Over €14 million granted for 163 community projects
The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, has today (Monday, February 24) announced over €14 million in funding to 163 community projects across the country through the Community Recognition Fund (CRF).
The fund will deliver investment for a wide range of projects and will include upgrades and enhancements to sports facilities, community centres, parks, walking trails, and playgrounds.
Funding is also approved for a range of community vehicles, with €73,015 granted to a Leitrim volunteer centre for a bus.
The minister made the announcement today as he visited Dublin’s Inner City Enterprise (ICE) with Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, and Minister of State with responsibility for community development and charities, Jerry Buttimer.
ICE was granted €400,000 in funding.
The CRF was first introduced in 2023 to recognise the efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland.
Through the 2023 allocation, funding of €50 million was approved for some 900 projects that provided support to cities, towns, and villages nationwide that welcomed people from Ukraine and other countries.
An additional €50 million in funding under the CRF was announced in March 2024. The additional funding was specifically targeted at projects located in cities, towns, and villages that are hosting the beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and/or International Protection applicants.
Speaking about the project, Minister Calleary said the funding is “in keeping with the Government’s renewed commitment to ensuring local communities are supported to make their town, village and parish thriving places to live, work and raise a family,
"I am very happy to be making this announcement which will see 163 very worthwhile projects receiving funding to deliver key community infrastructure across the country."
Minister of State with special responsibility for community development and charities, Jerry Buttimer, stated: "I would like to applaud the efforts of the volunteers and community groups who are benefiting from today’s investment.
"Working together, we can build strong, vibrant spaces for all members of our communities, new and old."
Some examples of the project that will receive funding include €200,000 for the Carlow Volunteer Centre for building development, €54,570 to Killala Community Council in Co. Mayo for the refurbishment of a community playground, and €111,749 for Ramor United GAA in Virginia, Co. Cavan, to upgrade the club house and to create a multi-purpose activity area.
Phase 3 of the CRF will remain open for applications until this Friday, February 28.
