Community Development Projects

17. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht when a new funding phase will be announced for community centre building. [72878/26]

19. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to confirm the level of funding that has been made available for rural community groups for improvements to community centres in budget 2027; and if any funding will be made available for new builds in 2027. [72668/26]

23. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the current position regarding the community centre investment fund. [72969/26]

26. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht when he expects the community centre grants to be announced, given the benefit of such centres to rural communities. [72592/26]

We all know the value of community centres. That has never been in more stark relief than this week in Waterford in the wake of the horrific criminal incident that unfolded on Monday morning. We think of the victims of that horrible, murderous attack on a family home and we think of the two children who are still in hospital fighting for their lives. We have seen the response of the community. Myself, my colleague, Deputy Cullinane, and others were in that community on Monday and Tuesday and we saw the value of the response in the community centre. I want to pay tribute to those involved, including Ms Amy Maguire, who manages the centre, and her team. I also pay tribute to Buíon Phort Láirge, Barnardos, Brill FRC, and the Jigsaw service in Waterford, the local authority, and local councillors who have all been pulling together. It is really important to note the comments of the Taoiseach and the Minister's comments earlier today that supports will be made available but that needs to be followed up on in the weeks and months ahead as this community rallies.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 17, 19, 23 and 26 together. As I said earlier, we join with Deputies McGuinness and Cullinane and the community in expressing our condolences. Our thoughts and sympathies are with the families but also with the wider community. We made supports available through the Departments of Social Protection and of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht. I also thank all of the groups the Deputy mentioned. The leadership team at the community centre were out front and those supports continue to be available. I acknowledge those staff in my Department who were working yesterday. They worked to provide support to communities yesterday. A derogation was given by the unions and I want to acknowledge that and thank all involved. Our thoughts are with the community and as they work to rebuild, we will walk with them. Reply not given on the floor of the House My Department has invested substantial levels of funding in community centres in recent years and this investment is set to continue. While community infrastructure is supported through funds such as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the CLÁR programme, we now have a scheme dedicated solely for supporting community centres. The Community Centre Investment Fund, or CCIF, was introduced to support the provision of high-quality community facilities that are available to community groups in both urban and rural communities. Through the CCIF, some €112 million has been allocated for both the enhancement and refurbishment of existing community centres and the construction of new centres. Nearly all of the 861 projects approved under the first round of CCIF in 2022 for the refurbishment and enhancement of existing community centres have now been completed. The 2024 scheme also supported the enhancement and refurbishment of existing community centres. 788 projects were approved for funding and over half of these are now complete. The remaining projects are expected to progress to completion in the coming months. These two funding rounds combined are providing more than €80 million to over 1,600 refurbishment, renovation and upgrade projects in community centres across the country. These centres are the focal points for community activity in our cities, towns and villages. This investment is helping to ensure that community centres remain safe, inclusive and fit for purpose. It is being used to deliver interventions such as energy upgrades, accessibility improvements, building repairs and other investments to improve the overall functionality of these facilities. Alongside the focus on upgrade works, the 2023 iteration of the scheme was introduced specifically to support communities seeking to build a new community centre. It offered funding of up to €6 million for the construction of new facilities on either greenfield or brownfield sites. Through this fund, more than €30 million was allocated to support twelve new build community centres. Progress is being made across these new-build projects, with nine locations now at construction stage and the first of these centres expected to open in the coming months. Once completed, these new facilities will provide modern, accessible spaces for a wide range of local sport and recreation activities, social events and other services. By supporting both the refurbishment of existing facilities and the construction of new ones, the CCIF is strengthening community infrastructure and helping to create inclusive, resilient and sustainable communities nationwide. This year I have also allocated over €3 million to 31 local authorities to procure mobile generators under the heading of the CCIF. These 124 mobile generators will be available as a back-up power supply for community support centres that may be required in times of need such as extreme weather events. The centres can provide impacted people with a place to charge devices, obtain information, access Wi-Fi, and avail of refreshments and other basic services. The 4 generators in each local authority area can be moved to centres in affected areas based on need. As regards the broader scheme itself, I was delighted to launch another round of funding this year for the enhancement and refurbishment of existing community centres. The funding under CCIF 2026 is being delivered across two categories, with maximum funding levels of €25,000 and €100,000 respectively. I was pleased to introduce a number of simplifications to the scheme this year to aid those applying for funding. Potential applicants under the scheme were also assisted with information events and check-in clinics to address their queries and to support them in making an application. In total, over 900 people attended across more than 30 support events. The closing date for applications has passed and I can confirm that over 1,000 applications were received. These applications are now under assessment. I recognise that the announcement of successful projects is eagerly awaited by communities across the country and I have no doubt that the projects that are ultimately delivered will make a significant impact. I expect to announce the successful projects under category 1, which provides funding of up to €25,000, in the coming weeks. Approvals under Category 2 of the scheme, which provides funding of up to €100,000, is expected before the end of the year. I am committed to delivering further iterations of the CCIF in the coming years in line with the Programme for Government commitment to make this a permanent rolling fund. I have indicated previously that the 2027 scheme will focus on new-build community centres. The eligibility criteria and funding limits that will apply will be announced when the scheme is launched next year, with the projects being delivered and financed over the coming years. I would encourage all interested organisations and community groups to check my department’s website for information on future funding opportunities. Through continued investment in existing and new facilities, we can ensure that community centres remain at the heart of local life. They will continue to provide valuable spaces where people can meet, participate, learn, access services and work together to strengthen their communities.