Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2020
944. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the support and advice available for non-county and city council operated community centres to determine when they can reopen according to the various facilities and services they provide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11257/20]
View answerThe government has published a Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business to ease the COVID-19 restrictions and reopen Ireland’s economy and society in a phased manner. There is no set date for the reopening of all community centres in Ireland. The timing of this will differ for each community centre, as it will be dependent on the services each centre provides and also the size of the facility to enable it to adhere to physical distancing requirements. The roadmap provides more detail and is available on the following link: https://www.gov.ie/roadmap
Community facilities are supported in a range of different ways across different Government Departments and agencies. Some of the supports my Department provides are outlined as follows.
Funding is provided to over 400 community organisations under the Community Services Programme (CSP) some of which are operating community centres.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme which has been developed to help our towns and villages to bounce back from the impact of COVID-19, includes an Accelerated Measure in response to COVID-19. More details are available on the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/01125e-town-and-village-renewal-scheme
The Community Enhancement Programme provides small capital grants for facilities in both rural and urban areas. The appropriate approach is being examined for programmes in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 Community Enhancement Programme is being considered in that context.
Funding is provided to rural community groups through the LEADER Programme. Details can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/216837-the-rural-development-and-regional-affairs-division/
While recognising that the social recovery of Ireland post COVID-19 will require a whole of Government approach, my Department will continue to work with relevant stakeholders, including Local Authorities and Local Development Companies, to determine how best this can be achieved and will continue to work to support community organisatons across the country.
