Thomas Gould
Ceist:2038. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if funding is available for a centre (details supplied). [63254/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 19 January 2022
Ceisteanna (2038)
Freagraí scríofa
My Department has a number of schemes that are relevant to community centres, an example is the Community Enhancement Programme. The programme provided €4.5m funding in 2021 for small capital grants for the improvement of facilities and it will be available again in 2022.
The COVID-19 Stability Fund 2021 was launched on Thursday 6th May 2021, and was targeted at organisations which deliver critical services to vulnerable people within their community but which faced closure or a loss of service due to the impact of the pandemic on their ability to fund-raise or generate income. I was pleased to award €13,890 to the organisation in question under the 2021 Stability Fund.
In November 2021, I launched the Community Activities Fund . This €9m fund also supports community and voluntary groups impacted by COVID-19. This once-off funding will support groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with their running costs, such as utility (Electricity, Heating charges) or insurance bills, as well as with improvements to their facilities. Groups will also be able to use the funding to carry out necessary repairs and to purchase equipment such as tables and chairs, tools and signage, laptops and printers, lawnmowers, canopies and training equipment.
This is currently being administered by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) in each Local Authority area, and I would advise the organisation in question to contact their local LCDC for further details.