32. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the plans in place in his Department to improve the funding and resourcing of community centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52565/26]

My department has invested substantial levels of funding in resourcing community centres in recent years and this investment is set to continue.

The Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF) was introduced to provide high quality, accessible, community spaces that are available to all groups in all communities in both rural and urban areas. Some €112 million has been allocated since 2022 for the enhancement and refurbishment of existing community centres and the construction of new centres where such a need has been identified.

I was delighted to launch the latest round of funding under CCIF 2026 on March 26th for enhancement and refurbishment of existing community centres. The fund will be delivered across 2 categories with maximum funding levels of €25,000 and €100,000 respectively. The closing date has now passed, and the appraisal process has commenced. I look forward to announcing the successful projects later in the year. I also expect that the next iteration of funding announced under the Fund will focus on new build projects.

The CLÁR programme also provides funding for community facilities and amenities, including community centres, in designated CLÁR areas. The applications under the 2026 scheme are currently being assessed and I expect to announce the successful projects later in the year.

The current LEADER Programme is operational across the country, with total funding of €180 million for the period from 2023 to 2027. It provides support to rural communities under a broad range of themes. While it does not support the ongoing operational costs related to community centres, it has for many years supported community projects for capital works such as refurbishments and accessibility improvements once they are compatible with LEADER’s Operating Rules and the Local Development Strategy for the area.

My Department's Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) is targeted towards supporting communities that are impacted by disadvantage, as identified in the Local Economic and Community Plan  of the relevant local authority. It provides small capital grants to community and voluntary groups for the improvement/refurbishment of their facilities and/or the purchase of equipment. The fund is administered locally on behalf of the Department by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) across the country.

The LEP 2026 was announced on December 5th, 2025, and provides €7 million in capital supports to many small community groups and organisations, particularly those who serve disadvantaged communities in rural and urban areas. The successful projects were announced on July 2nd, 2026.

Also administered by my department is the Community Services Programme (CSP).  With funding of €59.4m this year, the programme currently supports 434 community-based organisations to provide 453 local social, economic, and environmental services through a social enterprise model. The CSP provides an annual co-funding contribution towards each full-time equivalent position being supported, and, where warranted, towards the cost of employing a manager.

An open call for applications to join the CSP closed for preliminary applications on May 8th, and all applications received are currently going through the various stages of the appraisal process. It is anticipated that organisations will be notified of the outcome of this preliminary application stage in the coming weeks. Subsequently, shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a full application to Pobal by end August. Feedback will be provided to those organisations that have not been shortlisted.

I would encourage organisations to check my Department’s website for information on funding opportunities and announcements.