Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 9 September 2024
2027. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide the full list of applicants and successful applicants who submitted applications under the community recognition fund 2024 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34256/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Community Recognition Fund was first introduced in 2023 to recognise the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland.
Through the 2023 allocation, funding of €50 million was approved for some 900 projects in providing support to cities, towns and villages nationwide who have welcomed people from Ukraine and other countries. To further support communities, I was delighted to announced a further €50 million in funding under the Community Recognition Fund on March 15th last.
The additional funding is specifically targeted at projects which are located in cities, towns and villages who are hosting the Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and/or International Protection Applicants.
Applications under the current round of funding can be submitted by local authorities across three phases, so as to allow flexibility and adequate engagement and collaboration on larger projects. The phased closing dates for receipt of applications are May 31st, September 30th and January 31st, 2025.
Under this new round of funding, Laois local authority have been awarded funding of €1,012,996 which brings the total funding provided to Laois County Council under the Community Recognition Fund to over €2 million.
Local authorities are required to engage and collaborate with communities to identify the most appropriate projects for support. It is a matter for each local authority to identify the most appropriate locations for funding based on their analysis of the level of arrivals in each location and in the context of previous funding supports and local needs.
In August 2024, I was delighted to announce funding of €16.5 million to deliver 185 projects around the country under window 1. All projects from Laois County Council that were submitted to my Department have been approved under window 1 which can be viewed in the table below. A list of all 185 successful projects can be found on my Departments website: www.gov.ie/en/service/e626a-community-recognition-fund-2023/
I look forward to seeing the positive impact that this funding will have on the ground in communities all across Ireland.
Community Recognition Fund 2024 Approvals - Laois
|
Location |
Lead Applicant |
Project Description |
Funding Approved |
|
Portlaoise |
Laois County Council - St. Marys Hall Portlaoise |
St. Mary's Sports Hall - Works on Roof |
€150,000 |
|
Rathdowney |
Laois County Council |
Necessary Works at Clochar Community Centre to include: Development of outdoor terrace to create an event space for groups - Development of Outdoor Equipment Storage facilities for Community Groups - Painting of Building |
€65,000 |
|
Ballylinan |
Ballylinan GAA |
Development of a Community Walking Track |
€70,000 |
|
Mountmellick |
Laois County Council |
Land acquisition for community use |
€100,000 |
|
|
|
|
€385,000 |
