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

I thank the Deputy. In May I announced details of €50 million in funding for more than 880 projects under the community recognition fund. At its core, the community recognition fund recognises the efforts of communities who have gone above and beyond what might be expected during a very challenging period. It will support towns and villages nationwide that have shown such generosity in welcoming people from Ukraine and other countries.

Through this initiative communities will be assisted to develop projects ranging from large-scale multipurpose sports facilities to walkways, cycle paths, playgrounds, equipment for sports clubs and community festivals. The fund has been allocated across all local authorities based on the number of new arrivals located there. It follows an extensive consultation process with local authorities who submitted individual list of projects for approval. Of the 880 projects approved for funding, there is a good mix of smaller scale projects that can be delivered quickly and larger scale projects that will draw down funding in tranches. I expect there will be strong delivery across projects in the coming months, and my officials will continue to liaise with our colleagues in local authorities on delivery and the management of the financial allocations. I look forward to seeing the benefits for communities across the country as these projects are delivered over the coming months.

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