Written answers

Tuesday, 23 July 2024

Department of Rural and Community Development

Community Development Projects

Photo of John BradyJohn Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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2690.To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of community centres in County Wicklow; when they were built; the building cost; the annual funding and refurbishment grants, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32522/24]

Photo of John BradyJohn Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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2691.To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the plans in place to build community centres in County Wicklow, including locations; the scheduled completion date; the funding allocated, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32523/24]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 2690 and 2691 together.

The development and enhancement of community centres across the country has been a priority for me and this Government. Accordingly my Department has put in place an integrated suite of schemes whereby financial support is available for community centres. My Department does not collate data in relation to, for example, the number of existing community centres in a given county. Details are however available in relation to projects funded in centres which have received support from the range of schemes implemented by my Department.

Under the Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF) there have been a number of iterations of the Fund whereby support has been available for community centres. Under the 2022 CCIF, over €45.8 million was committed for improvement and refurbishment works on over 860 existing community centres nationwide. The 2023 CCIF focused on new build community centres, will 12 new build communities centres receiving funding earlier this year. Finally, last month I was delighted to announce that applications would soon open for a further €20 million in funding to support our community groups to upgrade and refurbish the community facilities in their areas. The CCIF 2024 will provide funding from €10,000 up to a maximum of €100,000 towards capital costs for the refurbishment of existing community centres.

In addition to the CCIF, support is also available for community centres under the CLáR programme, the LEADER programme and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. The new LEADER programme is now up and running across the country, while further iterations of the CLáR and Town and Village Renewals Schemes will open over the coming months

The following table outlines the relevant community centre related projects that have been supported by my Department in Co Wicklow area in recent years. Details of all funding programmes together with application details can be found on my Department's website.

Programme Organisation Purpose of funding Grant Amount
Community Centre Investment Fund 2022 Knockananna Community Hall To fund improvements to toilet facilities for communal use by members of the community. €25,000
Community Centre Investment Fund 2022 Ballinacor Community Project To fund installation of wheelchair accessible fire escapes. €25,000
Community Centre Investment Fund 2022 Askanagap Community Development Association To fund refurbishment and new catering equipment for the kitchen. €24,900
Community Centre Investment Fund 2022 Ballywaltrim Community Centre Company Limited By Guarantee To fund new doors and painting of the centre. €18,032
Community Centre Investment Fund 2022 Rathnew Community Centre CLG To fund upgrades to the lighting system and painting of the centre. €23,589
Community Centre Investment Fund 2022 Stratford/Grangecon Local Development Company Limited By Guarantee To fund the installation of PV solar panels to improve energy efficiency €22,792
Community Centre Investment Fund 2022 An Tairseach Cuideachta Faoi Theorainn Ráthaíochta To fund the replacement of the building’s biomass boiler system. €69,616
Community Centre Investment Fund 2022 Newtownmountkennedy Community centre To fund the replacement of fire exit doors and the installation of solar panels. €85,172
Community Centre Investment Fund 2022 Purple House Cancer Support Centre Company Limited By Guarantee To fund upgrades to windows and doors along with extension of usable community centre space. €67,501
Community Centre Investment Fund 2022 Rathdrum Cancer Support Group To fund a variety of upgrades and improvements to the centre. €100,000
Community Centre Investment Fund 2022 Wolfe Tone Community Centre To fund the upgrade of toilet and washroom facilities and the installation of new windows €74,624
Community Centre Investment Fund 2022 Newcastle Community Centre CLG To fund upgrades to the utilities in the community centre including toilets, showers, dressing rooms and kitchen facilities. €60,562
Community Centre Investment Fund 2022 Imaal Hall Company Ltd by Guarantee To fund the replacement of the roof of the Imaal Hall. €148,067
Community Centre Investment Fund 2022 Tinahely Courthouse Company Limited By Guarantee To fund the upgrade and retrofit of The Courthouse Arts Centre to provide a more accessible, safe and efficient building. €285,000
CLAR Askanagap Community Hall Hall Renovation €50,000
CLAR Askinagap Community Hall Upgrade to boundary wall and improve disablility access to community hall and toilet facilities €45,000
Town & Village Renewal Scheme Straford Provision of a community shop, cafe, remote working space, meeting spaces, a housing unit and a playground for Stratford on Slaney. €199,800
Town & Village Renewal Scheme Ballinaclash Community Centre enhancements €39,600
Town & Village Renewal Scheme Donard The renovation and enhancement of Donard local Community Hall. €26,100
Town & Village Renewal Scheme Ballinaclash The renovation of Ballinaclash Community Hall to provide remote working facilities and community hub for the area. €63,000
Town & Village Renewal Scheme Blessington To kit-out a vacant building in the town centre in order to create a community and youth space. €36,000
Town & Village Renewal Scheme Ashford The purchase of a building to develop as a Community Centre €200,000
Town & Village Renewal Scheme Kirikee Glenmalure Refurbishment of Kirikee Community Hall, to include the renovation of the roof and windows, remedial work on damp in ceilings and walls, insulation and sealing of roof and walls. €250,000
Town & Village Renewal Scheme Lacken The proposed project is to renovate the old schoolhouse, built in 1869, so it can continue to be used as a community centre €250,000

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