Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 January 2023
1892. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the next round of Pobal community centres investment fund grants will be open; and if it will be open to non-community centres, specifically GAA clubs. [63183/22]
View answerThe Government is aware of the challenges facing community and voluntary organisations and I was delighted to secure a further €20 million in funding under Budget 2023 to continue the Community Centres Investment Fund.
This builds on the funding approved under the fund in 2022. The huge interest in this fund shows how important community centres are for communities throughout Ireland. This Government is committed to providing funding to improve and upgrade these centres which will allow them to continue to provide services for communities to come together.
It is intended that the 2023 fund will be targeted primarily at new build community centres. GAA clubs were eligible to apply to the 2022 fund so long as they satisfied the criteria outlined in the fund guidelines. The detail of the 2023 scheme is currently being developed by officials within my Department, and I would expect that the eligibility criteria would be similar to that of the 2022 fund. It is my intention to announce the details of the 2023 fund in quarter 1.
