Tuesday, 11 March 2025
Minister Calleary announces over €26 million for improvement and refurbishment works on 369 community centres nationwide
• 369 community centres to receive funding of up to €100,000.
• Works include building renovations, enhanced amenities, accessibility measures and energy upgrades to help build resilience of communities.
· Community Centre Investment Fund to become a permanent rolling fund to upgrade, refurbish and build local community centres.
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, has today (March 11th, 2025) announced funding of €26.1 million under the 2024 Community Centre Investment Fund, which will deliver enhancement and refurbishment works on 369 community centres nationwide. In excess of €109 million has now been approved under the fund.
The successful community centre projects announced today will receive capital grants of up to €100,000 under category 2 of the fund. This builds on the recent approval in November of over €7.8 million for small scale refurbishment works of up to €25,000 on over 400 centres under category 1.
Included in the projects being funded under today’s announcement are:
· County Carlow – Rathoe Community Hall – €100,000 for kitchen installation, fire alarm system, emergency lighting, upgrade timber flooring and install new solar panels.
· County Donegal – Donegal Family Resource Community Centre – €100,000 for renovation and enhancement of the centre with improved accessibility.
· County Kerry – Cahirciveen Social Services Community Centre – €100,000 for the expansion of the existing facility through the renovation of the upstairs section of the building.
· County Laois – Clonaslee Community Centre – €100,000 for facility enhancement and refurbishment works.
· County Longford – Clonguish Community Hall – €89,076 to fund a new heating system and kitchen enhancements.
· County Mayo – Killala Community Centre – €100,000 for installation of an efficient gas heating system and mechanical ventilation system and new floor in the community centre.
· County Sligo – Banada Abbey Community Hall – €95,356 for the upgrade of a rural community hub and energy improvements.
· County Westmeath – Ballinahown Community Centre – €100,000 to fund essential maintenance of the roof of Ballinahown Community Centre.
Making the announcement, Minister Calleary said:
“The funding I am announcing today under the Community Centre Investment Fund will ensure that 369 communities across our cities, towns and villages will benefit from enhanced community facilities. This follows on from funding for over 400 facilities announced in November.
“Community Centres are the lifeblood of our communities. They play host to some of our most important occasions, in good times and in bad. Again in recent weeks we have seen the importance of these centres for their local communities as many of them became emergency hubs in the aftermath of storm Éowyn.
“The funding that my Department provides under the Community Centre Investment Fund will empower these communities to continue to provide that much needed communal space.
“Projects being funded today vary greatly depending on the needs identified by the various communities; some will see the fabric of their facilities improved through roof and insulation enhancements; others will see kitchen and toilet upgrades; while others will ensure their buildings are more accessible and energy efficient.
“Whatever improvement works are being completed, we can be sure that this funding is being targeted at the heart of communities, both rural and urban, and the results of these works will see our community facilities being more sustainable, enjoyable and accessible places.”
Speaking at the announcement today, Jerry Buttimer TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for Community Development and Charities, said:
“I have to commend the volunteers in each of these centres, who give up so generously of their time and skills for the good of their communities. I want to congratulate each of the successful committees receiving funding today and wish them well with their various projects.
“I welcome the Programme for Government commitment ensuring this scheme becomes a permanent rolling fund to upgrade, refurbish and build local community centres.”
The full list of community centres receiving funding is available here.
