Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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2046. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the details of the establishment of a new small capital grant scheme for community centre upgrades which was announced in Budget 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1281/22]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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I acknowledge the importance of community centres, they are the cornerstone of community life in many places around the country.

To fulfill a Programme for Government commitment to establish a small capital grants scheme for the maintenance and improvement of community centres, my department is establishing a new scheme for this purpose.

The details of this scheme are currently being finalised.  Community centres in urban and rural areas will be eligible, and eligible works will likely include energy retrofitting, works to address safety concerns, works to improve disability access and works to improve communal facilities such as kitchen and toilet facilities.  The Scheme will be launched in early 2022 and further details will be announced in due course.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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2047. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a response will issue in relation to a matter in which funding was removed (details supplied); and if it will be ensured that funding applications underway will be completed. [1305/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The LEADER Food Initiative is administered at local level by Local Action Groups (LAGs) with overall funding allocated at a national level by my Department. Project applications are in the first instance considered at local level, with subsequent final project approval signed off by my Department on a first come first served basis. As with all funding programmes, there is a finite budget available for allocation under this measure. 

With regard to the particular project referred to by the Deputy, the original application was withdrawn by the applicant due to changes to the project specifications.  My Department was made aware of a possible change in the status of this application in May of 2021.  A new application was submitted to the LAG in December. 

Prior to the submission of a new application from the project promoter by the LAG, the funding budget was exhausted.  The LAGs are aware of all relevant scheme conditions and have been kept up to date at regular intervals by my Department with regard to the availability of funding. 

During 2022, my Department will keep the delivery and drawdown of funding awarded under the LEADER Food Initiative under review and should any unutilised funding become available as a result of this review consideration will be given to running a new national funding call later in the year.