Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 December 2025
32. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht his plans to increase capital investment under the Community Centres Investment Fund for community halls and voluntary groups in rural County Cork, particularly in areas experiencing population growth but limited facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67264/25]
View answerSince becoming Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, I have prioritised investment in community infrastructure. As part of Budget 2026, I was delighted to announce increased funding for the programmes that are delivering on this priority. This includes an increase in the annual budget for the Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF) by €3 million to €20 million.
The CCIF was introduced to provide high quality, accessible, community spaces that are available to all groups in all communities in both rural and urban areas. Some €110 million has been allocated since 2022 for the enhancement and refurbishment of existing community centres and the construction of new centres where such a need has been identified. Over €10.7 million has been allocated to almost 190 projects in county Cork in the same period.
I am delighted to confirm that only last Saturday, I turned the sod for construction to commence on a new community centre in Rylane which was allocated over €1.8 million in funding from my department under the CCIF 2023 new build.
I am committed to delivering further iterations of the fund in the coming years in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government for this to become a permanent rolling fund.
33. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Mairéad Farrell den Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht an míneoidh sé cén uair a bheidh na toghcháin do bhord Údarás na Gaeltachta ann; agus an bhfuil sé i gceist na toghcháin a reáchtáil in 2026. [68517/25]
View answer
