Phelan welcomes €600,000 for Carlow-Kilkenny under €33 million to upgrade 280 community centres nationwide

Fine Gael TD, John Paul Phelan, has welcomed €300,000 investments in two key community projects in Carlow and Kilkenny. The investments are made as part of a €33 million nation-wide package which will see the upgrade of 280 community centres up and down the country.

The investment will provide for extensions to some centres, energy efficiency upgrades to others and the provision of better access for people with mobility and disability challenges, Deputy Phelan said.

“Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, along with the Tánaiste Leo Varadkar TD, have announced funding of over €33 million for the upgrade and development of Community Centres nationwide.

“In Carlow, St Catherine’s Community Services Centre receives €300,000. This Centre in Carlow provides a range of services to families, older people and vulnerable groups. The funding will be used to extend the facility to provide for a new family room and consultation rooms.

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“In Kilkenny, Urlingford Town Team gets €300,000. This will provide for the major refurbishment of the large former dance hall in Urlingford, including the replacement of the asbestos roof and externally insulating the reinforced concrete walls.

“The announcement under the new Community Centre Investment Fund represents the largest ever capital investment in upgrading Community Centres and will see grants of between €25,000 to €300,000 provided to successful projects.”

Speaking at the announcement, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said: "This Government and the last showed time and again that we’re committed to community development.  

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“I’m delighted to see this ground-breaking investment in community centres. It will bring real improvements to the heart of communities across Ireland.

“In time, I think it will become as significant as the Sport Capital Programme which has brought local sporting facilities up a level that would have been unimaginable 20 years ago. 

“The benefits will be felt in Community Centres, Parish and Scouts Halls, clubhouses, Men’s Sheds and Youth Facilities. Every county in Ireland will receive funding for projects like new meeting rooms, refurbished and warmer buildings, new social hubs, and improved disability access.”