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Community Development Projects

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022

Tuesday, 26 July 2022

Ceisteanna (2187)

Thomas Gould

Ceist:

2187. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the grants that are available to community groups that wish to build new community centres. [40828/22]

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Freagraí scríofa

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme aims to assist with the rejuvenation of rural towns and villages throughout Ireland, making them more attractive places to live, work and visit and has seen over 1400 projects benefit from almost €113 million in funding since its inception in 2016.

In line with the commitment in Our Rural Future, the current scheme prioritises the purchase and/or renovation of derelict and vacant buildings in our town centres, with a view to bringing these buildings back into use as multipurpose spaces. Multipurpose use includes enterprise spaces, arts, tourism, youth hubs and other community uses.

Under the 2022 Town and Village Renewal Scheme, and where there is a clearly identified and defined need in a town or village that cannot be met with an existing premises, I have included a provision for funding for new build community centres. The deadline for applications under the Scheme was 22 July 2022. I expect to be in a position to announce successful applicants later this year.

The LEADER programme is another key intervention implemented by my Department which will help to underpin the Government's rural development goals as outlined in Our Rural Future. The LEADER programme is delivered through 29 Local Action Groups (LAGs) across rural Ireland. A feature of the LEADER programme is that it is based on a community-led, bottom-up approach to rural development.

Support under the LEADER programme is provided under a broad range of themes, including Economic Development, Enterprise Development and Job Creation. This theme focuses on improving access to basic services for people living in rural areas. Funding may be available through the LEADER Programme for building new community centres.

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 for the relevant LEADER area and it must comply with the Operating Rules and EU Regulations in place for the programme.

Prospective applicants should, in the first instance, contact their relevant LAG, through its Implementing Partner, to discuss the eligibility of the project and the funding that may be available. The list of all LAGs, their Implementing Partners and their contact details, is available on my Department’s website.

The Deputy may also be aware that earlier this year I launched a new €15m capital fund to support community groups for the upgrade and refurbishment of Community Centres. This fund, which had a closing date for applications of 14 July, will support a range of capital improvement works of varying scale for community centres across Ireland.

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