Preasráiteas: Tionscnamh nua fógartha ag na hAirí Calleary, Buttimer agus Canney chun tacú le limistéir uirbeacha atá faoi mhíbhuntáiste géar
Wednesday, 8 July 2026
Ministers Calleary, Buttimer and Canney announce new initiative to support urban areas with high concentration of disadvantage
- 15 areas to receive funding of €5 million in 2026
- Capital funding of €31.5 million secured up to 2030
- Focus on improving public spaces, supporting health and wellbeing and access to training
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer TD, and Minister of State in the Department of Transport, Seán Canney TD, have today (Wednesday, 8 July 2026) announced a new programme that will provide funding for initiatives in urban areas with the highest concentration of disadvantage.
The new programme – SÍOL, ‘Seed’ in English, stands for Scéim Infheistíochta ag Obair Le Chéile, and this translates to the ‘Working Together Investment Scheme’.
The SÍOL programme is designed to deliver projects that improve public spaces, support health and wellbeing and community safety. It will also provide access to education and training for people living in some of the most disadvantaged urban areas of the country.
Funding of €31.5 million has been secured up to 2030 in the National Development Plan to maintain the long-term delivery of the scheme. €5 million was announced today to support 15 areas in 2026, including nine located in cities.
Announcing the new programme today, Minister Calleary said:
“I am delighted to announce the new SÍOL programme today which will provide a solid foundation for ongoing targeted investment in urban areas where there is the most extreme disadvantage.
“Since I was appointed as Minister in this Department, it has been one of my key priorities to implement a programme that tackles urban disadvantage. Working on the previous RAPID model, SÍOL, will make real differences in communities that need it most.
“The name SÍOL means ‘Seed’ and, much like a seed, it is my hope that the SÍOL programme will grow in the coming years to help more and more communities across the country.”
Minister Buttimer said:
“In my 22 years as a public representative, I have seen first-hand how initiatives like this can have a profound, positive effect on communities that need it most. Interventions like this are a catalyst for momentum in building community.
“This programme is designed to provide investment into the communities that need it most. The local knowledge and expertise that will help deliver the programme will ensure that the funding is targeted to develop the community facilities and amenities that will have the most impact at a local level.
“A seed doesn’t become a thriving plant overnight. It grows with care, commitment and patience. The funding that has been secured in the National Development Plan to support this new programme shows this Government’s commitment to growing the programme in a sustainable manner over time”
The new programme has been designed based on statistical information available through both the Central Statistics Office, and Pobal’s deprivation index. An analysis of ‘Urban and Rural Life in Ireland’ conducted by the ESRI was also taken into consideration. All of this analysis was done to ensure that the funding is targeted at the most disadvantaged areas within the designated towns and cities.
Minister Canney said:
“It gives me great pleasure to join my colleagues across Government to launch the SÍOL programme today. The name of this new programme translates to the “Working Together Investment Scheme” and I think it epitomises how we operate as a Government; All parties working together to achieve a shared outcome.
“Having previously served as Minister of State in the Department of Rural and Community Development, I know first-hand the importance of investing in developing our urban communities.
“This new programme will deliver much needed investment into the areas that need it most, and I look forward to seeing the impact that it will have over the coming years.”
The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht will issue a Call for Proposals to Local Authorities with responsibility for areas that are eligible for funding under the SÍOL programme.
Local Authorities will be invited to submit projects to the Department for approval, and it is expected that the successful projects will be announced in late 2026.
A full list of the SÍOL areas is shown below:
| SÍOL Area | Local Authority | Electoral Divisions |
| Athy | Kildare County Council | Athy West Urban and Athy East Urban |
| Ballinasloe | Galway County Council | Ballinasloe Urban, Ballinasloe Rural, Killure, and Aughrim |
| Ballina | Mayo County Council | Ballina Urban, Ballina Rural, Ardnaree South Rural, Ardnaree North, and Ardnaree South Urban |
| Ballymun | Dublin City County Council | Ballymun B and Ballymun D |
| Cavan Town | Cavan County Council | Cavan Urban, Cavan Rural, Ballyhaise, Clonervy, Moynehall |
| Clondalkin | South Dublin County Council | Clondalkin – Moorfield, Clondalkin – Cappaghmore, and Clondalkin Rowlagh |
| Cork City North East | Cork City County Council | Mayfield, The Glen A, and Blackpool B |
| Cork City North West | Cork City County Council | Knocknaheeny, Churchfield, and Gurranebraher E |
| Drogheda | Louth County Council | Fair Gate and West Gate |
| Galway City | Galway City County Council | Wellpark, Mervue, Ballybaan |
| North Limerick City | Limerick City & County Council | John’s A, John’s B, Killeely A, Ballynanty, and Limerick North Rural |
| South West Inner City | Dublin City County Council | Merchants Quay A, Ushers C, and Wood Quay A |
| Tallaght | South Dublin County Council | Tallaght – Jobstown, Tallaght – Kiltipper, and Tallaght – Killinardan |
| Tipperary Town | Tipperary County Council | Tipperary East Urban, Tipperary West Urban, Tipperary Rural |
| Waterford City | Waterford City & County Council | Ballybeg North, Larchville, and Lisduggan |
Preasráiteas
Dé Céadaoin, 8 Iúil 2026
Tionscnamh nua fógartha ag na hAirí Calleary, Buttimer agus Canney chun tacú le limistéir uirbeacha atá faoi mhíbhuntáiste géar
- 15 limistéar chun maoiniú de €5m a fháil in 2026
- Maoiniú caipitil €31.5 milliún faighte chomh fada le 2030
- Béim ar spásanna poiblí a fheabhsú, tacaíocht do shláinte agus folláine agus rochtain ar oiliúint
Innu (Dé Céadaoin, 8 Iúil 2026) d’fhógair an tAire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta, Dara Calleary TD, an tAire Stáit le freagracht as Forbairt Pobail agus Carthanachtaí, Jerry Buttimer TD agus an tAire Stáit sa Roinn Iompair, Seán Canney TD go seolfar clár nua lena maoineofar tionscnaimh sna limistéir uirbeacha is mó atá faoi mhíbhuntáiste.
Seasann an clár nua – SÍOL, nó ‘Seed’ i mBéarla – do Scéim Infheistíochta ag Obair Le Chéile, arb é an t-aistriúchán Béarla atá ar sin ná ‘the Working Together Investment Scheme’.
Dearadh clár SÍOL chun tionscadail a thabhairt i gcrích lena bhfeabhsófar spásanna poiblí agus lena dtacaítear le sláinte, folláine agus sábháilteacht phobail. Tabharfaidh sé rochtain ar oideachas agus oiliúint dóibh siúd a bhfuil cónaí orthu i gcuid de na limistéir uirbeacha is mó atá faoi mhíbhuntáiste sa tír.
Fuarthas maoiniú €31.5 milliún chomh fada le 2030 sa Phlean Forbartha Náisiúnta chun go leanfar le seachadadh fadtéarmach an chláir. Fógraíodh €5 milliún inniu chun tacú le 15 limistéar in 2026, a bhfuil 9 limistéar acu suite i gcathracha.
Agus an clár nua á fhógairt aige inniu, dúirt an tAire Calleary:
“Is cúis áthais dom clár nua SÍOL a fhógairt inniu, a bheidh mar bhonn daingean leis an infheistíocht spriocdhírithe leanúnach sna limistéir uirbeacha atá faoin mhíbhuntáiste is géire.
“Ó ceapadh mé mar Aire na Roinne seo, ceann de mo phríomhthosaíochtaí is ea clár a chur i bhfeidhm chun dul i ngleic le míbhuntáiste uirbeach. Agus é ag feidhmiú de réir mhúnla RAPID a bhí ann roimhe seo, is mór an difear a dhéanfaidh SÍOL sna pobail ina bhfuil an gá is mó leis.
“Tá dóchas agam go mbeidh SÍOL mar shíol sa chiall is go dtiocfaidh fás air sna blianta amach romhainn chun cabhrú le níos mó agus níos mó pobal ar fud na tíre.”
Dúirt an tAire Buttimer:
“Tá feicthe agam, mar ionadaí poiblí le 22 bliana anuas, conas ar féidir le tionscadail mar seo fíorthionchar dearfach a imirt ar na pobail siúd is mó a bhfuil siad de dhíth orthu. Bíonn idirghabhálacha mar seo ina spreagadh chun pobail a thógáil.
“Dearadh an clár seo chun infheistíocht a chur ar fáil sna pobail ina bhfuil an gá is mó léi. Cinnteofar leis an eolas agus saineolas áitiúil lena dtabharfar an clár i gcrích, cinnteofar leo go ndíreofar an maoiniú chun forbairt a dhéanamh ar na háiseanna pobail a mbeidh an tionchar is mó acu ar an leibhéal áitiúil.
“Ní fhásann síol ina phlanda bríomhar thar oíche. Is le cúram, dúthracht agus foighne a fhásann sé. Leis an maoiniú a fuarthas sa Phlean Forbartha Náisiúnta chun tacú leis an gclár nua seo, léirítear rún daingean an Rialtais chun borradh a chur faoin chlár ar bhealach inbhuanaithe in imeacht ama.”
Bhí faisnéis staidrimh, a fuarthas tríd an Phríomhoifig Staidrimh (POS) agus Innéacs Díothachta Pobal, mar bhonn le dearadh an chláir nua. Tugadh san áireamh anailís ar ‘Shaol Uirbeach agus Tuaithe in Éirinn’, arna déanamh ag an Institiúid Taighde Eacnamaíochta agus Sóisialta (ITES), freisin. Rinneadh an anailís seo ar fad chun cinntiú go ndírítear an maoiniú ar na limistéir is mó atá faoi mhíbhuntáiste laistigh de na bailte agus cathracha ainmnithe.
Dúirt an tAire Canney:
“Is mór an pléisiúr dom é clár SÍOL a sheoladh inniu in éineacht le mo chomhghleacaithe Rialtais. Is é ainm Béarla an chláir seo ná “the Working Together Investment Scheme”, agus sílim gur eiseamláir é den bhealach a fheidhmíonn muid mar Rialtas; na páirtithe ar fad ag obair i gcomhar lena chéile chun toradh comhroinnte a bhaint amach.
“Toisc gur oibrigh mé mar Aire Stáit sa Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail roimhe, tá a’ fhios agam go maith a thábhachtach atá sé infheistíocht a dhéanamh inár bpobail uirbeacha.
“Leis an gclár nua seo tabharfar infheistíocht riachtanach isteach sna limistéir ina bhfuil an gá is mó léi, agus táim ag súil lena tionchar a fheiceáil sna blianta amach romhainn.”
Eiseoidh an Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta Gairm ar Thograí leis na hÚdaráis Áitiúla siúd a bhfuil freagracht acu as limistéir atá incháilithe i gcomhair maoinithe faoi chlár SÍÓL.
Tabharfar cuireadh d’Údaráis Áitiúla tionscadail a chur faoi bhráid na Roinne, agus tá súil go ndéanfar fógra faoi na tionscadail a éiríonn leo ag deireadh 2026.
Tá liosta iomlán de limistéir SÍOL le feiceáil thíos:
| Limistéar SÍOL | Údarás Áitiúil | Toghranna |
| Baile Átha Í | Comhairle Contae Chill Dara | Baile Átha Í Thiar (Uirbeach) agus Baile Átha Í Thoir (Uirbeach) |
| Béal Átha na Sluaighe | Comhairle Contae na Gaillimhe | Béal Átha na Sluaighe (Uirbeach), Béal Átha na Sluaighe (Tuath), Cill Iúir, agus Eachroim |
| Béal an Átha | Comhairle Contae Mhaigh Eo | Béal an Átha (Uirbeach), Béal an Átha (Tuath), Ard na Ria Theas (Tuath), Ard na Ria Thuaidh, agus Ard na Ria Thuas (Uirbeach) |
| Baile Munna | Comhairle Cathrach Bhaile Átha Cliath | Baile Munna B agus Baile Munna D |
| Baile an Chabháin | Comhairle Contae an Chabháin | An Cabhán (Uirbeach), an Cabhán (Tuath), Béal Átha hÉis, Cluain Oirbhe, Eochaill |
| Cluain Dolcáin | Comhairle Contae Bhaile Átha Cliath Theas | Cluain Dolcáin-Gort an Mhúraigh, Cluain Dolcáin-An Cheapach Mhór, Cluain Dolcáin-Rualach |
| Oirthuaisceart Chathair Chorcaí | Comhairle Cathrach Chorcaí | Baile na mBocht, an Gleann A, agus an Linn Dubh B |
| Iarthuaisceart Chathair Chorcaí | Comhairle Cathrach Chorcaí | Cnoc na hAoine, Páirc na hEaglaise, Garrán na mBráthar E |
| Droichead Átha | Comhairle Contae Lú | Geata Shráid an Aonaigh agus Geata Shráid na gCapall |
| Cathair na Gaillimhe | Comhairle Cathrach na Gaillimhe | Páirc an Tobair, Mervue, an Baile Bán |
| Tuaisceart Chathair Luimnigh | Comhairle Cathrach & Contae Luimnigh | Toghroinn Eoin A, Toghroinn Eoin B, Cill Liaile A, Baile Uí Neachtain, agus Luimneach Thuaidh (Tuath) |
| Iardheisceart Lár na Cathrach | Comhairle Cathrach Bhaile Átha Cliath | Cé na gCeannaithe A, Cé Uiséir C, agus Cé an Adhmaid A |
| Tamhlacht | Comhairle Contae Bhaile Átha Cliath Theas | Tamhlacht-Ráth Miontáin, Tamhlacht-Coill Tobair, agus Tamhlacht-Cill an Ardáin |
| Baile Thiobraid Árann | Comhairle Contae Thiobraid Árann | Tiobraid Árann Thoir (Uirbeach), Tiobraid Árann Thiar (Uirbeach), Tiobraid Árann (Tuath) |
| Cathair Phort Láirge | Comhairle Cathrach & Contae Phort Láirge | An Baile Beag Thuaidh, Larchville, agus Lios Dúgáin |