Ministers Calleary and Buttimer welcome increased National Development Plan funding for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht
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From: Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht
- Published on: 10 December 2025
- Last updated on: 10 December 2025
- Capital funding of €1.3 billion to support rural and community development and Gaeltacht programmes from 2026 to 2030
- Will enable delivery of three key infrastructure projects for island and Gaeltacht communities: Inis Oírr Pier, Harcourt Street Irish language hub, and Ionad Oideachais agus Óige Indreabháin
- New RAPID style scheme to be established to support disadvantaged communities throughout the country
- Increased overall funding vital in delivering continued supports to rural areas, and communities across the country, including our island and Gaeltacht communities
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, and Minister of State Jerry Buttimer TD, have today (Thursday, 11th December 2025) welcomed the publication of their Department’s National Development Plan (NDP) Sectoral Investment Plan, and the continued Government commitment to rural and community development.
The NDP will provide the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht with capital investment of €1.3 billion over the period 2026-2030.
Over the 5-year period to 2030, it is expected that the capital funding provided for in the NDP will allow for:
- Capital funding will grow from €258 million in 2025 to €273 million in 2026. Capital funding for 2029 and 2030 will amount to €255 million per year. This funding will support capital projects and schemes across the Department’s remit.
- Enhanced investment in pier infrastructure for our offshore islands, in particular for the development of Inis Oírr pier in County Galway.
- Funding for the development of Irish language and cultural hubs, and investment in the Irish Summer School sector, to meet increasing demand for Irish language related infrastructure.
- Key projects for delivery will be an innovative Irish Language Centre at Harcourt Street in Dublin, and the development of Ionad Oideachais agus Óige Indreabhán summer school in the Connamara Gaeltact.
- Funding to progress the Programme for Government commitment for the establishment of a RAPID scheme, which will provide supports for the most disadvantaged communities across the country.
- Targeted increases in funding for the Department’s key capital schemes which are providing vital facilities to rural areas and communities.
Minister Calleary who was visiting Wexford to officially to open completed rural development projects, said:
“I am delighted to be in Wexford today to see first-hand how the investments we have already made are making a positive difference to communities.
“The National Development Plan will provide the necessary funding to build on the strong supports already provided by Government to deliver for our communities. This funding will further support and empower communities across the country and drive the development of our Gaeltacht areas.
“The increased funding in the NDP will allow us to invest in vital piers infrastructure for our island communities, enhancing facilities for people living on our islands and for visiting tourists. It will also enable the provision of enhanced facilities for the promotion and teaching of the Irish language.
“Delivery on Programme for Government commitments, such as the reintroduction of a RAPID-style programme targeting our most disadvantaged communities, will ensure that urban centres will also benefit from this increased level of funding, making a positive difference to people right across the country.”
Minister of State Buttimer, who has responsibility for Community Development and Charities, added:
“I am particularly pleased to see the capital funding increase for community development provided for in the NDP. This funding will ensure continued support for capital investment in community infrastructure and enable us to deliver on a Programme for Government.
“It will mean we will develop new community facilities and spaces that can be used by all. It is also important that we support small scale initiatives that have a big impact. Funding to improve access for people with disabilities, enhancing participation and the upgrade of existing facilities have a huge impact at local level.”
The NDP sectoral plan is available here
Notes
National Development Plan 2026-2030 Capital Allocations
Following the 2025 review of the National Development Plan the following capital ceilings have been agreed for the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (DRCDG). The National Development Plan will provide a total of €1.3 billion for the Department over the period 2026 to 2030, with annual allocations outlined in the table below. Capital funding will grow from €258 million in 2025 to €273 million in 2026. Capital funding for 2029 and 2030 will amount to €255 million per year.
|
2025 |
2026 |
2027 |
2028 |
2029 |
2030 |
|
|
Total NDP Allocation (€m) |
259 |
273 |
273 |
273 |
255 |
255 |
The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht delivers its capital schemes under the broad programme areas of (i) rural development; (ii) community development, and (iii) the Gaeltacht and the Islands. The table below outlines the proposed capital allocations across the three programme areas on an annual basis from 2026-2030.
|
Capital Projection (€m)/Year |
2025 |
2026 |
2027 |
2028 |
2029 |
2030 |
|
Rural Development & Regional Affairs |
165.00 |
160.00 |
170.00 |
176.00 |
171.00 |
171.00 |
|
Community Development |
38.00 |
46.80 |
49.80 |
50.30 |
50.80 |
50.80 |
|
Gaeltacht and the Islands |
30.05 |
55.40 |
52.40 |
45.90 |
32.40 |
32.40 |
|
DRCDG Capital Ceilings |
235.05 |
263.00 |
273.00 |
273.00 |
255.00 |
255.00 |
|
Non-core Community Recognition Fund |
25.00 |
10.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
Total Capital |
259.00 |
273.00 |
273.00 |
273.00 |
255.00 |
255.00 |
The National Development Plan Review 2025 is available on Gov.ie at the following link: