfach ar úsáid na Gaeilge sa chóras Stáit in imeacht aimsire.”
“Le foilsiú an phlean gníomhaíochta le déanaí, tá aonad gnó nua faoi stiúir phríomhoifigigh eile bunaithe chun cur i bhfeidhm an phlean a chinntiú. Ciallaíonn sé sin go bhfuil trí aonad gnó faoi stiúir beirt phríomhoifigigh éagsúla ag plé le cur i bhfeidhm gnéithe éagsúla d'Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, rud atá de dhíth i bhfianaise na hoibre athchóirithe atá i gceist. Mar fhocal scoir, is minic atá sé ráite agam gur gá dúinn éiceachóras teanga a fhorbairt agus a chothú seachas breathnú ar bhearta aonaracha i bhfolús. Tá sé ríthábhachtach seasamh siar agus breathnú ar an áit a bhfuilimid anois le hais na háite a raibh muid deich mbliana ó shin. I gcomhthéacs na hoibre sin, gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir Seán Kyne as an obair a rinne sé mar Aire Stáit sa Roinn.”
“Is fiú a lua go bhfuil éileamh as cuimse tagtha ar chúrsaí Gaeilge don Státseirbhís tríd an bhForas Riaracháin le roinnt blianta anuas, ó 163 in earrach 2022 go gar do 600 anois in earrach 2026. Beifear ag plé go dlúth leis an bhForas Riaracháin as seo go ceann píosa mar sin chun tógáil ar an dea-obair seo. Táthar sna céimeanna deireanacha den phróiseas bainteach le hathbhreithniú neamhspleách atá déanta ar thionscnamh ardscileanna na Gaeilge mo Roinne. Is cinnte go ndéanfar breithniú ar thorthaí an athbhreithnithe sin chomh maith agus na chéad chéimeanna eile á n-aithint sa spás seo. Maidir le hacmhainní a chur ar fáil don obair seo go léir, ba chóir dom a rá gur cruthaíodh aonad gnó nua laistigh de mo Roinn nuair a achtaíodh an tAcht faoi stiúir ról nua príomhoifigigh.”
“Chuige sin, leagann an plean gníomhaíochta béim ar uasoiliúint agus ar inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge a choinneáil i gcomhthéacs an sprioc earcaíochta 20% a bhaint amach. Chuige sin, tá grúpa oibre earnála le bunú agus le tionól go luath faoin bplean chun breithniú a dhéanamh ar an gcaoi ar féidir leis an earnáil oideachais threasaigh tacú le spriocanna na hearnála poiblí a bhaint amach mar atá leagtha amach sa phlean náisiúnta agus san Acht. Díreofar tríd an bplean gníomhaíochta freisin ar fhorbairt modúl agus micreadhintiúir trí Ghaeilge go príomha a d'fhéadfaí a dhéanamh in éineacht le cúrsaí eile. Déanfar iniúchadh freisin ar na deiseanna atá ann chun tabhairt faoi chúrsaí Gaeilge taobh le clár eile agus é seo á thairiscint i gcúpla ollscoil cheana féin.”
“Chuige sin, tá réimse cúrsaí trí Ghaeilge á maoiniú ag mo Roinn in institiúidí tríú leibhéal éagsúla faoinár dtionscnamh ardscileanna Gaeilge le roinnt mhaith blianta anuas. Is é taithí na Roinne óna bheith ag riar an tionscnaimh, áfach, nach roghnaíonn ach líon beag mac léinn na cúrsaí seo gach bliain. Léiríonn sé seo do mo Roinn nach iad cúrsaí lánGhaeilge i réimse leathan clár léinn an uirlis is éifeachtaí chun sprioc earcaíochta an Achta a bhaint amach mar go n-éilíonn an cuspóir seo soláthar ar scála. Is í príomhthosaíocht mo Roinn sa tréimhse amach romhainn, mar sin, a chinntiú go mbeidh deis ag cainteoirí agus foghlaimeoirí Gaeilge teagmháil a choinneáil léi agus iad ag dul tríd an gcóras oideachais tríú leibhéal.”
“Dá bharr sin, seachas díriú ar an áit ina bhfuil muid faoi láthair, cuirtear béim sa phlean náisiúnta agus gníomhaíochta ar bhearta bainteach leis an sprioc earcaíochta sin a bhaint amach idir cúrsaí uasoiliúna, earcaíocht réamhghníomhach agus bearta eile a thacóidh le cultúr eagraíochtúil dearfach i dtaobh an dátheangachais a chothú. Tógann sé freisin ar an tsuim shoiléir a léiríodh tríd an taighde don phlean náisiúnta i measc oibrithe na seirbhíse poiblí a n-inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge a fheabhsú, chomh maith lena ndearcadh dearfach i leith na teanga go ginearálta. Mar a bhaineann sé le soláthar, aithním an luach a bhaineann le cúrsaí iomlán trí mheán na Gaeilge ag leibhéil 7 agus 8 i réimse leathan clár léinn a chur ar fáil do phobal labhartha na Gaeilge.”
“Áirítear leis seo foghrúpa earcaíochta atá deartha go sonrach leis an gcuspóir 20% i gcuimhne agus ina bhfuil oifigigh ó mo Roinn féin, ón Roinn Caiteachais Phoiblí, Bonneagair, Athchóiriúcháin Seirbhíse Poiblí agus Digitiúcháin, agus ó PhoistPhoiblí. Bunaíodh grúpa oibre teicniúil freisin ina bhfuil oifigigh shinsearacha ó Ranna Rialtais agus ó chomhlachtaí seirbhíse poiblí eile chun déileáil le cúrsaí teicneolaíochta a bhaineann leis an Acht. Ní gá dom a rá ach gur sprioc uaillmhianach agus fíordhúshlánach í sprioc earcaíochta na reachtaíochta seo.”
“Tá an tacaíocht trasrannach agus an leibhéal dea-thola atá faighte ag mo chuid oifigeach le linn an phróisis seo thar a bheith dearfach. Léiríonn sé sin an fonn atá ann ar fud na seirbhíse poiblí i leith chur i bhfeidhm an Achta agus soláthar seirbhísí trí Ghaeilge ag an Stát. Tá baill shinsearacha ó eagraíochtaí ar fud na seirbhíse poiblí ar an gcoiste comhairleach, lena n-áirítear Ranna Rialtais; an Ghníomhaireacht Bainistíochta Rialtais Áitiúil; Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte; An Garda Síochána; mo Roinn eile, an Roinn Coimirce Sóisialaí; agus an soláthraí earcaíochta, PoistPhoiblí. Tá foghrúpaí bunaithe ag an gcoiste comhairleach freisin chun ábhair shonracha a phlé agus cur chuige comhoibríoch a chinntiú maidir le réitigh ar na nithe sin.”
“Bunaíodh an coiste comhairleach um sheirbhísí Gaeilge faoin Acht i mí an Mheithimh 2022 chun cur chuige comhordaithe a stiúradh maidir le cur i bhfeidhm na reachtaíochta, go príomha trí phlean náisiúnta maidir le soláthar seirbhísí poiblí trí mheán na Gaeilge a ullmhú, mar aon le pleananna gníomhaíochta tacaíochta chun na bearta sonracha intomhaiste a ghlacfar idir seo agus 2030 a leagan amach, go háirithe príomhchuspóir an Achta, is é sin, go mbeidh 20% d’earcaigh chuig comhlachtaí poiblí inniúil i nGaeilge faoi dheireadh 2030. Foilsíodh na pleananna sin i mí Dheireadh Fómhair 2024 agus i mí Eanáir 2026 faoi seach, agus tá béim curtha agam ar a dtábhacht do chomhghleacaithe Rialtais chun ár gcuspóirí comhroinnte a bhaint amach thar na cúig bliana atá romhainn.”
“Tá Seachtain na Gaeilge ag tosú níos luaithe gach bliain. Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach agus le Cléireach an tSeanaid as an gcuireadh a bheith anseo anocht. Ó achtaíodh Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021 ceithre bliana ó shin, tá mo Roinn ag obair go dícheallach chun a chinntiú go gcuirfear i bhfeidhm go rathúil é ar fud na seirbhíse poiblí.”
“My Department and my colleagues across the Government are committed to making sure that the required supports are in place to ensure that rural communities are in a position to grow and thrive. We were delighted to be able to secure from our colleague, the Minister, Jack Chambers, a sum of €611 million in budget 2026. That will allow us to make further calls for applications to local authorities under schemes such as the rural regeneration and development fund, RRDF, CLÁR and the community centres investment fund. As always, there are a range of opportunities open to local authorities from within our Department to assist in the development of projects and I look forward to taking up the Senator's invitation to visit County Kildare once again and experience her wonderful hospitality. We will include Monasterevin on our trip.”
“There is no doubt that there is huge potential for projects such as the one the Senator referenced. They will provide services and supports that not only sustain communities in County Kildare and throughout the country, but also develop them and allow communities to enjoy the facilities that are there. We support projects across the Government to help with not just housing requirements, but also community requirements, and to help develop the sporting and recreational facilities that are used by people every day to maintain and enrich our cultural heritage. The project the Senator speaks about sounds like a fantastic opportunity to mix all of those ambitions.”
“It saw impactful and important improvements delivered across Government in areas such as digital connectivity, rural transport, support for rural enterprises and the development and support of the types of amenities and facilities that Senator O'Loughlin has raised here today. In keeping with our commitment in the programme for Government, work is now well advanced on the drafting of a new our rural future policy, which will cover the period to 2031. I remain committed to working with Senator O'Loughlin and all colleagues in this House to ensure that we will continue to build a more vibrant and sustainable future for rural communities across Ireland, Kildare and in Monasterevin.”
“I was delighted be able to make that announcement in Athy, at the Shackleton centre. I am happy to note that the announcement includes an allocation of over €160,000 for Kildare County Council to support the Monasterevin town square regeneration projects. My officials continue to work closely with colleagues in Kildare County Council towards delivering on our shared ambition for rural Ireland and for Kildare. All of these investments are framed within the context of the Government's national rural development policy, Our Rural Future. The current policy ran from 2021 to 2025.”
“This is because the local authorities in the main, lead the development and implementation of our projects on the ground. I am very happy to say that my Department has worked very well with Kildare County Council on an ongoing basis in recent years across a range of projects. Most recently, I was delighted to be able to announce support under the town and village renewal scheme. Among the 116 projects sharing in the funding allocation were projects in Clane and Athgarvan. In October, I was delighted to announce over €20 million in support for 30 projects under category 2 of the rural regeneration and development fund. Category 2 funding is designed to support applicants such as county councils to ensure that detailed planning and preparation is in place to support the successful delivery of large-scale capital projects.”
“Support is available to local authorities and other organisations in a wide range of areas, including: the refurbishment and development of community centres; provision of community recreational facilities; support for the purchase and redevelopment of vacant and derelict buildings in our rural towns and villages; the strengthening of the network of trails and walkways, which are such an asset; and the regeneration of towns and villages and the regeneration of buildings that may be in local authority ownership or community ownership, for use. In developing this range of interventions, my Department has devoted significant time and effort to develop and to maintain our professional working relationships with local authorities.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir as an ábhar seo a ardú. I thank the Senator not just for raising the issue but for the rich history she has given us. The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht implements a range of schemes and initiatives available to communities across Ireland, including Monasterevin. The supports most relevant to today are those offered under my Department's rural development investment programme. This programme has seen unprecedented growth in funding in recent years and I have had the privilege, as Minister, of seeing at first hand the real impact it is making across the country.”
“We will work to assist communities in terms of the knowledge and work necessary to prepare for that application process. That is work that will be worthwhile when we get to opening that particular scheme. I assure the Deputy the Government and the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer and I are very focused on backing and supporting community ambition.”
“I cannot give commitments on the floor of the House to specific groups without seeing the detail. I know the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, is engaging and working hard with the Mayfield community in particular. We have substantially transformed the funding opportunities available for libraries in recent years. That funding is available through local authorities and working in partnership with local authorities. I can assure the Deputy in relation to investment in community centres. The investment in the refurbishment is very important. As we discussed earlier, this has resulted in a 90% increase in usage in existing facilities. In regard to new builds, I am very focused on delivering the current plans but also on opening up a new funding round for new builds.”
“Many of the new builds we are working on have been done in association with either local authorities or local development companies, which also have the expertise to assist community groups in doing that. I can give the Deputy some information as to what local groups can support in terms of providing that skill and expertise. The Deputy has given me an idea there and we will work on that in regard to a resource for communities.”
“There are supports available but the Deputy has given me an idea to think about in terms of centralising some of the supports there. In regard to the new-builds in particular, I am anxious to ensure the ones that were announced are up and running. We will take the lessons of those and put them into somewhere for communities to assist in bringing new builds on. The new builds programme is a priority because I understand there are many communities that need a new-build facility. I assure the Deputy it is a priority for me and the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, during our term in the Department, that we will have another round of new builds. The work the Deputy just described is the kind of work that needs to be under way now to prepare for an application process in terms of getting all those pieces together.”
“I understand that at the same time, there are areas that require a new centre. While my immediate focus is on delivering refurbishment this year, it is my intention to direct further iterations of funding towards support for new-build projects. I also note that there are substantial levels of investment under way in community facilities through LEADER and the town and village renewal scheme. I would particularly direct the Deputy there if he has projects in mind in regard to the building acquisitions measure and also the rural regeneration and development fund, RRDF.”
“These projects involve considerable levels of investment but will have a transformational impact in the communities in which they are located. I have visited and made it a priority to engage with these projects and I am delighted to say that seven of the 12 projects have received final approval. They have appointed contractors, with the remaining five progressing through tender and design stage. My priority in relation to this element of the scheme is to ensure those projects progress to completion and that communities will begin to see the real benefits of the investment. My focus for 2026 is to deliver a CCIF round to support the refurbishment work on existing community centres. There are hundreds of community groups out there that want enhancement works for their facilities.”
“We had a very good discussion earlier and I agree with the Deputy about the importance of the community centre investment fund, CCIF, which was introduced to provide high-quality, accessible community spaces available to all groups in communities. Some €110 million has been allocated since 2022 for the enhancement and refurbishment of existing community centres and the construction of 12 new centres in areas around the country where a need was identified. The 2023 community centre investment fund was opened specifically for those groups striving to build their own community centre. That scheme provided funding of up to €6 million for new community centres on greenfield or brownfield sites. Over €30 million was approved for the construction of 12 new community centres under the scheme.”
“As we discussed with Deputy McGuinness, the Deputy will see that in the new Our Rural Future policy, actions will be assigned to Departments, and we will drive the delivery of those actions. I am very happy to compare what we are doing here and to compare the ambition with what we are doing here. I would like to do more of it and I assure the Deputy that I will.”
“I will happily compare everything we are doing here to what is happening under other governments and under First Minister O'Neill. The Deputy referred to my predecessor. My predecessor delivered €440 million to over 160 projects through RRDF since 2020, over €235 million through the town and village renewal scheme and over €110 million through the rural social scheme. This money is changing and transforming rural communities across the country. As Minister, Heather Humphreys, ensured a revolution in terms of the schemes initiated by the Department. I am building on that and on extra investment, working with Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, to do that. We are also driving it. It is not just our Department, a point I made to Deputy Smith earlier. We are in charge of rural policy but every Department has a role in it.”
“We spoke earlier about the community centre investment programme, and we may get to Deputy Gould's question on this. It is transforming community facilities in rural communities. We have spoken throughout the morning about rural ambition being delivered from within communities that is being matched by Government support and by Government ambition, which we clearly outlined in the new Our Rural Future policy, a policy that will be a whole-of-government one and which will drive rural proofing across all Departments and agencies.”
“Rural proofing is delivering a record budget for the Department of Rural and Community Development agus an Gaeltacht - an investment that is going to make a difference in rural communities right across the country. Rural proofing is ensuring that Government is delivering on policies in many areas. I was in Achill last Tuesday and saw TFI Anseo, a pilot rural transport scheme that brings rural transport on demand. I am delighted to assure the Deputy that it is operating very successfully. We will work with the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, and Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, as the Minister of State in charge in that space, to develop services in rural communities right across the country. We are delivering record capital investment. The Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, is delivering current investment.”
“My officials are also continuing to bring awareness to the importance of rural proofing through the many interdepartmental groups they participate in and in the ongoing engagements we have referred to with other Departments regarding the development of our new Our Rural Future policy. I remain clear that by taking a clear account of rural perspectives in the policymaking process at the earliest possible stage, we will develop better and, most importantly, more effective policies for rural communities.”
“In recognising this, my Department developed a guide to rural proofing for policymakers to build on and strengthen existing approaches, and to serve as a practical tool to assist policymakers in the rural proofing process. Including a simplified rural proofing assessment template and key resources, the guide provides a clear outline of what rural proofing is and seeks to make rural proofing easier to understand and, most importantly, to implement. The principal purpose is to aid and support policymakers to "think rural" when developing policies. The guide, which is available online, has been circulated to all Departments and will be added to the suite of tools used by policymakers.”
“I thank the Deputy for the question. Rural proofing refers to the processes adopted by policymakers to ensure that new programmes and initiatives understand, and take account of, the specific needs and capacities of rural communities. Our Rural Future, the national rural development policy, commits to strengthening our approach to rural proofing across all Government policies. In addressing this issue, my Department commissioned a research report on rural proofing and undertook a rural proofing pilot on a number of policy initiatives across a number of Departments. This work also took cognisance of the fact that a level of rural proofing is already taking place within the current system, although it may not be labelled with a formal "rural proofing" tag.”
“All morning, we have discussed the community centres investment fund, CCIF, in Gaeltacht areas, in the community services programme and in the town and village renewal scheme. They are being driven by and in the interests of the rural communities and they are changing the future of rural communities. The forthcoming dedication of Our Rural Future will show our ambition as a Government working in partnership. The various independent analyses of our Our Rural Future that are to come will give a good sense of our ambition in that space.”