Robert O'Donoghue (Dublin Fingal West, Labour)
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727. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the capital funding programmes under his Department, including the Community Centres Investment Fund, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and the LEADER Programme, that are open to applications from family resource centres seeking to acquire, construct, or refurbish permanent buildings; the typical levels of funding available; the application requirements for each scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67550/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The development and enhancement of multi-use community facilities is a priority for me and this Government. Full details of the supports available within my Department, including those for community centres, which may include family resource centres, can be accessed at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development/services/available-funding-and-supports/.

This information also outlines the eligibility criteria for each scheme. With respect to my department’s rural remit, this includes the geographic coverage of each scheme as well as type of organisations who can apply for funds.

The Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF), which is open to applications from within city areas, has provided €110 million since 2022 for the enhancement and refurbishment of existing community centres as well the construction of new centres. Under the 2024 iteration of the fund, over €33 million has now been approved to support refurbishment works on over 770 projects nationwide. Under CCIF, a community facility which provides a range of uses and services which are open to all of the community, and which may includes a family resource centre, may be eligible under the scheme.

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme provides of funding for projects designed to combat vacancy and dereliction and rejuvenate town and village centres. TVRS does not fund the construction of new community facilities but can include projects which renovate and refurbish multipurpose community spaces. Since its launch, almost €184 million has been allocated to over 1,800 projects across Ireland.

The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund is a major capital investment programme which seeks to support large-scale, ambitious projects which can achieve sustainable economic and social development in rural areas. Funding is made available under the scheme for community facilities. Funding is allocated to local authorities and other State-funded bodies who work in close co-operation with local communities and organisations to being projects forward. Since 2018, over €613 million has been allocated to 273 projects.

Finally, the development of community facilities can also be funded under the LEADER programme. The current LEADER Programme is operational across the country, with total funding of €180 million allocated across Local Action Groups at the start of the programming period to cover the years from 2023 to 2027. Depending on the nature of the project, Family Resource Centres can be eligible to apply for LEADER funding. Information on the programme is available on www.gov.ie/LEADER, and prospective applicants are advised to contact their Local Action Group for details on how to apply in their area.

I am committed to delivering further iterations of my department’s schemes in the coming years in line with the commitments made in the Programme for Government.