Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD has today announced funding of €20 million for community centres across the country in 2023.
Under an enhanced Community Centres Investment Fund, grants will now be provided for the delivery of new build community centres in targeted areas as well as upgrades or improvement works to existing Community Centres.
The local Minister also revealed she has plans to make €20 million immediately available to support community groups impacted by the rising cost of living, with half of this targeted at assisting with energy costs.
Under Budget 2023, over €200 million in funding is available for the Department's Rural Development schemes such as Town and Village Renewal, LEADER and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.
In a statement to Northern Sound, Minister Humphreys said, "This week's Budget provides over €390 million in funding for rural communities the length and breadth of the country.
"I'm really pleased that the Budget contains significant funding for our community centres, which have been so important for people of all ages as we've reconnected coming out of Covid-19.
"€20 million in funding will be allocated next year to groups to carry out upgrades and refurbishments to their centres. Crucially this funding will also support the delivery of a new targeted scheme to support new build community centres.
"I also plan to make €20 million immediately available to support community groups impacted by the rising cost of living, with half of this targeted at assisting with energy costs. Details on this will be made available by my Department shortly.
"I'm delighted to announce this funding this week as Ireland hosts a major rural development conference in conjunction with the OECD.
"Ireland has been chosen to host this conference in recognition of our unique rural development policy, 'Our Rural Future', which is held up internationally as an example of how rural development policy should be implemented."
