Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 January 2024
589. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she and her Department will consider the purchase of Rawlton House, Sherrard Street Lower, Dublin 1, as part of the community recognition fund to be repurposed as a community centre. [3724/24]
View answerThe Community Recognition Fund recognises the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland. Funding of €50 million for some 900 projects is supporting towns and villages nationwide that have welcomed people from Ukraine and other countries.
The Fund aims to support the development of facilities that will be used in the future by all members of the community. It is important to note that this is separate from other public funding streams which aim to support the development of public services arising from the significant number of new arrivals into Ireland.
Through this initiative, communities are being assisted to develop projects such as large-scale multi-purpose sports facilities, walkways, cycle paths, playgrounds, equipment for sports clubs and community festivals. Vehicles have also been funded to address transport needs in communities.
A key priority for me now is to ensure that the range of projects approved across the country are delivered in a timely manner.
I have also been discussing the implementation of the Community Recognition Fund with Government colleagues in recent days, including the potential to introduce a second iteration of the scheme to further assist impacted communities. I have asked my officials to advance this work with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery & Reform and, subject to the outcome of that process, I expect to make an announcement shortly.
It should be noted that under the Community Recognition Fund it is a matter for each local authority to engage with impacted communities to identify the best projects to propose to my Department. In the event that a new iteration of the fund is announced, I would advise the Deputy to engage with Dublin City Council as regards any potential projects that might be put forward.
