Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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746. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the details of the funding provided to each local community development committee under the community enhancement programme to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26568/21]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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The Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) was first launched by my Department in 2018.  It facilitates a flexible, streamlined and targeted approach to providing funding to those community organisations most in need, while reducing the level of administration involved.  The fund is distributed by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) on the basis of local need.

The CEP received total funding of €13m in 2018 and €5m in 2019.  In 2020, CEP funding was a total of €7.2m with €5m of this fund provided for repairs or upgrades to community centres and community buildings as part of the Government's July stimulus package. 

Last week, I launched the 2021 CEP with an allocation of €4.5m.  The key theme of this year’s programme is supporting groups as they their re-open facilities which were closed due to COVID-19.  This funding is to help groups and clubs get back on their feet and may be used to carry out necessary renovations and repairs or to purchase equipment such as tables and chairs, tools and signage, laptops and printers, lawnmowers, canopies, training equipment and so on.

Funds allocated to each Local Community Development Committee since the CEP was first launched is set out in the table below.

*€12.5m CEP & €0.5m Ring-fenced for Mens Sheds

**€4.5m CEP & €0.5m Ring-fenced for Mens & Womens Sheds