Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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1923. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she plans to open a new round of the Community Centre Investment Fund in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1927/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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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 to continue the 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.

It is intended that the 2023 fund will be targeted primarily at 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.

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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1925. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if consideration will be given to measures to fund the restoration of surfaces for multi-use gaming areas and astro pitches under the CLÁR programme supporting outdoor community recreation facilities in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1955/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The CLÁR programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population over a defined period.

Since the CLÁR programme was relaunched in 2016, it has supported a wide range of measures. Funding of over €57 million has been approved for almost 2,100 projects. This included almost €22 million for safety related measures at schools/community facilities.

Under the CLÁR 2022 programme, funding of over €12 million was approved for almost 300 projects. The measures funded were:

- Developing Community Facilities and Amenities (Measure 1)

- Mobility, Cancer Care and Community First Responders Transport (Measure 2)

- ‘Our Islands’ (Measure 3)

Measure 1 supported a variety of capital interventions including the refurbishment of Multi-use Gaming Areas (MUGAs) and Astro Pitches, provided that they contributed to the enhancement of existing, and/or the development of new, accessible community recreation facilities.

The Measures for inclusion in the CLÁR programme are reviewed each year and are being reviewed again in advance of the next launch of the programme.