Government announces €30 million funding for communities

The Minister for Rural and Community Development has announced funding of 30 million euros to build 12 new community centres across the country.

Heather Humphreys made the announcement in Galway City this morning at Newcastle Community Centre which is to receive €4.3 million.

A second Galway grant of €6 million has been allocated to Moycullen village, 10km northwest of Galway City.

The successful community centre projects will receive capital grants of between €1 million and €6 million to build multi-functional centres in areas that currently lack community facilities.

Other projects being funded under today’s announcement include:

• Tullow Road Community Hub, Carlow Town which was allocated funding of €4,135,178
• Ballymote Community Centre, Co. Sligo was approved €2,650,991 under the fund.
• Kilcloon Community Centre, Co. Meath will receive €1,915,000.
• The Community Centres Investment Fund – New Build was launched in March 2023 to provide investment for new community projects in towns and villages across Ireland.
• Rylane Community Centre Cork – 1,595,574 euros
• Ballina Scouting Den and Community Centre Mayo North East – 1,152,193 euros
• Rockcorry Community Centre Monaghan – 2,667,785
• Moneygall Community Centre Offaly – 1,407,660
• Kilglass Community Centre Sligo – 1,163,710
• Ballymitty Community Development Wexford – 1,398,035
• Riverchapel Community Centre Wexford – 1,797,919

Making the announcement, Minister Humphreys said:

“I am delighted today to announce details of the successful projects under the Community Centre Investment Fund 2023. When I launched this fund last year with a €20M allocation, I expected to approve 5 or 6 projects. Taking account of the quality of the applications and the identified needs, I am today approving funding for 12 of the applications received with funding of over €30m.

This funding will assist community groups striving to build their own community centre to service local needs and the level of interest has shown that these centres, when complete, will be the heart of many a community.” Minister Humphreys concluded.

It’s the first time in the history of the State that a dedicated fund has been set up to deliver new-build community centres in Rural Ireland.

The funding, which was launched in 2023 to provide investment for new and ambitious community projects in towns and villages has to date provided funding of over €75 million.

The projects are all on brown or green field sites and have all the necessary planning and consents secured so they are already at an advanced stage and ready to commence following a tender process.

The centres range in size from single storey to two-storey buildings and will be located in rural and urban settings across nine counties.