Written Answers Nos. 875-894
875. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to detail the work of his Department on achieving a greater gender balance in apprenticeships; the take-up of the supports to help achieve a better balance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13382/25]
View answerA key pillar of this department's Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 focusses on ensuring that the apprenticeship population more closely reflects the profile of the general population, which includes improving gender balance.
As part of the implementation of the Action Plan for Apprenticeship, a €2,666 grant was made available to employers from January 2022 of any national apprenticeship programme with a greater than 80% representation of a single gender who employ apprentices on the under-represented gender.
In 2024 and 2025, 47 of the 77 apprenticeship programmes available qualified for the gender bursary, all but one of which were in relation to females, with the exception being in Hairdressing, in which males qualify.
My Department also launched the Building Heroes social media campaign in 2024 which was aimed at dispelling the myths surrounding careers in construction and encouraging female participation, reaching more than 3.5 million people.
The National Apprenticeship Office has been promoting female participation though the Facts, Faces, Futures campaign, which launched in 2023. This aims to increase the number of women in craft apprenticeships through engaging directly with all girls’ schools around the country. Facts, Faces, Futures is ongoing, with fresh impetus added each year as more apprenticeship programmes are added.
As a direct result of all of these actions, female registration figures for apprenticeships have increased significantly. As of end-February 2025, there are 2,603 female apprentices, approximately 9% of the overall apprentice population, a 70% increase since the end of 2021, the year the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 was launched.
876. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the work of his Department with stakeholders regarding the use and adoption of modern methods of construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13383/25]
View answerI wish to thank the Deputy for her question, and the opportunity to inform the House about the work my Department is undertaking with sectoral partners to advance the use of modern methods of construction, or MMC.
Greater adoption of MMC, an umbrella term for a range of innovative construction processes, is a key pillar of the Government’s approach to increasing innovation and increasing housing productivity.
The October 2024 report An Update to the Report on the Analysis of Skills for Residential Construction and Retrofitting estimates that 10,000 fewer new entrants will be required in the sector if there is a widespread adoption of MMC. Ireland will need almost 69,000 new entrants, compared to almost 79,000 if we continue using more traditional building methods.
Advancing MMC is a key commitment in the Programme for Government and my Department works with sectoral partners such as SOLAS, Education and Training Boards (ETBs), the National Construction Training Centre (NCTC), and Skillnet Ireland to increase MMC skills supply across the tertiary system.
Upskilling and reskilling workers is a priority for the construction industry and the sector is being supported to ensure the workforce has the appropriate skills to increase MMC adoption. €2.7m was allocated to construction skills in Budget 2025.
My Department is collaborating with the NCTC, managed by Laois–Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB), to increase MMC skills provision. In February 2025, LOETB launched its MMC Skills Pathway Portfolio. With a comprehensive suite of accredited courses, flexible online learning options, and a pipeline of new qualifications, LOETB and the NCTC are ensuring that Ireland’s workforce develops MMC skills and expertise.
A National Demonstration Park for MMC is a key deliverable in Housing for All and is being developed at the NCTC. This will provide an accessible flagship location for MMC demonstration and specialist training. Construction on the Park will begin this year.
The Department is also partnering with Skillnet Ireland to develop the ‘Skillnet MMC Accelerate’ online platform. This resource will highlight MMC projects, career pathways and education and training provision. Since September 2024, a series of regional events have been held to promote the platform and to drive and promote MMC to the sector.
The adoption of MMC is also an inter-departmental endeavour and my Department is represented on the MMC Leadership & Integration Group chaired by DETE, as well as the Timber in Construction Steering Group chaired by DECC.
Wider stakeholder collaboration is also vital. In July 2024, the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) published a report which identifies projected future MMC skills requirements in Ireland. In response, the Department is developing an action plan for MMC, which is due to be published shortly and is based on extensive consultations with industry representatives, training providers, Departments, and agencies. The comprehensive action plan will support the transition to MMC by adapting the skills of existing, and training new, workers across the supply chain.
As part of its stakeholder collaboration process, the Department also held a workshop in March 2025 to hear directly from small - and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) about what supports would encourage them to adopt MMC. This workshop is informing what the Department can do in formulating a policy response to further assist SMEs.
My Department is also working to increase the number of people employed in the construction sector by highlighting diverse career opportunities, including new and emerging careers through MMC. A range of promotional activities includes:
• the Building Heroes peer-to-peer social media campaign, which has been viewed by 3.5m people to date. One of the Building Heroes is an MMC Quality Assurance technician;
• a Careers in Construction documentary which has been distributed to second-level schools. One of the three participants works in the MMC space;
• a documentary on MMC which is close to completion and will highlight the role MMC can play in tackling challenges around housing;
• An MMC Building Heroes documentary is to be developed which will showcase careers in MMC.
With the Government’s policy commitments and the various initiatives provided by my Department and its partners, there are clear pathways to the adoption of MMC.
I would once again like to thank the Deputy for her question and for her interest in my Department’s work to advance MMC skills across Ireland through working with our important partners.
877. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on a project (details supplied), its location, tendering and timeline for commencement of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13475/25]
View answerWith regard to the particular project which the Deputy has referred to, this is not an area in which my Department has a role. The University of Galway is an autonomous institution within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997. Under this legislation, it is academically and administratively independent and is entitled to regulate its own affairs and administrative processes.
As such, as neither I nor my Department have a role in these internal processes, I am unable to assist the Deputy on this occasion.
878. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide a list of regulatory, appeal or other bodies, either funded by or under the remit of his Department, which are quasi-judicial in nature. [13576/25]
View answerMy Department oversees two bodies which have independent decision-making responsibilities. Below, is a list of the two bodies under my Department's remit which are quasi-judicial in nature:
• Student Grant Appeals Board - This is an independent appeals board created under the Student Support Act, 2011.
• The Higher Education Authority - This is a quasi-judicial decision making body for the purposes of Pension Appeals from Higher Education Bodies pursuant to Schedule 5 of the Universities Act, 1997 (as amended).
879. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of an issue relating to the communication between Solas and TU Dublin which has delayed at least one apprentice in qualifying for their craft certification; and the measures that will be taken to rectify this and prevent its reoccurrence for other much needed tradespeople. [13776/25]
View answerSOLAS has investigated this matter and advised that an IT system blockage has resulted in issues with the release of results for apprentices within one specific group. SOLAS advise that it is prioritising the removal of this system blockage and anticipates a release of results for all affected apprentices by the end of March.
880. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he visited the University of Delhi during his visit to India for St. Patrick's Day events. [13848/25]
View answerThe Minister did not visit the University of Delhi during his recent visit to India.
881. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps that are being taken to increase the teaching through the Irish language in third level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13955/25]
View answer883. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to detail which courses are currently taught through the Irish language across the university sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13957/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 881 and 883 together.
Our higher education system plays an important role in supporting and promoting the use of the Irish language.
The Higher Education Authority Act 2022 highlights the importance of Irish by placing a responsibility on the Higher Education Authority (HEA) to ensure that higher education institutions (HEIs) promote and use the language. My Department, through the HEA, also provides ring-fenced funding to this end. However, it should be noted that HEIs are autonomous in their Irish language strategies, including the provision and expansion of university courses offered through the Irish language.
The HEA estimates that there are approximately 70 programmes offered through higher education where the Irish language is studied. However, the HEA does not currently maintain a record of the number of courses provided through the medium of Irish. Officials in my Department have engaged with the HEA and requested that they review available data to gather this information. Once established, my officials will write to the Deputy with the relevant details.
Regarding funding, €900,000 is provided annually by my Department to support greater use of the Irish language by students and staff in our HEIs. This funding is allocated through the HEA as block grants, allowing institutions fund their own Irish-language initiatives. The HEA also distributes additional funding from my Department and the Department of the Gaeltacht for other initiatives, including the development of Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge at the University of Galway, with almost €1.8 million annually coming from my Department's budget. Additionally, the HEA sponsors the Gníomhaí Gaeilge initiative and has provided €150,000 in funding over the last three years to develop Irish language skills among students in Irish language clubs and societies through mentorship and training, in partnership with the Union of Students in Ireland and Conradh na Gaeilge. Through these various funding initiatives, my Department and the HEA are committed to ensuring that higher education institutions have the resources and autonomy to integrate the Irish language into their offerings and campus life. By fostering an environment where Irish is actively used and promoted, we can strengthen its role in the public sphere and contribute to its long-term sustainability.
882. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what dealings his Department has had with Coleg Cymraeg; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13956/25]
View answerMy Department has had no dealings to date with Coleg Cymraeg.
884. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the percentage of social media video accessible, such as providing the information or activities posted on each of his Department’s social media accounts, or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under its remit, including closed captioning and subtitling and Irish Sign Language translations, between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024, inclusive. [14053/25]
View answerIt is the policy of my department to include closed captioning on videos. All videos posted on the Department's social media accounts from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024 are captioned. None include ISL interpretation.
The information in respect of the state bodies within the scope of the Deputy’s question, is not held by my department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the following table should the Deputy wish to contact them directly with his query.
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Contact E-Mail Addresses for State Bodies under the Remit of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science |
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Name of Body |
Dedicated Email address for the Members of the Oireachtas |
Designated Official Responsible for assisting Oireachtas Members |
|
Higher Education Authority |
Oireachtas@hea.ie |
Padraic Mellett* |
|
Grangegorman Development Agency |
Communications@ggda.ie |
nora.rahill@ggda.ie |
|
SOLAS |
oireachtasinfo@solas.ie |
Maria Walsh maria.walshe@solas.ie |
|
Skillnets Ireland |
oireachtasmembers@skillnetireland.ie |
tracey.donnery@skillnetireland.ie |
|
Quality and Qualifications Ireland |
ceo@qqi.ie |
ceo@qqi.ie |
|
Léargas – The Exchange Bureau |
oireachtas@leargas.ie |
fbroughan@leargas.ie |
|
Research Ireland |
oireachtasqueries@researchireland.ie |
Donna McCabe |
885. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures he is taking to address the shortage of tutors for phase 6 pipefitting apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14090/25]
View answer886. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of pipefitting apprentices currently affected by the delays and expense of extended studies due to only one tutor operating at phase 6 level in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14091/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 885 and 886 together.
Pipefitting is a craft apprenticeship programme that takes four years to complete, with off-the-job training phases delivered through Education Training Boards (ETBs) and Technological Universities (TUs).
Munster Technological University (MTU) is currently the sole provider of phase 6 off-the-job training for pipefitting at its Bishopstown campus.
At the end of February 2025 there were 414 pipefitting apprentices nationally, of which two were waiting for phase 6 off-the-job training.
SOLAS have advised that these two apprentices completed their phase 5 on-the-job training within the last four to five weeks, at which point they joined the national waiting list for phase 6 training, and that these apprentices are not currently delayed in their training.
In response to increased demand, MTU has boosted its capacity to deliver phase 6 pipefitting training from 32 places in 2019 to 48 in 2024.
In 2024 a small team of lecturers equating to two - three whole time equivalents delivered three intakes of pipefitting training with 16 apprentices in each intake.
In 2025 there is capacity to continue delivering 48 pipefitting phase 6 training places.
MTU are actively working with SOLAS to monitor training capacity and ensure sufficient supply of apprenticeship training places.
887. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the budgetary amount allocated to the provision of a range of free, adequate, safe and suitable period products in all educational publicly funded settings including colleges and higher education institutes for 2025; if the service will be continue to be funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14778/25]
View answerFunding of €500,000 was provided in May 2024 to support Higher Education and Further Education institutions in their efforts to ensure period dignity within their settings, by my Department.
This seed funding was provided to assist with efforts in provision of free sustainable period products and dispensers and the impact of that funding will continue to be monitored, including via engagement with the HEA (Higher Education Authority).
The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) has also worked collaboratively with the Department of Health and other stakeholders on the development of a draw-down contract for the provision of period products in education establishments and other public institutions. The Office of Government Procurement (OGP) Cleaning, Paper, Personal Hygiene & Period Equality products Procurement Framework commenced on 1st June 2023 and can be accessed by public bodies through the Buyer Zone on the OGP website.
The DFHERIS will continue to engage in whole of government efforts to ensure period dignity including the Department of Health led-efforts for 2025, such as work to progress a period dignity support programme focused on Travellers, Roma and other groups of people experiencing significant need, and directly funding Local Authorities and NGOs for work progressing period poverty initiatives.
888. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when his Department will give permission for Kerry County Council to tender for the courthouse in Killorglin under the rural regeneration fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13298/25]
View answerThe Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) provides funding for the development and construction of large scale capital projects in towns, villages and rural areas across Ireland. Funding is allocated to local authorities and other State-funded bodies, who take the lead role in individual projects.
I can confirm that in September 2024, Kerry County Council was granted Approval in Principle for Category 1 RRDF funding up to a maximum amount of €672,000 for the Killorglin Town Centre SMART Rural Regeneration project. Local authorities delivering projects approved under the RRDF are in receipt of Exchequer funding. As such, they are subject to the requirements related to public spending on capital projects which are detailed in the Department of Public Expenditure NDP Deliver and Reform’s ‘Infrastructure Guidelines’. This is to ensure provide a greater capacity to deliver projects on time and in a manner that ensures value for money.
I can confirm that on the 5th March last, Kerry County Council confirmed that members of the Council had approved Part 8 planning for the renovation of Killoglin Courthouse building on the 26th of January 2024. In in line with RRDF spending requirements, the Council has requested pre-tender approval to progress with an initial stage of works approved for funding under the project. My officials are currently engaging with the Council and reviewing this submission with a view to issuing a decision on the request shortly. This is in line with the standard procedures for managing the funding of projects under the RRDF.
889. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will report on the visit of the Minister of State with special responsibility for community development, charities, the Gaeltacht and the islands to New Zealand for St. Patrick's Day; the meetings he attended, the issues that were discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13400/25]
View answerThe period around Saint Patrick's Day provides a unique opportunity to promote Ireland around the world, connect with the 70 million people around the world of Irish descent, and celebrate Ireland’s international connections and partnerships.
As part of the Government’s programme of international travel for Saint Patrick's Day, Minister Jerry Buttimer travelled to New Zealand to represent the Government. The programme took place over 10 days, and included 32 events based around economic, cultural, community and political engagements in Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland.
Events included the Auckland Arts Festival, in partnership with Tourism Ireland, where Minister Buttimer attended a play reading of Brian Friel’s Translations in Te Reo Maori, Aotea Centre - Nga Whakamaoritanga. He also met with the vibrant Irish diaspora when he visited The Hutt Valley Irish Society in Wellington, the St. Patrick’s Day Community Day in Auckland Irish Club and St. Patrick’s Day Community Reception in Christchurch.
He attended the 10th Edition of the New Zealand Rural Games in Palmerston North were he was greeted by Minister Mark Patterson MP, Minister for Rural Communities and Associate Minister for Agriculture along with Minister Todd McClay, Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Forestry, Minister for Trade and Investment and Associated Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister Andrew Hoggard MP, Minister for Biosecurity and Food Safety and the Associate Minister of Agriculture (Animal Welfare, Skills) and for the Environment.
In addition to such events, he also had a number of bilateral meetings. This included meeting Minister Tama Potaka, Minister for Conservation, Maori Development and Minister Louise Upston, Minister for the Community & Voluntary Sector. He also attended the Speaker lunch in New Zealand Parliament. He met with Maori Business leaders and visited the Maoriland Hub (Centre of Maori Film and Arts Excellence), where he met Maori animators taking part in an Indigenous Language Exchange between Screen Wellington and Galway City of Film.
He also participated in 6 State agency engagements where he attended Enterprise Ireland Business Advisory Network in Auckland, who were celebrating 10 years in existence and he also attended a Networking event with Irish Business Network of New Zealand (IBNNZ) of the Christchurch Chapter.
With the visit now concluded, he will be working hard with those he met, in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland and Tourism Ireland, to further develop trade opportunities and the links between our two countries.
890. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the discussions his Department officials have had with officials from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage or the Land Development Agency regarding the funding of community facilities and spaces in proposed housing or community regeneration schemes in the Dublin 8, 10 and 12 areas. [13432/25]
View answerMy Department supports community facilities and spaces across the country through a range of interventions, particularly the Community Centre investment Fund, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Community Recognition Fund and the LEADER programme.
Based on information provided to my officials by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, I understand that local authority development plans will stipulate what is required for housing or community regeneration schemes based on community and social audit and other development plan requirements.
In Dublin City Council for example, developments of 50 units or more require a community and social audit to assess the provision of community facilities and infrastructure within the vicinity of the site and identify whether there is a need to provide additional facilities to cater for the proposed development.
The Dublin City Council Development Plan also stipulates that large scale developments above 10,000 sq. m. in total area must provide at a minimum for 5% community, arts and culture spaces including exhibition, performance, and artist workspaces.
Certain developments such as those targeted to older persons or those within regeneration areas may request additional community facilities in order to support the management and functioning of the facility.
The local authority must make a case for the additional requirement which will be considered by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. In proposing these facilities, the local authority must give consideration to how these facilities are owned, managed, maintained and optimally used over time.
891. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the discussions or communications had between his Department and Dublin City Council regarding the lack of community halls in Dublin's Liberties, given that one hall has been a homeless shelter for nearly ten years and another has sat vacant since a fire damaged it nearly five years ago. [13433/25]
View answerMy Department provides a range of financial supports to communities across a broad suite of programmes, and many of these programmes have provided important supports to community halls across the country in recent years.
Under the Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF), my Department has provided funding of over €4.5 million towards the refurbishment of 66 community halls within the Dublin City region since 2022. I am committed to ensuring this becomes a permanent rolling fund as outlined in the Programme for Government.
Under the Community Recognition Fund (CRF), almost €2 million has also been approved to date in the Dublin City region to support enhancement and refurbishment work on 14 community facilities. Officials in my Department have liaised with Dublin City Council and continue to do so in relation to the selection and delivery of projects under the CRF.
892. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the supports offered for upgrading and maintenance of playground facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13438/25]
View answerApplications for the delivery and upgrade of playgrounds are welcome under a number of schemes operated by my Department such as the CLÁR Programme, the LEADER programme, and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
The CLÁR programme provides funding for small-scale projects in rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population. It supports a wide range of community facilities and amenities, including playgrounds. I hope to launch the 2025 programme in the coming weeks.
The LEADER Programme provides support to rural communities under a broad range of themes. The decision to approve a project for LEADER funding is a matter for the Local Action Groups (LAGs) who administer the Programme on behalf of the Department. Prospective applicants can contact the LAG in their area to discuss potential projects.
The 2025 Town and Village Renewal Scheme, which I launched on 19 March, is designed to support the revitalisation of rural Ireland by focusing on stimulating town centre economic and social regeneration. This includes the development of recreational spaces/amenities, such as playgrounds in town centres. Applications are now invited from Local Authorities for projects in their areas.
Further information on all of these schemes is available on my Department's website.
The Deputy may also wish to contact my colleague, Norma Foley, Minister for Children, Disability and Equality in respect of the Capital Grant Scheme for Play and Recreation delivered by her Department.
893. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development for an outline of all grant schemes offered and or issued to community and rural groups by his Department from 2021 to year end 2025, including opening, closing and award dates, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13446/25]
View answerMy Department operates a large number of grant schemes that are available to community and rural groups throughout the country. These schemes include LEADER, the Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF), the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS), the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS), CLÁR, the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) and the Community Services Programme (CSP). Full information on these and other schemes, including the opening and closing dates for active calls, are made available on the Departments website, at www.gov.ie/en/service/c5849b-rural-funding/.
Information on the projects approved to date under our schemes, in tabular form, is also available at the above link. My Department also issues press releases for all calls and funding announcements on the relevant dates, which are also available on our website.
Over the period 2021 to 2024 my Department has allocated over €1.5 billion for rural and community development projects and initiatives. I look forward to the continued positive impact of our schemes for communities right across the country, and I would encourage all groups to check my Department’s website www.gov.ie/drcd, and to engage with their Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), Local Development Companies and Public Participation Networks (PPN), to ensure they are aware of funding opportunities as they become available.
894. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding available for the maintenance of community halls and theatres. [13459/25]
View answerMy Department has a number of capital programmes designed to support community groups with capital funding towards the renovation and upgrade of community halls and theatres.
The Community Centre Investment Fund provides funding towards capital costs for the refurbishment of community centres and other community facilities, such as theatres, that are open to and used by a broad range of groups. Under the 2024 iteration of the fund, over €33 million has been approved for works on over 770 projects nationwide
The CLÁR programme supports a wide range of community facilities and amenities, and the 2025 programme will be launched shortly. The LEADER Programme may fund community halls and theatres for costs associated with construction, refurbishment, machinery or equipment.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is designed to support the revitalisation and resilience of rural Ireland by focusing on stimulating town centre economic and social regeneration. Project supported under the scheme includes bringing vacant and derelict buildings such as community centres/halls back into use as community multi-purpose spaces through refurbishment and renovation. Applications are now invited from local authorities for projects in their areas. This scheme is currently open for applications.
The Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) provides funding to assist community groups across the country with particular focus on small capital works/improvements, and the purchase of equipment for community use. The LEP 2025 is now closed to applicants with details of successful projects expected to be announced in May.
Finally, the Community Recognition Fund has supported community facilities across the country since it was first introduced in 2023. This fund is currently closed to applications with announcements on successful projects under the third and final phase of the 2024 scheme due in the coming months.
Details of all of these programmes are available on my Department's website.
Organisations may also wish to contact their Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) to seek advice and support in respect of any funds available from the local authority towards the maintenance of community facilities, such as community halls and theatres.
