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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation

Newcastle Community Hall funding

Summary

Deputy Mattie McGrath sought support for a funding shortfall and retendering difficulties at Newcastle Community Hall after costs rose. After some light banter about tea and the hall, the Taoiseach said 80% funding had been allocated and the situation would be kept under review with the local authority.

On this issue of community halls the Taoiseach addressed earlier, Newcastle Community Hall had an excellent submission for funding under urban and village renewal, under the stewardship of Ms Marian O'Dwyer. The hall got 80% funding in late 2018. The 20%, which was €35,000, then had to be made up. With sterling work and ingenuity the €35,000 has been raised. Now the dilemma is that because of the delay the group must retender the project. As the Taoiseach knows, thanks to many Government policies the cost of building material and works has escalated hugely, so there is still a shortfall. I raised this with the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Humphreys, before and she gave me no solace. The group raised the money itself, in the teeth of Covid, and it is a credit to them. However, now it is out to tender and the group is worried the prices coming back will probably be 30% to 40% above the original cost. We must support those communities. Ní neart go cur le chéile. The hall is there since 1973, since the late Bridie Coleman bought if off the vocational educational committee, VEC, and set up a community centre. Extra funding is needed for these facilities in order to have them for the community's use.

Comment on this

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. I think I was in that hall.

Comment on this

He was. I brought him in and gave him tea.

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I think the Deputy invited me, at that time.

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I did, and he agreed to come.

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The tea was very good.

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Did he drink it?

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I did.

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I hope it was green.

Comment on this

As Deputy Mattie McGrath said, 80% of the funding was allocated and to be fair to the community, they raised €35,000. We will keep the situation under review in terms of what the tender price comes in at. We will see what can happen and work with the local authority there as well.

Comment on this