Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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924.To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she plans to open the Community Centres Investment Fund in 2024 for a new round of funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25040/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Community centres are a vital resource for any community. With this in mind, I have prioritised the development and enhancement of community centres across the country under the range of schemes implemented by my Department.

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. Communities are now enjoying the improvements to the fabric of their community centres as a result of this Government initiative.

Following on from this investment, I wanted to assist community groups who are striving to build their own new community centre to service their local needs. In April I approved funding of €30 million for the construction of 12 new community centres covering nine counties.

I am now giving consideration to the need for a further round of funding under the Community Centre Investment Fund, and indeed the conditions that might be attached to any further iteration of the scheme in the context of available funding.