Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

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.

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