Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 April 2024
799. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the supports available to renovate a building (details supplied) to encourage more activities and events; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19384/24]
View answerUnder the range of capital investment schemes impIemented by my Department, I have prioritised in recent years the development and enhancement of community centres across the country to improve access and provide suitable social spaces. This has been achieved through various schemes administered by my Department, which may be of relevance to the project referenced by the Deputy. These schemes include the CLÁR programme, LEADER, the Town and Village Renewal scheme and the Local Enhancement Programme. It is also why I introduced the new Community Centres Investment Fund with targeted support for these centres. are a vital resource for any community.
Under the 2022 Community Centre Investment Fund in particular, over €45.8 million was committed for improvement and refurbishment works on over 860 existing community centres across Ireland. There was a huge uptake of this funding and communities are now enjoying the improvements to the fabric of their community centres as a result of this Government initiative.
Following on from this investment, I wanted to assist community groups who are striving to build their own community centre to service their local needs. That is why, in 2023, the focus of the Community Centres Investment Fund moved to new builds.
Last year I announced a new fund to support communities with shovel-ready projects on green or brownfield sites for the construction of new community centres. I was very pleased to recently announce approval of twelve new build community centres in nine counties with a total fund of €30 million. I will now give consideration to the need for further rounds of funding under the Community Centre Investment Fund in the context of available funding.
