Kilkenny to benefit from €20 Million Fund for the construction of new Community Centres

Volunteers in areas which don’t already have a community centre should consider applying for support through a new €20 million fund, Kilkenny Fine Gael TD, John Paul Phelan, has urged.

Deputy Phelan made his comments Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, launched the 2023 Community Centres Investment Fund. It will see €20 million invested in new and ambitious community projects in our towns and villages. 

Encouraging communities to apply, Deputy Phelan said: “This is the first ever dedicated fund for shovel-ready community projects in our towns and villages. Investment of at least €1 million per amenity is available and the Fund’s focus is on areas which currently lack community facilities.

“This is about investing in our rural communities, making them even better places to live, work, raise and family and socialse and deliver ambitious projects that bring communities and families together.

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“I’d strongly encourage qualifying communities to come together, apply through this Fund. Details of the Community Centres Investment Fund – New Builds Measure are available on www.gov.ie/drcd with the closing date for applications on 3rd July 2023,” Deputy Phelan said.

The Fund builds on the highly successful 2022 initiative, which delivered an investment of over €45 million to renovate and upgrade over 850 projects the length and breadth of the country.

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Announcing the details of the 2023 scheme, Minister  Humphreys said: “Our community centres are the lifeblood of our rural villages and indeed our urban centres. They are places that bring people of all ages together.

“Places where our young people come to socialise and meet up with friends, to take part in activities ranging from soccer to snooker and drama to dance. And they are places where our elderly people come simply for a chat – sometimes the only chat they will have on any given day.

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“As Minister, I have placed a huge focus on developing and improving community centres nationwide. Last year alone, we invested over €45 million in making over 850 of our community facilities safer, more accessible and more enjoyable places for families.

“By doing so, we have ensured that these great centres remain at the heart of our communities and continue to act as a hive of activity.”