Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

I do not disagree with the Deputy. That is why we have invested in the community centre investment fund and why we have put money aside for new centres, new builds, in communities such as Ballyvolane. Twelve of those have been funded and Rylane in Cork is one, and that is why I hope to have another scheme next year for new builds. I am more than happy to work with the Deputies here and the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, on Ballyvolane but the application has to come in. I would put it back on the city council in this case to work with the Oireachtas Members and the local community, most importantly, to get that application together. I am more than happy to work with the Deputy and to keep him updated on the funding that may or may not be available for a scheme for either new builds or refurbishment. As I said, I have approved €30 million already for new centres. We want to build new centres. We had a discussion earlier on the value of community centres and the Deputy’s colleague Deputy O’Reilly highlighted the need for co-location of services such as childcare. That is what we want to do.

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