82. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will allocate funding to the community recognition fund for 2025. [14504/25]

Sentiment score: 0.00

I am asking for an extension of the community recognition fund in 2025. The community recognition fund was a major initiative designed to facilitate and support communities across the country that are hosting people from Ukraine and other countries around the world. The community recognition fund has been key to enhancing the social fabric of our communities, fostering inclusion and improving the quality of life for residents across Ireland. The initiatives supported by the community recognition fund have improved infrastructure, strengthened community networks, encouraged active lifestyles and supported local organisations.

Sentiment score: 0.44

That is good news. I take it that the Minister is going to have the fund available in 2025. The aim is to complete and maintain community development initiatives and plan for future needs. The enhanced social cohesion measure was great for the community. The promotion of the health and well-being element was too. Numerous people and clubs have benefited from walking tracks. There has been a major benefit to the community. The empowerment of the local organisations that got involved was great for everybody. In my native County Laois, the community recognition fund had a positive impact through several key projects in Portlaoise, Ballylinan and Rathdowney. The Minister will know of all the people who benefited in his county, Mayo. The successful projects in Laois are key examples of the benefits of the community recognition fund. Extending the fund to 2025 would ensure even more communities can benefit from financial support, leading to a stronger and more inclusive society. I thank the Minister for considering this vital extension to the fund, which has already proven it can enhance the well-being of communities across Ireland.

Sentiment score: 0.38

All the work in County Laois is near completion and the next round is awaited anxiously. At least seven or eight groups would be disappointed if they thought they would not be included, and that is why I am asking for such an important fund to be extended into 2025. I support everything said about the local improvement schemes. They are most important to rural counties, and my county is a rural one, as the Minister knows. The Minister and Minister of State should both remember that the people who can benefit from local improvement schemes are those who are paying their household charges. They are entitled, at least, to have the roads done.

Sentiment score: 0.21