Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 May 2018
437. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there are grants available in relation to the establishment of community halls in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19946/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that funding is available through a number of schemes run through my Department to support the management, and development, of community centres, respectively.
The Community Services Programme (CSP) supports community organisations to provide local services through a social enterprise model. Such services include community owned, or community managed, buildings and facilities that are used for community benefit, including community centres. CSP funding is provided as a contribution to the cost of a manager and an agreed number of full-time equivalent positions, with €32,000 per annum provided for a manager and €19,033 per annum for each full-time equivalent position.
Capital funding may be available under my Department's LEADER Programme to develop or renovate a community centre. LEADER is a multi-annual EU co-funded programme to support rural development. Ireland has an allocation of €250 million under the programme over the period 2014-2020, including both national and EU funding. LEADER is delivered through Local Action Groups in 28 rural areas around the country.
In order for a project to be eligible for LEADER funding, it must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved Local Development Strategy in the area concerned, and it must comply with the Operating Rules and EU Regulations in place for the programme.
The decision to approve a project, or otherwise, is a matter for the Local Action Group in the relevant area. Applications for funding can be made directly to the relevant Local Action Groups. Contact details for all Local Action Groups are available on my Department's website www.drcd.gov.ie/rural/development/leader
The 2018 Town and Village Renewal Scheme was launched on 27 April with an allocation of €15million secured in Budget 2018. This follows an allocation of €21.6million to projects in towns and villages across rural Ireland which I announced in October 2017.
This year I am again placing an emphasis on projects that can demonstrate strong economic benefits for towns, villages and their environs. As in previous years, Local Authorities are invited to submit applications to the Department for consideration. Local Authorities will be required to advertise for expressions of interest from towns and villages in their area and proposals to develop a community or sports hall may be considered if the application displays a strong economic benefit to the community and falls within the criteria of the 2018 Town and Village Renewal Scheme. Local Authorities will select a number of projects for development into detailed proposals and can submit up to 12 applications to the Department.
