€7 Million Community Funding Programme Announced with Over €500,000 for Cork

Ministers Dara Calleary TD and Jerry Buttimer TD have announced €7 million in funding under the Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) 2026, with Cork City and Cork County set to receive a combined total of over €500,000 to support local community groups.

The announcement was made today (Friday, 5 December) during a visit to Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork, highlighting the programme's significant impact on communities across the country.

Cork City has been allocated €284,886.64, while Cork County will receive €277,633.01. The funding is designed to provide essential capital supports for small community groups and organisations, particularly those serving disadvantaged communities in both rural and urban areas.

The programme will focus on small capital works and improvements, including the purchase of equipment for community use. Eligible projects include improving accessibility for persons with disabilities, enhancing community participation for disadvantaged and marginalised groups, and improving energy efficiency of community facilities to reduce ongoing costs.

Funding will be available to a diverse range of community groups including community centres, parish halls, and local voluntary groups across all 31 local authority areas nationwide.

Minister Calleary said:

"Today, together with Minister Buttimer, I am delighted to announce a new round of funding of €7 million for the Local Enhancement Programme. This funding will support thousands of small but vital community groups across the country.

The LEP funding I am announcing today will benefit people in every single county across the country and will ensure that a wide range of important small scale, ground-up projects can be delivered to the areas that need them most, by committed people serving their local communities."

Making the announcement at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Minister Buttimer said:

"I am delighted to announce the latest iteration of the Local Enhancement Programme funding which will help our community groups to realise the ambitions they have to improve and enhance their facilities and equipment for the benefit of their communities.

We can see by the fantastic work that has been completed here in Cork City that the LEP funding provided by my Department can deliver real tangible support to groups where they need it most."

The programme is part of the Government's rural development policy, 'Our Rural Future', with a public consultation currently open until 12 December 2025 to inform the development of the next iteration of this policy.

The Department has recommended that Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) ring-fence 30% of the funding to provide small capital grants of €1,000 or less, allowing a larger volume of groups with limited resources to receive support.

Applications for funding can be made to the relevant LCDC in each local authority area.