Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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2084. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the plans for the provision of a community hub in Carlow on the Tullow Road; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37359/23]

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, I have 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 Renewal 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 €45.8 million has been committed to the improvement and refurbishment of existing community centres across Ireland.

Following on from this, I wanted 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 has moved to new builds.

In March, I announced 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 deadline for receipt of applications was 3rd July and the assessment process has now commenced.

I am happy to confirm that Carlow County Council have submitted an application in relation to the Tullow Road Development. All applications received are currently being assessed by my Department and it is expected that successful projects will be announced in Quarter One of 2024.

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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2085. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the development of a water activity hub in Carlow town park for users of the River Barrow as an amenity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37362/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) is funded by my Department under Our Rural Future. The Scheme provides funding for the development and enhancement of outdoor recreational infrastructure such as walking trails, cycleways, blue ways and bridleways throughout rural Ireland. Since the launch of the scheme in 2016, funding in excess of €106 million has supported more than 1,500 projects across the country. A number of projects connected with the River Barrow have received funding from the Scheme in the past.

Measure 2 and 3 of the 2023 ORIS Scheme aim to provide funding for the development of medium and large scale recreational infrastructure. The deadline for applications under Measure 2 and 3 is October 27th 2023. No application for the proposed water activity hub has been received to date.

I understand, however, that it is the intention of Carlow Local Authority to apply for Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Funding for the proposed water activity hub in Carlow Town Park once the programme is opened for applications. This scheme falls under the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.