Micheál Carrigy (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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2641. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the reason a group (details supplied) did not score high enough to be successful under the community centres investment fund; the specific areas of the group's application where it lost marks or could have scored better; if the group's lease met the requirements of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21185/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Over €33 million has now been approved for in excess of 770 projects nationwide under the Community Centre Investment Fund 2024. 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 €45,000 for enhancement works on their facility. Following the appraisal the application did not score high enough to be successful on this occasion.

The appraisal noted that the application could have benefited from more detailed information in the areas of “governance” and “demonstration of need”.

Regarding the lease on the building, it is a requirement that an applicant owns or has a lease on the premises for a period of seven years after completion of the works. A copy of the lease should be provided at application stage. If the lease has not been provided at application stage and the project scores high enough to be funded, the applicant would be required to provide a copy of the lease as part of a pre-contract condition.

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.