Projects funded by my Department are generally delivered through a range of lead bodies, including local authorities and local development companies, who are responsible for the prioritisation of projects for submission to my department. This is based on their assessment of local need taking account of matters such as those raised by the Deputy including population change and levels of existing amenities. These bodies have on-the-ground knowledge and expertise in relation to local needs and priorities, and this approach thus works to ensure effective targeting of investment.
My Department continues to provide substantial investment to address the needs of towns and villages across Ireland, including in county Cork.
For example, since 2020 under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, over €7.5 million in funding has been allocated to 60 projects in County Cork. This includes funding of €1.4 million for 8 projects announced under the most recent funding allocations in December 2025.
The Town Centre First (TCF) Policy is also providing local authorities and local communities the opportunity to address the challenges facing selected towns, including identifying amenities and infrastructure required. In support of this policy, my Department has allocated €259,000 funding to Cork across Town Centre First funding supports. This includes funding for the development of TCF Town Plans in Skibbereen and Kanturk. Funding has also been provided to support the development of Town Teams in Macroom, Bantry and Mitchelstown.
My Department implements a wide range of other schemes that have supported thousands of capital projects nationwide in recent years, including the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS), the Community Recognition Fund (CRF), LEADER, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) and the Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF).
Taking LEADER as an example, LEADER funding of €20.9 million has been allocated to rural areas in County Cork for the period from 2021 to 2027 for use within all rural communities including towns such as those mentioned by the Deputy.
Refurbishment projects under the Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF) differ from other schemes in that applications are submitted directly by community groups to my department for assessment and approval. The assessment criteria for the scheme, which is set out in the scheme outline, includes a consideration of need, demand and impact. Over €10.8 million has been allocated to 190 projects in county Cork in the same period.
Details of these programmes can be found on my department's website.
For the Deputys's information, the following table details of projects supported in Midleton and Carrigtwohill in the last 5 years through LEADER, CRF, CCIF and ORIS.
|
Scheme
|
Year
|
Project Name
|
Location
|
Funding Amount Approved
|
|
ORIS
|
2024
|
Slatty Pond - direct pedestrian link from town centre to Slatty Pond.
|
Carrigtwohill
|
€30,000
|
|
CRF
|
2023
|
Midleton FC - Facilities Upgrade
|
Midleton
|
€5,000.00
|
|
CRF
|
2024
|
Walking Trail Park South Midleton
|
Midleton
|
€50,000.00
|
|
CRF
|
2024
|
Walking Trail Park South Midleton
|
Midleton
|
€50,000.00
|
|
CCIF
|
2022
|
Midleton My Place Community Centre - First Floor Extension
|
Midleton
|
€300,000.00
|
|
CCIF
|
2024
|
Midleton Rugby Football Club - Club House & Hall Renovations
|
Midleton
|
€40,000.00
|
|
LEADER
|
2024
|
Midleton My Place CLG
|
Midleton
|
€111,000.00
|
|
LEADER
|
2022
|
Midleton Men’s Shed workshop
|
Midleton
|
€36,000.00
|
|
LEADER
|
2024
|
Carrigtwohill Community Council CLG
|
Carrigtwohill
|
€182,000.00
|
