Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Ceist:54. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there will be another round of the community recognition fund in 2024. [41410/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 26 September 2023
Ceisteanna (54)
Freagraí ó Béal (6 píosaí cainte)
Will there be another round of the community recognition fund in 2024?
Earlier this year, together with Government colleagues, I announced details of €50 million in funding for more than 880 projects under the community recognition fund. At its core, this fund recognises the huge efforts of communities that have gone above and beyond to welcome and support people coming to Ireland. It is supporting towns and villages nationwide that have shown such generosity in welcoming 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 this is separate from other public funding streams which aim to support the development of public service needs arising from the significant number of new arrivals into Ireland. Through this initiative, communities are being assisted to develop projects such as large-scale multipurpose sports facilities, walkways, cycle paths, playgrounds, equipment for sports clubs and community festivals. The entire €50 million fund has now been allocated across all local authorities based on the number of new arrivals located here. Projects for funding were submitted by local authorities to my Department for approval following a process of extensive engagement and consultation at local level.
I have been delighted with the uptake of, and engagement with, the fund to date. A key priority now is to ensure the range of projects approved across the country is delivered over the course of this year and next. Any future iterations of the scheme will be informed by the annual budgetary process and progress in delivering the large number of projects already approved. I look forward to seeing projects coming to fruition across the country in the coming months and I am confident these projects will deliver real and lasting benefits to many communities.
It is a really good scheme and it is very welcome in all the communities that have welcomed people into the country. There has been feedback that the timescale was tight. I understand that is so of necessity. There will be a split, with €30 million this year and €20 million available next year. Will the scheme for the €20 million be open towards the end of this year or will it open next year? It is important that people have time to think of the projects. These are good projects but proper community consultation is needed and people need time to work out the best way to spend the money so that the new and existing communities can benefit as much as possible.
A total of €50 million has been allocated. It has gone to every county. Some counties put in few big projects, while other counties put in a large number of smaller projects. This year, €30 million is allocated to be spent, while €20 million is allocated to be spent next year. That is because some of the projects, particularly the larger ones, may take longer than others. The first tranche of invoices are due into my Department by 6 October. Very little has been spent to date because the first drawdown deadline is 6 October. The Department will be engaging with local authorities to ensure we have a strong drawdown in 2023. More than 880 projects were included in the funding proposals approved from the local authorities. We want to keep the pressure on. I know the communities want to feel the impact of the projects but, as I stated, smaller projects will deliver much more quickly. That is why we left €20 million to be spent next year - there is planning and work to go into it.
As I raised previously with the Minister, it may be that unexpected hiccups are encountered, particularly in the case of community centres. There needs to be fluidity in the movement towards getting those projects up and running.
Has the entire €30 million been allocated to the 800 projects? Do the applications that have come in account for the entire €30 million? Can some of those projects apply again for funding next year or is that €20 million for next year for entirely new projects? Does that make sense?
Just to clarify for the Deputy, altogether we announced €50 million in funding. We said that €30 million had to be spent this year and €20 million next year. All the projects have been announced, but some projects are bigger and it is going to take them a bit longer. That is why we have allowed them a bit more time to spend. There is €50 million in funding. Regarding another fund, again that would be part of any budget negotiations that will take place in line with the national development plan ceilings. We will look at that, but I cannot give the Deputy a commitment on it. We have to see that the money that has been allocated is being spent. I know that it can be difficult sometimes. Through no fault of anybody's something will arise that may slow the spending down, but I do not want any of these local authorities sitting on their laurels and not spending the money. There is always pressure coming from other Departments that want the money spent. The smaller projects will be easily delivered, so they will probably come first. They are going to send their first invoices in by 6 October. My Department is engaging with the local authorities to make sure that the invoices come in quickly and we get the money spent. It is very hard to look for more money when you have not spent what you have got.