Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Community centres are the cornerstone of community life in many towns, villages and urban areas around the country. This Government recognises the important role they play in community life in Ireland, bringing people together and engaging with those who may be marginalised or disadvantaged.

With this in mind, my Department has put in place an integrated programme of supports for the establishment and development of community centres across schemes such as CLÁR, LEADER, the Community Support Fund, the Town and Village Renewable Scheme, and of course the new Community Centres Investment Fund.

The 2022 Community Centres Investment Fund was warmly welcomed the length and breadth of the country. Over €45.5 million has been committed to the improvement and refurbishment of existing community centres across the country.

Following on from this, I want to assist community groups striving to build their own community centre to service local needs so this year the focus of the Community Centres Investment Fund has moved to new builds.

In March I was delighted to announce a €20 million Fund to support communities with ‘shovel-ready’ projects on green or brownfield sites to build new community centres.

This Measure will target areas which do not have an appropriate facility to meet the needs of their area. The minimum grant funding available is €1 million with the maximum being €6 million.

The deadline for receipt of applications is 3rd July 2023 and I would encourage communities that have eligible projects with planning permission to submit an application under the Fund.

Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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69. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the level of funding her Department can make available for a project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19326/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns and villages and rural areas across Ireland.

To date, 215 projects have been approved for funding of €395 million for projects costing €542 million.

Calls for applications to the Fund are sought under two categories – Category 1 and Category 2. Category 1 relates to large scale ambitious capital projects with all necessary planning and other consents in place, and which are ready to proceed. Category 2 provides smaller grant funding to enable the development of project proposals suitable for future calls for Category 1 applications.

The Coláiste Íosagáin Campus project was approved funding of €180,000 from the first call for Category 2 applications in 2019. This project will complete a masterplan for the Coláiste Íosagáin Campus which will set out the economic, planning and environmental case for the re-purposing of the building structure and the surrounding area.

Based on progress reports submitted to my Department by the lead party, Údarás na Gaeltachta, I understand that work on this project has been progressing well. The Community Engagement Partners have been preparing the economic and business case for the project and the report will be finalised in Quarter 2 of 2023. A Partner Advisory Group is currently being established to advise on the direction of the project. Earlier this month, the project was granted planning permission by Cork County Council.

RRDF funding of €44,052 has been drawn down for the project to date and the lead party is expecting the remainder of the RRDF funding to be drawn down by the end of 2023.