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

Community centres bring us together, whether for sporting, educational or social occasions. They provide a focal point for everyone in local communities and particularly for the most marginalised members of our society. In the past two years I have approved funding of over €75 million through the community centre investment fund. I am sure the Deputy will agree that this is a really substantial investment through what is a completely new scheme introduced by this Government.

I should also point out that my Department is providing support for community centres and community amenities through other funding programmes such as the town and village renewal scheme, the CLÁR programme, LEADER and the local enhancement programme. Only last month I announced funding of more than €20 million for 82 projects under the town and village renewal scheme. Many of these projects involved works to community centres and other community facilities. The development of large-scale new facilities on greenfield or brownfield sites was the focus of the community centre investment fund projects that I also announced last month. There are 12 projects supported with funding of €30 million. No application was received in respect of a community centre in Fair Hill, County Cork, but I expect there will be other opportunities to apply for funding for such projects in future across the range of schemes offered by my Department.

I am now considering the next round of funding under the community centre investment fund, what it will fund and how it can best support more communities. I remain committed to ensuring that funding for these vital community resources will continue to be available across a range of schemes implemented by my Department.

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