Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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652. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding streams available for community groups to apply for that would support social activities in rural communities, for example, a weekly dance that rents space from a local hotel. [39982/24]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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My Department delivers a wide range of strategic interventions, funding programmes and policies to support both urban and rural communities, empowering them to realise their potential as thriving place to live, work and visit.

Improving community infrastructure is a key part of my Department’s work, and investment through the Community Centre Investment Fund, the LEADER Programme, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, have all helped improve community spaces for groups to operate from and hold events in.

I know that every community needs accessible spaces for social and recreational activities at affordable costs, which is why since 2022, I have allocated over €95 million under the Community Centre Investment Fund.

This is the largest ever capital investment in community centres in Ireland. The funding provides grants for new builds along with improvement and refurbishment works to existing community centres and improved access for people with disabilities. These community and recreation centres provide places for communities to use and enjoy with meeting rooms, sports halls and other amenities and services that can include weekly dance events.

With regard to smaller scale supports for local groups, the Local Enhancement Programme, which is administered by the local authorities, on behalf of my Department, would be a potential avenue for support.

In that context I would encourage all such groups to engage with their Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), Local Development Companies and Public Participation Networks (PPN) to ensure they are aware of funding opportunities as they become available.

Furthermore, the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) provides funding to promote social inclusion and support disadvantaged communities. SICAP is managed at a local level by the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), allowing flexibility to adapt actions to local need to improve people’s lives and strengthen communities.

I encourage community groups make contact with their relevant SICAP implementer, who will be well placed to advise on local funding and other supports they may avail of. A full list of SICAP Programme Implementers is available at the following link: www.pobal.ie/app/uploads/2018/06/SICAP-Programme-Implementer-Contact-List-2024-2.pdf.

I would also encourage all groups to visit my department’s website www.gov.ie/drcd to ensure they are aware of funding opportunities as they become available.