Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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241. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the timelines for any potential funding stream in 2022 for community centres and community facilities; and if she will report on the potential to create a specific LGBT+ community resource centre fund in recognition of the need for infrastructure investment for the LGBT+ community nationwide and to build on the positive impact of the LGBT+ project funding in 2021. [15504/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Earlier this month, I announced the introduction of a new Community Centres Investment Fund (CCIF).

This new capital Fund will provide funding of €15 million for the upgrade and refurbishment of existing community centres across the country for use by everyone in our communities. Under the Fund groups and organisations based in both rural and urban communities can apply for grants ranging from €10,000 to €300,000.

Guidelines and application forms will be available to view shortly at www.gov.ie.

Separately, since 2019, my Department has provided funding through the Dormant Accounts Fund to support LGBT+ community organisations across the country. The 2022 Dormant Accounts Action Plan was announced last November and included €200,000 for supporting LGBT+ community organisations. The main purpose of this funding is to help the organisations make the existing community infrastructures inclusive and welcoming to the LGBT+ community and to provide pop-up LGBT+ services in areas not currently serviced. This is in line with my Department's commitment to implement actions in the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2021.

Following an application process, funding was allocated to the Local Authorities who engage with the LGBT+ organisations at local level and ensure that these actions are implemented.

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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242. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding streams available to men’s sheds to acquire their own premises to operate out of. [15505/22]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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My Department provides a range of supports which Men's and Women's Sheds can avail of depending on the works being completed.

Since 2018,the Community Enhancement Programme (CEP)provided capital funding for community groups which included €0.5m that was ring-fenced for Men's Sheds and again in 2019, €0.5m was ring-fenced under the programme for both Men's & Women's Sheds. The CEPran again in 2020 and 2021 providing small capital grants to community groups to enhance their facilities and towards the reopening of facilities.

In November 2021 the €9m Community Activities Fundwas launched and it continues into 2022 to support community groups impacted by COVID-19. This fund will support groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with their running/operating costs such as utility or insurance bills, as well as with improvements to their facilities. Men's and Women's Sheds are free to apply for this funding via their LCDCs, and should contact them directly to submit an application.

Funding for projects may also be available through the LEADER Transitional programme. This will cover the period 2021-2022, and came into effect on the 1 April 2021 for new project applications.

Since 2018 the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP)has provided supports to over 200 Men’s Sheds, with small grants totalling over €98,000 awarded to 116 Men’s Sheds. This support is still is available from SICAP.

The Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO)provides multi-annual funding towards core costs of national, communityand voluntary organisations. The current scheme runs from 1st July 2019 to 30th June 2022. The Irish Men’s Sheds Associationwas allocated €270,000over the three year period of the scheme. My Department also funded the Irish Men’s Sheds Associationunder the Stability Fundin 2020, with €70,424in current funding to support the organisation to continue to deliver services despite the challenges brought by COVID-19.

I encourage all organisations to check on www.gov.ie and to keep in touch with their local LCDC for information around funding opportunities.