Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 June 2026
543. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the plans that are in place in his Department to improve the funding and resourcing of community centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46268/26]
View answerMy Department’s Community Services Programme (CSP) currently supports 434 community-based organisations, including 84 organisations under the primary activity of Community Halls, Sports, and Resource Centres. The CSP Programme provides an annual co-funding contribution towards the employment of 55 manager positions and 331 FTE positions, with a total funding allocation of €36.772 million to these organisations over the Programme period i.e. 2023-2027.
On 30th March 2026, I announced an Open Call for Applications under the CSP Programme in line with a commitment made in the Programme for Government. The preliminary application window closed on 8th May. All applications received are currently going through an appraisal process, with the outcomes due to be notified to applicants by the end of July.
The Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) provides small capital grants to community and voluntary groups for the improvement/refurbishment of their facilities and/or the purchase of equipment. In general, support under the LEP Programme is available to, for example, Parish Halls, Community Centres, Local Development Associations, Social Clubs, Senior Citizen Groups, Men’s and Women’s Sheds.
The LEP is administered locally on behalf of my Department by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) across the country, with support from their local authority. Each LCDC is responsible for making decisions on the projects that are funded under the LEP Programme 2026. The 2026 programme is now closed for applications, and my Department is currently considering the potential for an LEP Programme for 2027.
Through the Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF), my Department has allocated some €112 million for the enhancement and refurbishment of existing community centres and the construction of new centres. The latest round of funding under CCIF 2026 was launched on 26th March and will remain open for applications until 13th July.
Details of all funding schemes are available at gov.ie - www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development-and-the-gaeltacht/services/available-funding-and-supports/ In addition, I would encourage all community and voluntary organisations to check my Department’s website at www.gov.ie/drcdg, and to engage with their LCDCs, LDCs and Public Participation Networks, to ensure they are aware of all existing funding opportunities.
