Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 February 2026
47. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the steps his Department is taking to support the development of community spaces in Cork north central; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8278/26]
View answerMy department provides a range of schemes which support the development of community spaces nationwide, including in Cork North Central.
The Community Centre Investment Fund was introduced to provide high quality, accessible, community spaces that are available to all groups in 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. County Cork has been allocated over €10.7 million for 189 projects under the fund. For example, Rylane was allocated over €1.8 million under the 2023 new build measure and Firmount Community Centre received almost €137,000 for upgrade and refurbishment works.
The LEADER programme provides support to rural communities and has for many years supported community facilities, with funding available under themes such as rural infrastructure and social inclusion. County Cork has an allocation of almost €16.8 million under the 2023-2027 LEADER programme to cover a range of projects in the county. In Cork North Central, for example, Whitechurch & Waterloo Community Association were approved for LEADER funding of over €50,000 for the development of an outdoor multisports area.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) supports the revitalisation of rural towns and villages across Ireland by providing funding to initiatives designed to rejuvenate town centres, including projects to develop multipurpose community spaces. Since the launch of the scheme, over €210 million has been allocated to more than 1,900 projects across Ireland. Successful projects under the 2025 TVRS were announced on 22 December last year and this included 8 projects valued at almost €1.4 million in County Cork.
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) seeks to support large-scale, ambitious projects that can achieve sustainable economic and social development in rural areas and can provide funding towards projects that support the provision of community facilities. To date, the RRDF has allocated over €613 million for 273 projects across Ireland. Over €2.1 million has been provided to four Category 2 projects across County Cork, including one project in Cork North Central, and over €24.7 million to six larger Category 1 projects based across County Cork, all of which include community facilities. I have signalled my intention to launch an RRDF Category 1 RRDF Call for Proposals for large projects in the near future.
The Local Enhancement Programme is targeted towards supporting communities that are impacted by disadvantage, as identified in the Local Economic and Community Plan of the relevant local authority. It provides small capital grants to community and voluntary groups for the improvement/refurbishment of their facilities and/or the purchase of equipment.
The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme provides funding for new outdoor recreational infrastructure and for the necessary repair, enhancement or promotion of existing outdoor recreation infrastructure in countryside areas across Ireland.
Further details in respect of the schemes above can be found on my Department's website.
