Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent)
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822. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there is specific funding available for community halls (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40233/20]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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Community facilities such as community halls are funded from a range of different sources across different Government Departments and agencies.

Some of the supports provided by my Department towards community facilities are outlined below.

My Department's Community Services Programme (CSP)supports over 420 community organisations, including community centres. A Support Fund of €1.2m was put in place earlier this year, providing additional funding to many of these CSP organisations which had suffered a loss of income due to the COVID-19 restrictions. Last week I increased the allocation to the Fund providing an additional €3.55m. This brings the total amount allocated under the CSP Support Fund to €4.75m.

My Department also 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. To date, funding of just under €31m has been allocated to 590 organisations delivering critical front line services to those most at need in their communities. Community centres that meet the eligibility criteria are receiving support under this fund. I expect to make an announcement shortly regarding the distribution of the additional €10m allocated to the Stability Fund as part of the budgetary process.

The 2020 Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) with funding of €2m providing small capital grants to community organisations was launched in June. Separately, under the July stimulus package my Department launched a €5m fund for repairs or upgrades to community centres and community buildings. While it is now closed for 2020, it is hoped to run the CEP again in 2021.

The Rural Development Investment Programmeis being tailored to address the emerging challenges associated with COVID-19. This includes schemes such as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme through which improvements to community centres have been funded in the past. The closing date for applications under the 2020 Town and Village Renewal Scheme has passed, however a further round of the Scheme will operate in 2021. Full details of the 2021 Scheme will issue to all Local Authorities when finalised.

My Department will continue to work with relevant stakeholders, including the Community and Voluntary sector, Local Authorities and Local Development Companies, to support community organisations across the country as they deal with the ongoing and emerging challenges presented by COVID-19. I would encourage all groups to engage with their Local Authority and Local Development Company so that they are aware of funding opportunities as they become available.