A Budget package worth €472 million has been allocated for rural and community development projects, Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, and Minister of State, Joe O'Brien TD, has announced.

The funding provided to the Department will breathe new life into towns and villages and support the development of rural and urban communities throughout the country.

Demonstrating the Government's continued commitment to ‘Our Rural Future, the Department's Rural Development programme has over €212 million in funding available, which will be delivered through a range of vital schemes.

These include the Rural Regeneration and Development Scheme, the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme and LEADER.

Additional funding will be provided for the Local Improvement Scheme, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and CLÁR, bringing their funding levels to €15 million, €20 million, and €11 million respectively in 2025.

Funding increases for the Department's work in relation to islands are also included, with total funding increasing to €16 million, covering capital investment and the provision of transport services to our offshore islands.

€260 million is available for the Department's Community Development Programmes, including the work of the Charities Regulatory Authority. The two main schemes in this area, the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme, and the Community Services Programme, will have combined core funding of over €100 million for 2025. This funding will support the ongoing promotion of social inclusion measures and the provision of vital community services throughout the country.

The allocation for Community Development also provides funding of €22 million under the Community Centre Investment Fund– an increase of €1 million in 2025 – to support the upgrade, renovation and refurbishment of community centres across the country.

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The Department's funding includes an additional €3.4 million for dog control work, including €1.4 million to promote responsible dog ownership, and once off capital of €2 million in 2025 to improve dog control infrastructure.

Budget 2025 also provides €13 million to assist with the community response to the Ukraine crisis, for work to be completed under SICAP, the recently launched Community Connection Project and through volunteering supports. This will help to assist and integrate arrivals from Ukraine and other countries into local communities throughout the country. Separately, there is €25 million for projects approved under the Community Recognition Fund, which is a €100 million fund developed in recognition of the contribution being made by communities in welcoming and hosting significant numbers of arrivals from Ukraine and other countries.

Minister Humphreys said: "I'm very pleased to have secured funding of over €472 million for my Department of Rural and Community Development as part of Budget 2025.

"This funding will ensure communities across the country can benefit from a range of supports, including the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, LEADER, and the Community Centre Investment Fund, all of which are making a hugely positive difference in our towns and villages.

"The level of funding secured as part of the Budget really does demonstrate Government's ongoing commitment to building strong, vibrant and sustainable communities throughout Rural Ireland.

"In addition to over €234 million secured for community infrastructure the Budget will support work to provide opportunities in rural communities, by promoting remote working, helping to regenerate our towns and villages, supporting rural economies, and many other activities."

Minister Humphreys continued: "Having led this Department for the past four and a half years, I have seen first-hand the positive changes that we are seeing in rural communities.

"There are now more people living in Rural Ireland, more people working in Rural Ireland and there is more investment in Rural Ireland than ever before.

"I have no doubt these positive developments will continue through the delivering of the investment secured as part of Budget 2025."

Minister of State O'Brien added: "Budget 2025 further builds on my commitment to supporting social inclusion, community development, and the community and voluntary sector.

"Increased funding for the Community Services Programme in particular, bringing funding to €55.4 million, will help to assist social enterprises that provide valuable services in our communities.

"I am also pleased to announce I have secured an additional €1 million euro for a further expansion of the Empowering Communities Project which will see more community workers being deployed in some of the most disadvantaged communities across the country.

"There are also increases in funding for the vitally important SICAP Programme, Volunteer Centres and Public Participation Networks nationwide to assist them in continuing the immense work they do in supporting communities daily."