Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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588. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the budget for the community facilities scheme in each of the years 2017 to 2019, in tabular form; the budget allocation for same in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47303/19]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Communities Facilities Scheme (CFS) which operated in 2017 was replaced in 2018 by the Community Enhancement Programme(CEP).

The CEP replaces and builds on the CFS and the re-cast RAPID programme which operated in 2017. It was put in place following a review of those two schemes, and consideration of a Value-for-Money review of the original RAPID programme that closed to new applications in 2011.

Combining these schemes makes for a more flexible, streamlined and targeted approach to providing funding to those communities most in need, while reducing the level of administration involved.

I have provided details below on the allocations for both the CFS and the CEP for the years 2017 to 2019. Funding for the 2020 CEP will be finalised through the Revised Estimates process later this year.

The 2018 and 2019 allocations for the CEP include €0.5m that was ring-fenced each year for Men's and Women's Sheds. In each of the years 2018 and 2019, the original allocation was increased during the year, to bring the total allocation in those years to €13m and €5m respectively.