Brendan Griffin
Question:270. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her future plans for the community centre programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55804/23]
View answerWednesday, 13 December 2023
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Community Centres are the cornerstone of community life in many towns, villages and urban areas around the country. This Government recognises the important role they play in community life in Ireland, bringing people together and engaging with those who may be marginalised or disadvantaged.
With this in mind, I have put in place an integrated programme of supports for the establishment and development of community centres across schemes such as CLÁR, LEADER, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, and of course the new Community Centres Investment Fund. Only last week I announced funding of €6 million under a new 'Department of Rural and Community Development Local Enhancement Programme' with a particular focus on small capital works/improvements, and the purchase of equipment for community use.
The 2022 Community Centres Investment Fund was warmly welcomed the length and breadth of the country. Over €45.8 million has been committed to the improvement and refurbishment of existing community centres across Ireland under this iteration of the Fund.
Following on from this, I wanted to assist community groups striving to build their own community centre to service local needs, so this year the focus of the Community Centres Investment has moved to new builds.
In March 2023, I announced a €20 million Fund to support communities with ‘shovel-ready’ projects on green or brownfield sites to build new community centres. The 2023 Fund will target areas which do not have an appropriate facility to meet the needs of their area.
Twenty-two applications under the Community Centre Investment Fund 2023 are currently being assessed by my Department and it is expected that successful projects will be announced in quarter one 2024. Once the current round of funding has been finalised, I will then give consideration to the need for, and conditions that might be attached to, any further iterations of the scheme in the context of the available funding.