Joe O'Brien - Green Party Joe O'Brien - Green Party

Minister O’Brien announces €4.5 million to improve community facilities

10th May, 2021

Minister Joe O’Brien (Green Party)

Dublin Fingal

10th May 2021

 

Minister O’Brien announces €4.5 million to improve community facilities

  • Funding to support local groups to re-open their facilities post COVID-19
  • Small grants for repairs and renovations, new equipment and safety upgrades
  • Community Enhancement Programme to focus on disadvantaged areas

 

Joe O’Brien, TD Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities has today announced €4.5 million to support community groups impacted by COVID-19.   Groups in Fingal will have access to €150,521 under the scheme.

The 2021 Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) will provide small grants designed to assist in the re-opening of facilities such as community centres, men’s and women’s sheds, parish halls and youth centres.

The grants will range from a few hundred euro up to €10,000, however, exceptions will be made depending on the application.

The funding is to help groups and clubs get back on their feet and may be used to carry out necessary renovations and repairs or to purchase equipment such as tables and chairs, tools and signage, laptops and printers, lawnmowers, canopies, training equipment and so on.

The Community Enhancement Programme, which to date has supported over 8,000 projects, places a focus on supporting groups in disadvantaged areas.

The key theme of this year’s programme is supporting groups as they their re-open facilities which have been closed due to COVID-19.

As the grants are relatively small, this programme may appeal to groups that are not eligible for the €10 million COVID Stability Fund, which was launched last week.

Announcing the funding Minister O’Brien said:

“This funding is about giving a helping hand to our local groups and clubs, which are the lifeblood of our communities.”

“The CEP is a really practical support to smaller community groups and facilities that are active at a grassroots level. This past year has, once again, shown the importance of a vibrant Community and Voluntary sector.”

“The efforts of local community groups & volunteers throughout the pandemic has been immense and, as we recover from the pandemic, we are conscious that something different is needed for many groups this year, and that is why with the CEP this year there is a focus on grants towards reopening facilities.”

Minister O’Brien added:

“I would encourage all interested groups to get in touch with the Fingal Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) that administers the programme for Fingal.”

The Department will require that all closing dates for applications for funding are no later than 16th July 2021. Groups should check with their Local Community Development Committees for further details.

ENDS

For more information please contact johanna.walsh@oireachtas.ie