Thomas Gould
Question:110. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht for an update on the Ballyvolane Community Centre. [38216/26]
View answerThursday, 21 May 2026
Questions (110)
Written answers
The Community Centre Investment Fund, or CCIF, is my Department’s primary funding vehicle for new and existing community centres. It was first introduced in 2022 in recognition of the need for a dedicated funding stream to support investment in the hundreds of community facilities that are at the heart of both rural and urban communities.
My Department has delivered two rounds of funding for the refurbishment of community centres under CCIF in 2022 and 2024. In Cork alone, my department has provided more than €10.8 million for the enhancement, refurbishment and construction of 190 community centres.
In early 2024, funding of €30 million was approved under CCIF for the construction of 12 new facilities including Rylane Community Centre in Cork.
I was delighted to launch the latest round of funding under CCIF 2026 on the 26th March for enhancement and refurbishment of existing community facilities. The fund will be delivered across two categories with maximum funding levels of €25,000 and €100,000 respectively. The fund will open to online applications on 29th May and I will announce the successful projects before the end of the year.
The Deputy has raised the need for a new community centre in Ballyvolane previously. I expect to announce a new iteration of CCIF for new build community centres next year. I would encourage the Deputy, the local authority and the local community in Ballyvolane to work together to explore what is required with a view to developing an application under that scheme.