Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 October 2025
119. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the measures being taken by his Department to support rural town and village communities to establish community centres or hubs where no land is currently available to build such facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55942/25]
View answerThe Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF) has provided approximately €110 million since 2022 for the enhancement and refurbishment of existing community centres and the construction of new centres.
I am committed to delivering further iterations of the scheme in the coming years in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government for this to become a permanent rolling fund. Funding for community centre works is also available through LEADER and the CLÁR programme.
In terms of the purchase of land, the Town & Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) Building or Land Acquisition Measure allows local authorities to purchase derelict or vacant buildings and/or land within eligible towns or villages. Buildings or land purchased under this measure must be for multi-purpose community future use. Local authorities have been informed of successful applications under this measure for 2025. The TVRS will be launched again next year.
Details of all schemes are available on my Department's website.
