Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022
1947. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if funding can be made available to a rural sports club outside of the Sports Capital Grant process in cases in which the club intends to extend its clubhouse (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19679/22]
View answer1949. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the recently announced Community Centre Investment Fund can be applied for in the case of a new extension to an existing sports club’s clubhouse in cases in which the purpose of this extension is to provide a community centre, function room and kitchen in a rural area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19694/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1947 and 1949 together.
I launched the Community Centres Investment Fund on the 15th April 2022. This is a new capital fund with a budget of €15m to support community groups with the upgrade and refurbishment of existing Community Centres. This is an investment in both rural and urban communities across the country.
The Community Centres Investment Fund will support community groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with the upgrade and development of their community centre facilities.
The fund will assist with projects such as:
- works to improve communal facilities such as kitchen and toilet facilities
- energy retrofitting, new windows / doors / heating systems
- upgrades to lighting systems and stage areas
- works to address safety concerns, including as a result of fire safety audits
- works to improve disability access
- improvements to assist in providing additional or better services to the community such as meals for the elderly and youth facilities
- works to develop Community Centres as Social Hubs through the development of Community Cinemas, Youth Hubs and Community Libraries
- essential maintenance works, repairs to roof, and so on
Funding will be available under 3 Categories, with grants of between €10k and €300K available:
- Category 1: Small scale projects/improvements to facilities €10,000 - €25,000.
- Category 2: Larger scale projects - €25,001 to €100,000.
- Category 3: Major projects. €100,001 to €300,000.
I would advise the group mentioned by the Deputy to review the fund guidelines prior to application. All applications will be part of a competitive assessment process based on the assessment criteria as set out in the fund guidelines. It is expected that this fund will be over subscribed and it will not be possible to fund all proposals with the budget available.
Guidelines and a sample application form are available on my Department’s website at www.gov.ie/en/service/fec91-community-centres-investment-fund/
