Increased National Development Plan funding for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht: media release
Ministers Calleary and Buttimer welcome increased National Development Plan funding for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht
- 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 Indreabhá
- 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
Media Release: Wednesday, 10th December 2025
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
ENDS
Contact: The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Press Office
01-773 6843 / 086 4618285 Press.office@drcdg.gov.ie
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Notes for Editor
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: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/publications/national-development-plan-review-2025/
The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht
The expanded Department is now known as the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.
The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD leads the Department and is supported by the Minister of State with Responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer TD.
Preasráiteas: Dé Céadaoin, an 10 Nollaig 2025
Cuireann an tAire Calleary agus an tAire Buttimer fáilte roimh mhéadú ar mhaoiniú i gcomhair an Phlean Forbartha Náisiúnta
don Fhorbairt Tuaithe agus Pobail agus don Ghaeltacht
- Maoiniú caipitil €1.3 bhilliún chun tacú le cláir forbartha tuaithe agus pobail agus Gaeltachta ó 2026 go 2030
- Seachadfar trí phríomhthionscadal bonneagair leis an maoiniú do phobail oileáin agus Ghaeltachta: Cé Inis Oírr, mol Gaeilge Shráid Fhearchair, agus Ionad Oideachais agus Óige Indreabháin
- Scéim nua stíl RAPID le bunú chun tacú le pobail faoi mhíbhuntáiste ar fud na tíre
- Méadaíodh maoiniú foriomlán ríthábhachtach chun tacaíochtaí leanúnacha a sholáthar do cheantair thuaithe, agus do phobail ar fud na tíre, lena n-áirítear ár bpobail oileáin agus Ghaeltachta
Inniu, (Déardaoin, an 11 Nollaig 2025) Déardaoin, an 11 Nollaig 2025, chuir an tAire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta, Dara Calleary TD, agus an tAire Stáit Jerry Buttimer TD, fáilte roimh fhoilsiú Phlean Infheistíochta Earnála na Roinne agus roimh thiomantas láidir leanúnach an Rialtais don fhorbairt tuaithe agus pobail.
Sa Phlean Forbartha Náisiúnta, cuirfear infheistíocht chaipitil €1.3 bhilliún ar fáil don Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta idir 2026 agus 2030.
Thar thréimhse 5 bliana go dtí 2030, seachadfar na nithe seo a leanas leis an maoiniú caipitil dá bhforáiltear sa PFN:
- Beidh méadú ar mhaoiniú caipitil ó €258 milliún in 2025 go €273 mhilliún i 2026. Beidh maoiniú caipitil ar fiú €255 mhilliún in aghaidh na bliana i 2029 agus 2030. Tacóidh an maoiniú seo le tionscadail agus scéimeanna caipitil ar fud chúram na Roinne.
- Infheistíocht fheabhsaithe i mbonneagar cé dár n-oileáin amach ón gcósta, go háirithe chun cé Inis Oírr i gContae na Gaillimhe a fhorbairt.
- Maoiniú chun mol teanga agus cultúir na Gaeilge a fhorbairt, agus infheistíocht in earnáil na Scoileanna Samhraidh Gaeilge, chun freastal ar an éileamh atá ag fás ar bhonneagar a bhaineann leis an nGaeilge. I measc na bpríomhthionscadal a chuirfear i gcrích, beidh Ionad Gaeilge nuálach ar Shráid Fhearchair i mBaile Átha Cliath, agus forbairt scoil samhraidh Ionad Oideachais agus Óige Indreabháin i nGaeltacht Chonamara.
- Maoiniú chun dul chun cinn a dhéanamh ar ghealltanas Chlár an Rialtais maidir le scéim RAPID a bhunú, a chuirfidh tacaíochtaí ar fáil do na pobail is mó faoi mhíbhuntáiste ar fud na tíre.
- Méaduithe spriocdhírithe ar mhaoiniú le haghaidh scéimeanna caipitil lárnacha na Roinne a sholáthraíonn áiseanna ríthábhachtacha do cheantair thuaithe agus do phobail ar fud na tíre.
Ag labhairt inniu, dúirt an tAire Calleary:
“Tá áthas orm a bheith i Loch Garman inniu chun a fheiceáil dom féin an tionchar dearfach ar phobail.atá á dhéanamh ag na hinfheistíochtaí atá déánta againn cheana.
“Cuirfidh an Plean Forbartha Náisiúnta an maoiniú riachtanach ar fáil chun cur leis na tacaí láidre a chuireann an Rialtas ar fáil cheana féin chun freastal ar ár bpobail. Tacóidh an maoiniú seo le pobail ar fud na tíre agus cuirfidh sé cumhacht bhreise leo, agus spreagfaidh sé forbairt ár gceantar Gaeltachta.
“Ligfidh an maoiniú a méadaíodh sa Phlean Forbartha Náisiúnta dúinn infheistíocht a dhéanamh i mbonneagar ríthábhachtach céanna dár bpobail oileáin, ag feabhsú áiseanna do dhaoine atá ina gcónaí ar ár n-oileáin agus do thurasóirí ar cuairt. Cuirfidh sé ar chumas freisin áiseanna feabhsaithe a sholáthar chun an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn agus a mhúineadh.
“Cinnteoidh seachadadh ghealltanais chlár an Rialtais, amhail athbhunú cláir de stíl RAPID atá dírithe ar ár bpobail is mó faoi mhíbhuntáiste, go mbainfidh ionaid uirbeacha i gceantair thuaithe na hÉireann leas as an leibhéal méadaithe maoinithe seo freisin, rud a dhéanfaidh difríocht dhearfach do dhaoine ar fud na tíre.”
Dúirt an tAire Stáit Buttimer, atá freagrach as Forbairt Pobail agus Carthanachtaí:
“Tá áthas ar leith orm an méadú a fheiceáil ar mhaoiniú caipitil d’fhorbairt phobail a fhoráiltear sa Phlean Forbartha Náisiúnta. Cinnteoidh an maoiniú seo tacaíocht leanúnach d’infheistíocht chaipitil i mbonneagar pobail, agus cuirfidh sé ar ár gcumas Clár Rialtais a chur i gcrích.”
“Ciallaíonn sé go bhforbróimid áiseanna agus spásanna pobail nua ar féidir le gach duine a úsáid. Tá sé tábhachtach freisin go dtacaímid le tionscnaimh bheaga a bhfuil tionchar mór acu. Bíonn tionchar ollmhór ag maoiniú chun rochtain a fheabhsú do dhaoine faoi mhíchumas, rannpháirtíocht a fheabhsú agus áiseanna atá ann cheana a uasghrádú ar an leibhéal áitiúil.”
Tá Plean Infheistíochta Earnála NDP DRCDG ar fáil ar shuíomh gréasáin na Roinne anseo
CRÍOCH
Teagmháil: Preasoifig na Roinne Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta
01-773 6843 / 086 4618285 Press.office@drcdg.gov.ie
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Nótaí don Eagarthóir
Leithdháiltí Caipitil an Phlean Forbartha Náisiúnta 2026-2030
Tar éis athbhreithniú 2025 ar an bPlean Forbartha Náisiúnta, comhaontaíodh na huasteorainneacha caipitil seo a leanas don Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta. Sa Phlean Forbartha Náisiúnta, cuirfear €1.3 bhilliún san iomlán ar fáil don Roinn thar an tréimhse idir 2026 agus 2030, agus leagtar leithdháiltí bliantúla amach sa tábla thíos. Méadóidh maoiniú caipitil ó €258 milliún in 2025 go €273 mhilliún in 2026. Beidh maoiniú caipitil do 2029 agus 2030 cothrom le €255 mhilliún in aghaidh na bliana.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 | |
| Leithdháileadh Iomlán PFN (€m) | 259 | 273 | 273 | 273 | 255 | 255 |
Cuireann an Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta a scéimeanna caipitil i gcrích faoi na réimsí cláir leathana seo a leanas: (i) forbairt tuaithe; (ii) forbairt pobail, agus (iii) an Ghaeltacht agus na hOileáin. Leagtar amach sa tábla thíos na leithdháiltí caipitil atá beartaithe ar fud na dtrí réimse cláir ar bhonn bliantúil idir 2026 agus 2030.
| Meastachán Caipitil (€m)/Bliain | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 |
| Forbairt Tuaithe & Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha | 165.00 | 160.00 | 170.00 | 176.00 | 171.00 | 171.00 |
| Forbairt Pobail | 38.00 | 46.80 | 49.80 | 50.30 | 50.80 | 50.80 |
| An Ghaeltacht agus na hOileáin | 30.05 | 55.40 | 52.40 | 45.90 | 32.40 | 32.40 |
| Uasteorainneacha Caipitil an RFTPG | 235.05 | 263.00 | 273.00 | 273.00 | 255.00 | 255.00 |
| Ciste Aitheantais Pobail Neamh-Lárnach | 25.00 | 10.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Caipitil Iomlán | 259.00 | 273.00 | 273.00 | 273.00 | 255.00 | 255.00 |
Tá Athbhreithniú ar an bPlean Forbartha Náisiúnta 2025 ar fáil ar Gov.ie ag an nasc seo a leanas: https://www.gov.ie/ga/an-roinn-caiteachais-phoibl%C3%AD-bonneagair-athch%C3%B3iri%C3%BAch%C3%A1in-seirbh%C3%ADse-poibl%C3%AD-agus-digiti%C3%BAch%C3%A1in/foilseachain/national-development-plan-review-2025/
Tá an Plean Infheistíochta Earnála ar fáil anseo.
An Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta
Tugtar an Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta ar an Roinn mhéadaithe anois.
Is é an tAire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta, Dara Calleary TD, atá i gceannas ar an Roinn agus tacaíonn an tAire Stáit atá Freagrach as Forbairt Pobail agus Carthanachtaí, Jerry Buttimer TD, leis.
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