Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 714 and 715 together.

Under the range of capital investment programmes operated by my Department, I have prioritised in recent years the development and enhancement of community centres across the country as they are a vital resource for all of the community.

Under the 2022 Community Centre Investment Fund, which was the first year of the Fund's operation, over €45.8 million was committed for improvement and refurbishment works on over 860 existing community centres across Ireland in 2022. From a review of the applicant organisations, I understand that 37 of the groups funded as the named applicant were established to specifically work with young people. Of course, community centres are for everyone in the community, young and old. I would expect that the vast majority of the community centres approved in 2022 and 2024 will be utilised by and benefit young people and youth organisations in their locality.

Following on from this investment, I wanted to assist community groups who are striving to build their own community centre to service their local needs. That is why, in 2023, the focus of the Community Centres Investment Fund moved to new builds. I was very pleased, only last week, to announce funding of €30 million under the 2023 scheme which will now see the construction of twelve new facilities in nine separate counties across the country. These are listed in the table below.

I am confident that all of these 12 facilities will be a vital resource for young people. Specifically as regards youth work organisations funded as named applicants, Carlow Regional Youth Services CLG are a partner organisation for the Tullow Road Community Hub application in County Carlow which was approved over €4.1 million under the Fund. Furthermore, over €1.1 million has been allocated to a Scouting Den and Community Centre in Ballina, Co. Mayo.

The table below outlines the successful applicants under the 2023 Community Centre Investment Fund - new Build measure.