Bernard Durkan
Question:1414. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to outline her ambitions for the Community Enhancement Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28578/23]
View answerTuesday, 13 June 2023
Questions (1414)
Written answers
Last November, I was delighted to launch the 2022 Community Support Fund (CSF) under the Community Enhancement Programme, with funding of €10 million to assist thousands of community groups across the country. A key feature of the Community Enhancement Programme is that it is targeted to the specific challenges facing local community groups and delivers immediate, tangible supports where they are needed most.
In general, support under the Community Enhancement Programme is available to, for example, Parish Halls, Community Centres, Local Development Associations, Social Clubs, Senior Citizen Groups, Men’s and Women’s Sheds. Under the 2022 CSF iteration, the fund is delivering small grants to help groups with running costs and rising energy bills. Groups can also use the funding to carry out small upgrade works and to purchase equipment to support their activities such as laptops and printers, lawnmowers, training equipment, etc.
Community Enhancement Funding is administered on behalf of my Department locally by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) across the country, with support from their Local Authority. The relevant LCDC receive and appraise applications, making determinations on how the funding can best support their communities.
I have seen first-hand how these small grants make a big difference for local community groups. The feedback from community groups and from the LCDCs is very positive, and as these grants deliver immediate, targeted funding support that can be used against a range of costs, both capital and current, they are making a real impact on the ground in communities across the country.
The 2022 CSF is now closed to applicants and details of successful projects will be published on my Department’s website www.gov.ie/drcd in the coming weeks. It is hoped to run another CEP later in 2023, however, details of this programme are not yet confirmed.
I look forward to continuing to deliver meaningful supports like the CEP to local communities as we support them to respond to the challenges they face.