12 community centres and projects in County Meath will receive €886,219 of funding for improvement and refurbishment works under the 2024 Community Centre Investment Fund, as announced by the by the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary earlier today.
The projects which will receive funding are:
- Ashbourne & District Community Council CLG To fund Ashbourne Community Centre with the installation of solar PV panels on the roof of the centre - €28,757
- Bohermeen Community Centre To fund the refurbishment and repurposing of the community centre - €67,300
- Claremount Stadium Group Sports Club C.S.G. To fund the renovation of the existing toilet facilities - €61,454
- Drumree GAA Community Hall To fund renovation, improved security, access control, fire cert and energy efficiency - €70,774
- Dunboyne Community Centre To fund new doors and windows - €45,320
- Dunderry, Kilbride and Robinstown Community Hall. To fund external insulation, flat roof and canopy improvements and addition of aluminium fascia, gutters and downpipes - €95,597
- Dunshaughlin Community Centre CLG. To fund the upgrade of the lift and complete the necessary repairs to the roof - €57,657
- Longwood Community Group to fund Longwood Community Hall with the upgrading of electrical system and the refurbishment of the kitchen and toilets - €90,000
- St. Colmcille's GAA to fund the Ciles Community Centre with upgrades of windows, kitchens, painting and decorating, flooring and a new seating area - €100,000
- Summerhill Community Centre To fund the installation of new doors, staircases and fire exits, as well as stage curtain, electrical work and insulation of a suspended ceiling - €89,150
- Moynalty Community Council to fund Moynalty Muintir Na Tire Hall with refurbishment work to centre - €92,000
- Meath Sonairte the National Ecology Centre CLGto fund Sonairte the National Ecology Centre with upgrades, modernising the electrical systems, installing a fire alarm, and improving insulation and energy efficiency - €88,210
In total, Minister Calleary announced over €26 million for improvement and refurbishment works on 369 community centres nationwide.
Making the announcement, Minister Calleary said:
“The funding I am announcing today under the Community Centre Investment Fund will ensure that 369 communities across our cities, towns and villages will benefit from enhanced community facilities. This follows on from funding for over 400 facilities announced in November.
“Community Centres are the lifeblood of our communities. They play host to some of our most important occasions, in good times and in bad. Again in recent weeks we have seen the importance of these centres for their local communities as many of them became emergency hubs in the aftermath of storm Éowyn.
“The funding that my Department provides under the Community Centre Investment Fund will empower these communities to continue to provide that much needed communal space.
“Projects being funded today vary greatly depending on the needs identified by the various communities; some will see the fabric of their facilities improved through roof and insulation enhancements; others will see kitchen and toilet upgrades; while others will ensure their buildings are more accessible and energy efficient.
“Whatever improvement works are being completed, we can be sure that this funding is being targeted at the heart of communities, both rural and urban, and the results of these works will see our community facilities being more sustainable, enjoyable and accessible places.”
Speaking at the announcement today, Jerry Buttimer TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for Community Development and Charities, said:
“I have to commend the volunteers in each of these centres, who give up so generously of their time and skills for the good of their communities. I want to congratulate each of the successful committees receiving funding today and wish them well with their various projects.
“I welcome the Programme for Government commitment ensuring this scheme becomes a permanent rolling fund to upgrade, refurbish and build local community centres.”
The full list of community centres receiving funding is available here.