Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 34 and 42 together.

Community centres are a vital resource for any community. They are where we go for community activities and events, and for social supports and social interaction. They are home to many of our cultural and sporting clubs. They are also where communities come together in times of difficulty and in times of celebration.

I have prioritised the development and enhancement of community centres across the country to improve access and provide suitable social spaces.

Under the 2022 Community Centre Investment Fund in particular, over €45.8 million was committed for improvement and refurbishment works on over 860 existing community centres across Ireland. There was a huge uptake of this funding and communities are now enjoying the improvements to the fabric of their community centres as a result of this Government initiative.

I am happy to confirm that approximately 600 of these projects are now complete or have submitted their final progress reports. These progress reports are currently being reviewed in advance of final payment.

Project extensions have been provided for approximately 250 projects, with a small number of other extension requests currently being assessed.

I am happy to confirm that there were eight projects funded in Carlow under the 2022 Community Centre Investment fund. Three of these projects have been completed.

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 and I announced a new fund to support communities with shovel-ready projects on green or brownfield sites for the construction of new community centres.

When I launched this fund last year with a €20 million allocation, I expected to approve 5 or 6 projects. Taking account of the quality of the applications and the identified needs, last month I was delighted to approve funding of €30 million for construction of 12 new community centres covering nine counties.

This funding will assist community groups striving to build their own community centre to service local needs and the level of interest has shown that these centres, when complete, will be the heart of many a community.

These projects are all on brown or green field sites and have all the necessary planning and consents secured so they are already at an advanced stage and ready to commence following a tender process.

The successful community centre projects will receive capital grants of between €1 million and €6 million to build multi-functional centres in areas that currently lack community facilities.

I am delighted to confirm that Tullow Road Community Hub in Carlow was successful in their application to the new builds scheme, with over €4.1 million being approved under the fund.

Deputy Smyth will also no doubt be aware that Rockcorry Community Centre was successful in their application in County Monaghan with over €2.6 million being approved under the fund.

Deputy Cannon will also be pleased to note that County Galway had two successful projects under this fund. Aras Lae, Maigh Cuilinn have been approved €6 million in grant aid and Newcastle Community Centre in Galway City was approved for over €4.3 million in respect of their application.

Through ‘Our Rural Future’, I want to support locally led, ground-up projects in local communities across the country. This funding is all about giving a helping hand to our local groups as they serve their communities with such dedication and generosity. I am always struck by the immense pride communities have in their locality. The community centre is a safe, positive and accessible space for all manner of community activities and I want to ensure that community centres continue to remain a hive of activity.

I am now giving consideration to the need for further rounds of funding and indeed the conditions that might be attached to any further iterations of the scheme in the context of available funding.