Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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2612. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development following on from the recent Community Centre Investment Fund funding announcement, the reason a group (details supplied) were unsuccessful in their application; if there is an appeal process available to unsuccessful applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20208/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Community Centre Investment Fund has provided in excess of €109 million since 2022 for the enhancement and refurbishment of existing community centres and the construction of new centres.

Over €33 million has now been approved for in excess of 770 projects nationwide under the 2024 fund. However, given the very significant level of demand, not all applications were successful.

The facility referenced by the Deputy submitted an application under Category 2 of the 2024 fund seeking support of €95,000 for enhancement works on the facility. The application reached the minimum scoring threshold required to be eligible for consideration but did not score high enough to be successful on this occasion.

Correspondence has issued to all unsuccessful applicants. The community centre referred to by the Deputy is being offered an opportunity to avail of a feedback call which will clearly explain the basis for the decision and areas where the application can be strengthened.

There is also an opportunity to appeal the outcome of this application process and this will also be outlined during any feedback call.

I am committed to delivering further iterations of the scheme in the coming years in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government for this to become a permanent rolling fund.

In addition, all unsuccessful groups may wish to explore other potential funding options supported by my Department, including the LEADER programme, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the CLÁR programme. Details of these and other schemes are available on the Department’s website.

Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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2613. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development following on from the recent Community Centre Investment Fund funding announcement, the reason a group (details supplied) were unsuccessful in their application; if there is an appeal process available to unsuccessful applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20209/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Community Centre Investment Fund has provided in excess of €109 million since 2022 for the enhancement and refurbishment of existing community centres and the construction of new centres.

Over €33 million has now been approved for in excess of 770 projects nationwide under the 2024 fund. However, given the very significant level of demand, not all applications were successful.

The group referred to by the Deputy submitted an application under Category 2 of the 2024 fund seeking support of €86,028 to fund the renovation of the centre. The application reached the minimum scoring threshold required to be eligible for consideration but did not score high enough to be successful on this occasion.

Correspondence has issued to all unsuccessful applicants. The community centre referred to by the Deputy is being offered an opportunity to avail of a feedback call which will clearly explain the basis for the decision and areas where the application can be strengthened.

There is also an opportunity to appeal the outcome of this application process and this will also be outlined during any feedback call.

My Department is committed to delivering further iterations of the scheme in the coming years in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government for this to become a permanent rolling fund.

In addition, all unsuccessful groups may wish to explore other potential funding options supported by my Department, including the LEADER programme, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the CLÁR programme. Details of these and other schemes are available on the Department’s website.