€611 million Budget boost for Mayo Minister’s department
Minister Dara Calleary has announced a major €611 million funding package for 2026, securing continued investment in rural and community development, the Gaeltacht, and Ireland’s offshore islands.
The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, along with Minister of State Jerry Buttimer, confirmed that the Budget 2026 allocation will back a wide range of capital and current programmes supporting social and economic growth across the country.
Under the plans, €192 million has been earmarked for rural development schemes, including increased funding for the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS), CLÁR, Outdoor Recreation, and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
These initiatives form the backbone of Our Rural Future, the government’s strategy for rural Ireland.
A further €260 million will go towards community development programmes, including €74 million for SICAP and other social inclusion supports.
€13 million per year has been set aside to continue integration projects for new arrivals.
The Community Services Programme will rise by €4 million to €59.4 million, while the Community Centre Investment Fund will increase by €3 million to €20 million, supporting local resilience and storm-proofing measures. A new RAPID-style scheme is also set to launch in 2026.
Meanwhile, Gaeltacht, Irish Language, and Islands funding will climb by over €36 million to €159 million, supporting a range of cultural and infrastructural projects.
Among the key investments are upgrades to Inis Oírr pier, the development of a new Irish Language and Cultural Centre on Harcourt Street, and the creation of an Educational and Youth Facility in Indreabhán, Co. Galway.
Minister Calleary said the record allocation reflected the Government’s ongoing commitment to balanced regional growth:
“I’m pleased to have secured funding of €611 million for my Department as part of Budget 2026.
This builds on strong investment in recent years and demonstrates the Government’s continued support for rural and community development, the Gaeltacht, and the Islands.
This funding will benefit communities up and down the country.”
He added that the investment would also help deliver a new successor to Our Rural Future, set to be launched next year.
Minister Calleary said he was particularly proud of the significant increase in Gaeltacht and Islands funding:
“The 29% increase in funding will allow additional support for existing schemes and facilitate new initiatives.
It will also enable the delivery of three key infrastructure projects, Inis Oírr pier, the Irish Language and Cultural Centre in Harcourt Street, and the redevelopment of the Coláiste Lurgan site in Indreabhán.
These are transformative projects that will benefit both Gaeltacht communities and the Irish language for years to come.”