Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 46: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will make a statement on the availability of grants for community organisations to upgrade their community facilities, in view of their importance to community life. [8408/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Due to the continuing pressures on the public finances, the Programme of Grants for Locally Based Community and Voluntary Organisations was suspended at the end of February 2009. My Department has no plans to re-open the Scheme to new applications at present and, accordingly, organisations may wish to pursue alternative channels to secure grant support for the upgrading of community facilities.

One possible alternative is the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007-13, under which funding of €425m is available to improve the quality of life in rural areas and facilitate the diversification of the rural economy. Under the RDP, Local Action Groups (LAGs) distribute funding to community groups and individuals in rural areas for a range of activities. One of the measures funded is the provision of 'Basic services for the economy and rural population' for which nearly €50m has been made available over the lifetime of the RDP. The objective of this measure is the identification and provision of appropriate cultural and leisure facilities for local communities.

Interested community organisations should contact their local LAG which may be able to assist. Contact details for all of the groups are available on my Department's website by following the link. http://www.pobail.ie/en/RuralDevelopment/RuralDevelopmentProgramme2007-2013/ContactsforLocalActionGroupsforLeader2007-2013/