Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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366. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if projects in County Cavan are to benefit from the community centres investment fund – new builds measure 2023 and if so, to provide details of the project and amount to be received. [43299/23]

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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368. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if projects in south County Monaghan are to benefit from the community centres investment fund – new builds measure 2023; and if so, to provide details of the project and amount to be received. [43301/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 366 and 368 together.

In 2022 I launched the new Community Centres Investment Fund, and this new initiative 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 through this fund.

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 Fund 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 can confirm that no application was received to develop a new community centre in county Cavan under this scheme while one application was received from Monaghan in respect of Rockcorry Community Centre. Applications are currently being assessed by my Department and it is expected that successful projects will be announced in quarter one 2024.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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367. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if projects in County Cavan benefited from the community centres investment fund – improvement and refurbishment of existing community centres 2022; and if so, to provide details of the project and amount received. [43300/23]

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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369. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if projects in south County Monaghan benefited from the community centres investment fund – improvement and refurbishment of existing community centres 2022; and if so, to provide details of the project and the amount received. [43302/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 367 and 369 together.

This Government recognises the important role that community centres play in community life in Ireland, particularly in 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 Renewal Scheme, and of course the Community Centres Investment Fund which provides a specific funding line to support centres.

The focus of the 2022 Community Centres Investment Fund was the improvement and refurbishment of existing community centres across Ireland. Over €45.8 million has been committed to this important refurbishment work.

A list of all successful applications under the Community Centres Investment Fund can be found on my Department's website here.

www.gov.ie/en/collection/3a8bd-community-centre-investment-fund-successful-projects/

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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One of the key focuses of Our Rural Future:, the Government's Rural Development Policy 2021 - 2025 is optimising digital connectivity to support vibrant, sustainable rural communities. I want to close the digital divide between rural and urban communities and ensure that those living in rural communities are provided with the same opportunities for remote working, online trading and for education as those in larger urban areas. I am working to achieve this ambition by providing significant funding and support through my Department.

My Department runs a number of schemes, projects and funding programmes to support rural digital development. These programmes are designed to impact communities across the country, from the most rural areas and offshore islands, to villages and regional towns.

Between 2018 and 2021, my department provided €2m under the Digital Innovation Program to trial innovative technologies across rural Ireland to support local authority led projects that offer digital solutions to local issues, or address digital deficiencies. These projects established the viability and efficacy of a number of technologies, not least in the areas of rural tourism and public safety.

My Department is currently examining options to continue to provide funding for digital development in rural areas and to support Local Authorities in scaling up successful digital projects.