- €192 million secured for continued delivery of rural development schemes, with increased funding for the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS), CLÁR, Outdoor Recreation, and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
- €260 million for community development schemes, with increased funding for the Community Services Programme (CSP); and funding for a new RAPID-style scheme to commence in 2026.
- Additional funding of over €36 million for Gaeltacht, the Irish Language, and for the Islands. This provides €159 million for enhanced supports across a range of schemes and for delivery of key capital projects – Inis Oírr pier, the Irish Language and Cultural Centre in Harcourt Street, and the new Educational and Youth Facility in Indreabhán, Co Galway.
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, and Minister of State, Jerry Buttimer TD, today announced a Budget package worth €611 million for 2026.
This funding ensures continued investment across the range of current and capital schemes operated by the Department, supporting the economic and social development of communities right across the country, including the Gaeltacht and the Islands.
The Department’s Rural Development programme will total €192 million, continuing the sustained investment of recent years and supporting the range of schemes that are key to delivery of Our Rural Future. Funding increases will be made available for the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS), CLÁR, Outdoor Recreation, Town and Village Renewal.
Across the Community Development area total funding of €260 million will be available for 2026. €74 million is being allocated to SICAP and other social inclusion supports. This includes €13 million per annum for important community integration work, helping to support new arrivals.
The Community Services Programme will increase by €4 million, to €59.4 million and funding for the Community Centre Investment Fund will increase by €3 million to €20 million which will support targeted measures to assist communities in becoming more storm resilient.
Funding of €159 million will be available in 2026 for the Gaeltacht, Irish Language and Islands Programme, an increase of over €36 million. This allocation will provide a wide range of supports to Gaeltacht areas and fund initiatives to strengthen the Irish language. It will also support the development of our island communities and the provision of vital transport services for the islands. Increased capital investment will also enable significant infrastructure projects to be delivered over the coming years.
Speaking today, Minister Calleary said:
“I’m pleased to have secured funding of €611 million for my Department as part of Budget 2026. This builds on strong investment in recent years, and it demonstrates the Government’s continued support for rural and community development, the Gaeltacht, and the Islands. This funding will benefit communities up and down the country.
“With this level of investment, we can continue to deliver on the aims of ‘Our Rural Future’ and start the implementation of its successor policy, which will be launched next year.”
Minister of State Buttimer, who has responsibility for Community Development and Charities, added:
“Budget 2026 will support the Government’s ongoing commitment to promote social inclusion, community development, and the community and voluntary sector. €260 million in funding will be available in 2026 for the community development sector. This will benefit both rural and urban communities – and will also provide vital support in areas such as community integration, the provision of community services, and the enhancement of community infrastructure.”