Minister Joe O’Brien announces details of €5m funding for Community Centres

Joe O’Brien TD, Minister of State for Community Development and Charities at the Department of Rural and Community Development, today announced details of €5m funding for community centres and facilities under the July stimulus package.

The funding will be provided under the Community Enhancement Programme, and is in addition to €2m provided under that programme earlier this year.

Minister O’Brien said:

“This €5m funding will provide capital grants to help improve community centres, and other community buildings and facilities.  These important facilities operate at the heart of each community.  They provide activities and services that help strengthen the bonds that tie communities together and they provide valuable services to the people in their area.”

The new fund seeks to stimulate local economies by providing capital grants towards the maintenance, improvement and upkeep of community centres, and community buildings. Similar expenditure on other community facilities will also be allowed.

Minister O’Brien noted that:

“This €5m funding will be administered through existing structures that are in place under the Department’s Community Enhancement Programme. Funding will be allocated to each Local Authority area, and the Local Community Development Committee will administer the programme in each area. This ensures that decisions are made locally to best reflect the needs in a given area.”

This funding will assist community groups by enabling them to develop their facilities during this difficult time. It complements other funding announced recently by the Department, such as an additional €10m funding for the Town and Village Renewal scheme under the Government’s July stimulus package, previous funding of €2m under the Community Enhancement Programme, and the €35m COVID-19 Stability Fund.

In order to allow flexibility, the Department is not setting a national closing date, but will allow each LCDC to set its own, to best suit its area. The Department will require that all closing dates are no later than end October 2020. Groups should check with their local LCDC for further details.