Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 November 2023
602. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her position on applications made jointly by schools, public bodies and community organisations for funding from the community centre investment fund. [50667/23]
View answerThe focus of the 2022 Community Centres Investment Fund was the improvement and refurbishment of existing community centres across Ireland. Over €45.8 million has been committed to this important refurbishment work.
This year the focus of the Fund moved to new builds. I want to assist community groups striving to build their own community centre to service local needs. In March, I was delighted to announce a €20 million Fund to support communities with ‘shovel-ready’ projects on green or brownfield sites to build new community centres.
This Measure will target areas which do not have an appropriate facility to meet the needs of their area. The minimum grant funding available is €1 million with the maximum being €6 million. The deadline for receipt of applications was 3rd July.
These applications are currently being assessed by my Department and it is expected that successful projects will be announced in quarter one of 2024.
For the purposes of compliance with public financial procedures, the lead party to an application had to be a State-funded body. State-funded bodies are local authorities, local development companies and other State agencies, including commercial State bodies. This would not have included primary or secondary level schools, although they were welcome to engage with lead parties and communities in taking a partnership approach to any particular project.
