The Tánaiste will be aware that last year the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, announced over €50 million for communities across Ireland who opened their village or town to so many people from Ukraine fleeing war and aggression from Russia and the Putin regime. The funding has been allocated across all local authorities based on the number of new arrivals located there. Many communities still have the same concerns about the influx of people. They often highlight the lack of community facilities such as playgrounds, sports facilities and community centres. This is an opportunity to address those concerns and I ask that consideration be given for a second round of this well-received funding by Government.

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and it is something to which I am very committed. As Taoiseach, I was anxious to promote the idea that there would be a recognition and an acknowledgement of the role that many communities the length and breadth of the country have played in welcoming Ukrainians who were fleeing from a most vicious war perpetrated by Russia and Putin. There was a €50 million community recognition fund that was administered by the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, and her Department. We will be introducing further supports for communities and we may provide this more directly to the communities. It was done via local authorities the last time and it was okay. Approximately 30% of projects are complete and we hope to get them all completed by the end of the year. However, I would like a more direct approach - modh díreach - on this.