Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

In May of this year, together with Government colleagues, I announced €50 million in funding for more than 880 projects under the community recognition fund. The fund recognises the efforts of communities who have gone above and beyond during what has been a very challenging period for our country. It will support towns and villages nationwide that have shown 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. Projects approved under this funding include enhancement works to community and sports facilities and improvements to recreational amenities, such as the provision of lighting and outdoor gym equipment. Support has also been provided to address transport needs in communities.

The fund has been allocated across all local authorities based on the number of new arrivals located there. It follows an extensive consultation process by local authorities who submitted their individual list of projects for approval. The full €50 million was allocated in a single tranche with the aim of having all projects completed by the end of next year.

These projects are to be delivered over the course of 2023 and 2024. Local authorities are currently submitting funding drawdown requests to my Department regarding these projects, and my officials are assessing these for payment. I have been delighted with the response to the fund. A key priority now is to ensure that the range of projects approved across the country are delivered as quickly as possible. While we are anxious to deliver the projects quickly, officials in the Department are ensuring sufficient flexibility on delivery timeframes is being provided, as necessary, to local authorities and community groups. I am confident these projects will deliver real and lasting benefits to many communities.

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