Donegal Local Development CLG (DLDC) is calling on the Government to match its policy ambition with the level of investment needed to continue improving quality of life for people in Donegal who are unemployed or marginalised, while also creating opportunities within communities, strengthening them and building local capacity.
Yesterday, the Local Development Companies Network (LDCN) formally presented its 2027 Pre-Budget Submission to senior Ministers and elected representatives at Buswells Hotel, Dublin, highlighting the critical role of community-led development.
The submission sets out a series of targeted measures the network says are essential if national policies are to deliver real impact on the ground. Among the key recommendations are an additional €6.1 million for the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), €10.2 million to address funding gaps in LEADER, and €12 million to strengthen community employment supports, alongside embedding €10 million in annual integration supports into core funding structures.
DLDC says the need for investment is clear in Donegal, where its 17 programmes already stretch to meet growing demand. Over the past year, supports delivered by the organisation helped 422 people into employment, gave 2,421 people access to training, and provided capacity-building support to 71 community groups, while the Donegal Food Response Network was supported to deliver 100,672 food packages.
Padraic Fingleton, CEO DLDC said: “We see every day how vital programmes make a real difference in people’s lives, whether it’s supporting people into employment, strengthening community resilience or helping local enterprises grow. The national submission reflects the realities we are seeing at local level.”
He added: “There is a clear gap between policy ambition and the resources available to deliver it on the ground. Across Donegal, demand for supports continues to grow, and sustained investment is essential to ensure DLDC can respond effectively to local needs.”
The submission comes as Government moves to implement major national strategies, including the Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2026–2030 and the OECD Rural Policy Review, both of which rely heavily on local delivery models, particularly in rural counties like Donegal where access to services depends on community infrastructure.
Local Development Companies collectively support more than 150,000 people and 6,000 community groups annually, delivering approximately €230 million in supports each year across Ireland.
