€7 million for Local Enhancement Programme 2026
- €7 million fund to assist thousands of community groups across the country
- Local Enhancement Programme to focus on disadvantaged areas
- Supporting community groups a key focus of ‘Our Rural Future’
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, and Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer TD have announced €7 million in funding under the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht’s Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) 2026.
This funding will provide capital supports that are essential for many small community groups and organisations, particularly those who serve disadvantaged communities in rural and urban areas.
There will be a particular focus on small capital works/improvements, and the purchase of equipment for community use. The funding may be used for, but is not limited to; improving access for persons with a disability; enhancing community participation for disadvantaged and marginalised groups, and improving energy efficiency of community facilities to reduce ongoing costs.
The scheme is designed to ensure local priorities are identified and met, to improve and enhance community facilities for all. Funding will be available to a diverse range of community groups including, but not limited to, community centres, parish halls and local voluntary groups.
Our Rural Future
Our Rural Future is the whole-of-government policy for rural Ireland for the period 2021-2025. It represents a new milestone in the approach to rural development policy for Ireland and adopts a more strategic, ambitious and holistic approach to investing in and maximising opportunities for rural areas.
The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, launched a public consultation in March 2025 to further inform the development of the next iteration of Ireland’s Rural Development Policy, ‘Our Rural Future’.
An extensive process of consultation has already been completed which gathered the views of stakeholders and communities across the country on what matters most for rural Ireland and its people.
The consultation commenced in March with an online survey and it was followed by a series of eight stakeholder and public events across the country and online. Bilateral meetings with key stakeholders, representative groups, Government Departments and public bodies have also taken place.
The Our Rural Future 2026-2031 Consultation Paper is available to view online at https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development-and-the-gaeltacht/consultations/public-consultation-our-rural-future/ and submissions related to same can be emailed to rural.consultation@drcdg.gov.ie with ‘Our Rural Future Consultation’ in the title.
LEP 2026 Funding allocation for each Local Authority area
- Carlow €156,072.58
- Cavan €164,165.44
- Clare €181,061.31
- Cork City €284,886.64
- Cork County €277,633.01
- Donegal €303,465.26
- Dublin City €656,750.42
- Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown €203,922.40
- Fingal €268,827.22
- Galway City €141,688.31
- Galway County €213,600.85
- Kerry €211,006.90
- Kildare €244,335.64
- Kilkenny €170,519.37
- Laois €173,943.19
- Leitrim €119,043.40
- Limerick €278,643.81
- Longford €152,826.93
- Louth €239,207.33
- Mayo €217,741.96
- Meath €222,535.73
- Monaghan €148,262.64
- Offaly €186,553.43
- Roscommon €153,829.73
- Sligo €144,392.98
- South Dublin €400,204.48
- Tipperary €240,984.39
- Waterford €219,286.41
- Westmeath €172,338.03
- Wexford €253,226.56
- Wicklow €199,043.66
- Total €7,000,000.00