Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 February 2024
663. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a scheme to support the provision of sensory rooms within community centres will be developed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8894/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommunity Centres are the cornerstone of community life in towns and villages around the country. This Government recognises the important role that these centres play in bringing people together and facilitating community services and events.
I have put in place an integrated programme of capital funding supports for the development of infrastructure in rural areas and for the development of community facilities right across the country.
Under the 2022 Community Centre Investment Fund in particular, over €45.8 million was committed for improvement and refurbishment of existing community centres across Ireland. There was a huge uptake of this funding and over 860 different projects are seeing improvements to the fabric of their community centres as a result of this Government initiative.
Following on from this investment, I wanted to assist community groups who are striving to build their own community centre to service their local needs. That is why, in 2023, the focus of the Community Centres Investment Fund moved to new builds. The assessment of these applications is almost complete and I expect to announce the successful projects shortly.
A decision in respect of any further iteration of the Community Centre Investment Fund will be made after the announcement of the successful new build community centre projects.
My Department also administers the Community Recognition Fund, which 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. 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.
Discussions are ongoing with regard to introducing a second iteration of the scheme to further assist impacted communities and I expect to make an announcement shortly.
The CLÁR Programme also provides funding for small-scale projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population over a defined period. Since the Programme was relaunched in 2016, it has supported a wide range of measures.
Funding of €7.85m was allocated for the 2023 CLÁR programme an increase of €0.5m on 2022.
The 2023 Programme included measures to support:
Developing Community Facilities and Amenities (Measure 1)
Mobility, Cancer Care and Community First Responders Transport (Measure 2)
‘Our Islands’ (Measure 3)
I hope to launch the 2024 CLÁR programme in the coming months subject to budgetary discussions and a review of measures to be included.
The inclusion of sensory spaces in applications for funding under these schemes will be considered in line with the conditions pertaining to each scheme in any given year.
