Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 February 2022
2. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if funding is available and if a scheme will be announced for the construction of new community centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8754/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to ask the Minister if funding is available and if a scheme will be announced for the construction of new community centres. What funding will be available and what will be the criteria for such a scheme?
I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. My Department currently provides a number of funding streams which can be used for the improvement and development of community centres throughout the country. The rural regeneration and development fund, RRDF, provides funding for the development and construction of large-scale capital projects in towns and villages and rural areas across Ireland. I announced the fourth call for category 1 applications in December 2021, with a closing date for applications of 29 April.
Funding for community centre projects may be also available through the LEADER transitional programme. This covers the period 2021 to 2022 and came into effect on 1 April 2021 for new project applications. The LEADER programme is administered by the local action groups in each of the 28 LEADER sub-regional areas around the county.
A new capital fund for the upgrade of community centres was referred to in the national development plan and an indicative budget of €5 million has been secured for this under budget 2022. It is envisaged that this capital fund will support the upgrade and refurbishment of existing community buildings in urban and rural areas. The fund could assist with projects such as energy retrofitting projects that reduce an organisation's carbon footprint; works to address safety concerns, including as a result of fire safety audits; works to improve disability access; and works to improve communal facilities such as kitchen and toilet facilities. The details of this capital scheme are currently being developed within my Department. It will be launched in quarter 1 of this year. I will be announcing further details in due course.
Newcastle is a community of more than 6,000 people on the west side of Galway city. Under the chairmanship of Mr. Seamus Davey, a committee got together and raised more than €200,000. It acquired a site and secured planning permission. The project, which is for a much-needed centre for the area, is shovel ready. It has the unanimous support of the local city councillors. I have a letter from the chief executive of Galway City Council confirming his support for the project. The correspondence confirms that while the area of Galway city in question has grown significantly in recent years, unfortunately there are no community facilities for the residents in which to congregate. People in the area need a facility such as a community centre within each of their homes. They need somewhere to meet up with their neighbours, enjoy social activities and take further-education courses. All that is needed is adequate funding for the project. Those involved have ambitious plans to contribute to the health and wellness of the local community in addition to providing educational opportunities and accommodating sporting activity. I ask that the proposal be considered for funding. All that is needed is capital funding. It will be matched by Galway City Council. I ask the Minister to consider such a project.
I thank the Deputy. Well done to the community for raising €200,000. That is no mean feat. When we open the community centre fund, the group will be able to apply. That it is getting financial support from Galway City Council will help to meet some of the costs. I do not know what the overall cost will be. The plan is that the fund initially will be for renovations more so than for new builds, but each application will be assessed on its own merit, as is always the case. I recommend that the group make an application, and we will take it from there.
I thank the Minister for her positive response. The next time she or her Minister of State visit Galway, they will be invited to visit the site of the proposed community centre and meet the committee that has produced the ambitious plans.
As the Minister stated, community centres are often the backbone of communities, but unfortunately there are areas in which no community facility exists. Newcastle in Galway city is one of these areas. Approximately 60% of the residents of the area are retired and have absolutely no facilities, be they community, commercial or otherwise. Communities are willing to work with the Government to make their projects a success. Newcastle Combined Community Association is no different. It is determined to make sure the community centre is viable in the long term by means of measures to generate income for the service provider to cover operating costs. Funding for this facility will enhance the lives of everyone in the community. I hope the application will be considered favourably when the scheme is announced.
I thank the Deputy. As he says, community centres are at the heart of every community. We need places for people to meet up, to play sport and engage in all sorts of activities. The centres are important and we support them in every way we can. We have a community activities fund, under which Galway City Council was allocated €264,910. Galway County Council got €286,000. Under the 2021 community enhancement programme, the allocation for Galway City Council was €132,000 and that for Galway County Council was €43,000. Under the community activities fund, considerable funding was allocated. We are opening a new fund but have not finalised the details yet. We will be doing so shortly. I know the funding will be welcome. I thank the Deputy.
