Ministers Dara Calleary and Jerry Buttimer have announced €7 million in funding under the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht’s Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) 2026. The funding aims to provide capital support to small community groups and organizations across Ireland, with a particular focus on disadvantaged communities in both rural and urban areas.
The LEP 2026 funding will support small-scale capital works, equipment purchases, and facility improvements. Projects may include enhancing accessibility for people with disabilities, increasing participation among disadvantaged and marginalized groups, and improving energy efficiency in community facilities. The programme ensures that local priorities are addressed and benefits a wide range of groups, including community centres, parish halls, and local voluntary organizations.
Minister Calleary highlighted that the funding will support thousands of vital community groups nationwide, helping them strengthen social bonds and maintain the fabric of local communities. He emphasized that supporting communities is a key focus of the government’s rural development policy, Our Rural Future, and encouraged groups to participate in consultations shaping the next iteration of this policy. Funding will be administered through Local Community Development Committees (LCDC) in each area, ensuring projects meet local needs.
Minister Buttimer noted that the LEP funding enables community groups to improve and enhance their facilities and equipment, contributing to resilient and vibrant communities. He acknowledged the important role of local authorities in supporting communities and emphasized the tangible impact of previous LEP funding, citing examples from Cork City where over €500,000 has been allocated for 2026. Both ministers stressed the programme’s role in fostering connected, supported, and empowered communities throughout Ireland.
