Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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1581. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if assistance can be provided to a group (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32742/20]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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Community organisations such as the one referenced by the Deputy are funded from a range of different sources across different Government Departments and agencies.

My Department introduced a package of supports for Community and Voluntary Organisations, Charities and Social Enterprises in the context of COVID-19, which included a Stability Fundof up to €35m. While this has now closed to new applications, community centres that met the eligibility criteria are receiving support under this fund.

My Department also funds the Community Enhancement Programme. The 2020 programme was launched in June with funding of €2m providing small capital grants to community organisations towards enhancing facilities.Separately, under the July stimulus package my Department launched a €5m fund for repairs or upgrades to community centres and community buildings. While both these programmes have recently closed it is hoped to run the CEP programme again in 2021.

The Community Services Programme (CSP)supports community-based organisations to provide local social, economic and environmental services through a social enterprise model.It is expected that the Programme will open targeted calls to address identified gaps in service delivery in 2021.

More generally, depending on the activities carried out in the facility, there may be different types of funding available from a range of Government Departments and agencies. I recommend that the group in question engage with both the Local Community Development Committee and the Local Development Company in their area for any updates in this regard.