Department of Rural, Community Development & the Gaeltacht

The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht supports the development of sustainable, inclusive and resilient communities throughout Ireland, including in rural, urban, island and Gaeltacht areas, embracing their unique cultural, linguistic and environmental features

The Department’s focus is on strengthening community resilience and social cohesion, supporting communities so that they are empowered to face current and future challenges. This is achieved through a range of policy initiatives, funding schemes and interventions intended to improve the economic and social development of rural and urban communities, including in Gaeltacht regions and on our off-shore islands.

As the government body with responsibility for the National Volunteering Strategy, the Department funds and supports the development of Ireland’s national volunteering infrastructure, which includes the national network of Volunteer Centres, the IVOL database, the Community Volunteers Program and a range of schemes and programmes focused on making volunteering more accessible, more visible and more rewarding.

DRCDG is delighted to support Clare Volunteer Centre and Clare County Council to deliver a programme of events during the county’s year as the European Capital of Volunteering 2027.