Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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2037. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the way in which a sum of approximately €172,000 announced as part of the town and village renewal scheme 2019 for Bunratty, County Clare has been used; if the works associated with this funding allocation have been delayed or cancelled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63154/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Town and Village Renewal Scheme provides funding to support the revitalisation of our rural towns and villages.

I can confirm that the Bunratty village project, referred to by the Deputy, was awarded funding of €137,600 through the 2019 Town and Village Renewal Scheme. Clare County Council, who are responsible for managing the project, sought changes to the scope of the project in late 2020 which were approved  by my Department.

The revised project now proposes to fund streetscape improvements, pedestrianisation along the old Ennis road,  improved public space (incorporating bandstand and seating), high quality  signage and a village plan providing the basis for potential further investment in the village.

I understand that progress on the project has not advanced as quickly as originally planned and that Clare County Council has sought, and been provided with, an extension to the end of October 2022 in order to bring the project to completion.  The  local community group promoting the project has been informed.  

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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2038. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if funding is available for a centre (details supplied). [63254/21]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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My Department has a number of schemes that are relevant to community centres, an example is the Community Enhancement Programme.  The programme provided €4.5m funding in 2021 for small capital grants for the improvement of facilities and it will be available again in 2022.  

The COVID-19 Stability Fund 2021 was launched on Thursday 6th May 2021, and was targeted at organisations which deliver critical services to vulnerable people within their community but which faced closure or a loss of service due to the impact of the pandemic on their ability to fund-raise or generate income.  I was pleased to award €13,890 to the organisation in question under the 2021 Stability Fund.

In November 2021, I launched the Community Activities Fund.  This €9m fund also supports community and voluntary groups impacted by COVID-19.  This once-off funding will support groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with their running costs, such as utility (Electricity, Heating charges) or insurance bills, as well as with improvements to their facilities.  Groups will also be able to use the funding to carry out necessary repairs and to purchase equipment such as tables and chairs, tools and signage, laptops and printers, lawnmowers, canopies and training equipment. 

This is currently being administered by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) in each Local Authority area, and I would advise the organisation in question to contact their local  LCDC for further details.