Minister Joe O’Brien Welcomes over €12.5 million for Nearly 600 Community Centres

12th October, 2022

Minister for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien, has today welcomed the announcement of successful projects under Category 1 of the Community Centres Investment Fund.

These Community Centres will receive funding of up to €25,000 for the improvement and refurbishment of existing facilities in both urban and rural areas.

The €15 million Community Centres Investment Fund was launched in April this year with the aim of supporting groups to upgrade and develop community centres across the country.

The funding provided will be used for a range of improvements such as kitchen and toilet facilities, energy retrofitting and works to address safety and accessibility.

Works to develop community centres as social hubs through the development of community cinemas, youth hubs and community libraries were also funded.

Some of the successful applicants announced today include:

• Balbriggan Meals on Wheels
• Balrothery Heritage Centre
• Loughshinny Community Centre

Welcoming the announcement of the funding, Joe O’Brien said:

“I spend a significant amount of my time out and about visiting community groups throughout Ireland and I see first-hand the importance of community centres – that shared community space where people can gather to support each other, to work, to socialise, and to help to continue to develop their local community. There has been huge interest in the fund which has received a large number of applications and the increased funding we have secured in the Budget will ensure that the new fund has the biggest impact possible in local communities nationwide.”

A full list of the successful projects under Category 1 of the Community Centres Investment Fund is available here.