Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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327. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the level of grant aid or funding that is available for voluntary or community groups that wish to establish a community and-or sports hall in their area; the level of funding available to enable such a project to proceed to a successful conclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17349/18]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Funding may be available through my Department’s Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the LEADER Programme to voluntary or community groups who wish to establish a community or sports hall in their area.

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme was launched in 2016, with funding of €10 million allocated for that year. An enhanced Town and Village Renewal scheme was announced in 2017, with an emphasis on projects that would have a sustainable and visible impact on towns or villages and their environs and could demonstrate economic impact or potential. In October 2017, I announced the allocation of €21.6 million to 281 projects in towns and villages across rural Ireland under the scheme.

Under Budget 2018, I have secured an allocation of €15 million for this year's Town and Village Renewal Scheme. Details of the scheme are currently being finalised and I am planning to launch the 2018 scheme shortly. I will again be placing an emphasis on projects that can demonstrate strong economic benefits for towns, villages and their environs.

It is anticipated that as in previous years Local Authorities will be invited to submit applications to the Department for consideration.

Local Authorities will be required to advertise for expressions of interest from towns and villages in their area and proposals to develop a community or sports hall may be considered if the application displays a strong economic benefit to the community and falls within the criteria of the 2018 Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

Local Authorities will select a number of projects for development into detailed applications to be submitted to the Department.

Capital funding may also be available under my Department's LEADER Programme to develop or renovate community centres or sports halls. LEADER is a multi-annual EU co-funded programme to support rural development. Ireland has an allocation of €250 million under the programme over the period 2014-2020, including both national and EU funding. LEADER is delivered through Local Action Groups in 28 rural areas around the country.

In order for a project to be eligible for LEADER funding, it must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved Local Development Strategy in the area concerned, and it must comply with the Operating Rules and EU Regulations in place for the programme.

The decision to approve a project, or otherwise, is a matter for the Local Action Group in the relevant area.

Applications for funding can be made directly to the relevant Local Action Groups. Contact details for all Local Action Groups are available on my Department's website www.drcd.gov.ie/rural/development/leader