Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 March 2022
241. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the timelines for any potential funding stream in 2022 for community centres and community facilities; and if she will report on the potential to create a specific LGBT+ community resource centre fund in recognition of the need for infrastructure investment for the LGBT+ community nationwide and to build on the positive impact of the LGBT+ project funding in 2021. [15504/22]
View answerEarlier this month, I announced the introduction of a new Community Centres Investment Fund (CCIF).
This new capital Fund will provide funding of €15 million for the upgrade and refurbishment of existing community centres across the country for use by everyone in our communities. Under the Fund groups and organisations based in both rural and urban communities can apply for grants ranging from €10,000 to €300,000.
Guidelines and application forms will be available to view shortly at www.gov.ie.
Separately, since 2019, my Department has provided funding through the Dormant Accounts Fund to support LGBT+ community organisations across the country. The 2022 Dormant Accounts Action Plan was announced last November and included €200,000 for supporting LGBT+ community organisations. The main purpose of this funding is to help the organisations make the existing community infrastructures inclusive and welcoming to the LGBT+ community and to provide pop-up LGBT+ services in areas not currently serviced. This is in line with my Department's commitment to implement actions in the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2021.
Following an application process, funding was allocated to the Local Authorities who engage with the LGBT+ organisations at local level and ensure that these actions are implemented.
