Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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321. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 91 of 27 October 2022, the status of the development of the promised enhanced Community Centres Investment Fund which will be targeted specifically at new build community centres; the details of the funding that will be allocated to new build community centres under the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62568/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As I informed the Deputy in my previous response to Parliamentary Question No. 91 on 27 October 2022, the Government is aware of the challenges facing community and voluntary organisations and I was delighted to secure €20 million in funding under Budget 2023 for a 2023 Community Centres Investment Fund.

This builds on the €15 million which was announced under the fund in 2022. The huge interest in this fund shows how important community centres are for communities throughout Ireland. This Government is committed to providing funding to improve and upgrade these centres which will allow them to continue to provide services for communities to come together.

On October 12th, I announced over €12.5 million in funding for almost 580 successful Category 1 applicants. On December 8th, I was delighted to announce a further €33 million in funding for 278 successful Category 2 and 3 applicants. Details of the successful applicants are available on my Department’s website.

It is intended that the 2023 fund will be targeted for new build community centres. The details of this scheme are currently being developed by officials within my Department and I hope to announce further details in quarter 1 of 2023.