Broad welcome for increased funding for Mayo groups under the Community Services Programme

Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (DRCDG), Dara Calleary, TD, has today announced increased funding for over 400 organisations nationwide currently supported under the Community Services Programme (CSP).

The addition of Charlestown Bellaghy & Districts Recreational Centre CLG into the CSP programme will bring the total number of CSP funded organisations in Co Mayo to 37. The announcement has also being welcomed by Mayo Minister of State, Alan Dillon, TD.

The revised funding rates to be applied from January 1, 2026 will see:

• an increase of €1,260 in the annual contribution per post to organisations categorised as having a high funding need; and

• an increase of €1,160 in the annual contribution per post for CSP organisations categorised as having a medium funding need; and,

• an increase of €400 per annum to all 351 CSP-supported manager positions across all funding categories.

• Nine new organisations to join the programme in 2026

• Over 50 organisations set to benefit from a higher funding category

• Eleven organisations’ contracts extended to end 2027

• Plans to open the CSP Programme to new applications early next year

Fifty-five CSP-supported organisations are set to move to a higher funding category. This is a targeted measure to focus additional support on organisations with evident financial need.

A further nine organisations, including Charlestown Bellaghy & Districts Recreational Centre CLG, are now set to join the CSP programme commencing early 2026. This will support employment for eleven full-time posts and six managers and will bring the total number of organisations supported to 435 in 2026.

In addition, eleven organisations with an original contract end date of December 31, 2025 have had their contracts extended for a further two years.

Minister Calleary also announced that there will be an open call for new organisations to join the CSP Programme in early 2026.

Welcoming the increased funding, Minister Calleary said: “My Department’s Community Services Programme plays a vital role in ensuring essential services reach communities nationwide. It addresses local needs and delivers effective, targeted, responses to support people where it matters most. I am very pleased to announce that we are now in a position to strengthen this support with additional funding for 2026. This is the fourth increase in funding rates that has been approved since the introduction in 2023 of a new funding model for the Programme.”

The CSP Programme supports the delivery of over 440 services nationally via 426 community organisations to provide local social, economic, and environmental services through a social enterprise model. The Programme focuses on urban and rural communities where public and private sector services are lacking, either through geographical or social isolation or because of demand deficits. The CSP Programme provides an annual co-funding contribution towards the cost of each full-time equivalent (FTE) position being supported, and, where warranted, towards the cost of employing a manager."

As part of the Budget 2026 package announced in October, the CSP Programme was allocated an additional €4m, bringing its total funding allocation for 2026 to €59.4 million.

Minister of State, Alan Dillon TD, highlighted the significant impact the funding will have on over 30-Mayo based organisations. These include:

• Community Radio Castlebar FM CLG

• Ballina Community Sports Centre CLG

• Castlebar Social Services CLG

• Claremorris Social & Family Centre CLG

• Foxford Sports & Leisure Centre CLG

• Killala Community Council CLG

• Crossmolina Community Council CLG

• Ballintubber Abbey Trust DAC

• Moy Valley Community Services CLG

• Achill-based organisations including Comhlacht Forbartha Áitiúil Acla CLG and Turasóireacht Acla CLG

• Cong Community Centre CLG

• Knockmore/Rathduff Economic and Social Development Company CLG

• Dolmen Clubhouse CLG and Dolmen Rainbows CLG (Ballina)

• Clár Regional Centre CLG and Clar ICH CLG (Claremorris)

• Balla Community Resources Development CLG

• Inishturk Community Club CLG

• Mayo Celtic Holidays Ltd (Kiltimagh)

• Foxford Alzheimer & Community Trust CLG

• Ballina Heritage & Costume CLG

• Moy Innovations CLG (Ballina)

• Custom House Studios Westport

• North Mayo Family Heritage Centre Ballina

• An Sportlann Ballinrobe

“This funding is a major boost for Mayo. From Ballina to Achill, Castlebar to Claremorris, CSP-supported organisations are at the heart of our communities. They provide services that simply would not exist without this support, whether it’s caring for older people, running community centres, supporting families, or preserving our heritage.

“The increased funding will help these organisations meet rising costs and continue to deliver for the people of Mayo. I want to acknowledge the dedication of staff, volunteers, and boards who keep these services running and ensure that Mayo communities remain strong, inclusive, and resilient,” added Minister Dillon.

READ MORE: Three Mayo schools selected for Safe Routes to School funding