Minister Calleary Announces over €14 million for 163 Community Projects
Minister Calleary announces over €14 million for 163 community projects
- Continued investment in our sports clubs, community centres, parks, walking trails and play spaces through the Community Recognition Fund
- Government delivers on its commitment to support rural regeneration and local communities
The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, has today (Monday, 24 February 2025) announced over €14 million to deliver 163 community projects across the country through the Community Recognition Fund.
The investment announced today will deliver a diverse range of projects and includes upgrades and enhancements to much needed sports facilities, community centres, parks, walking trails and playgrounds.
To support those with transport needs, a number of vehicles for community use are also included in the list of approved projects.
The Minister made the announcement as he visited Dublin’s Inner City Enterprise (ICE) with Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, TD, and Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer, TD. ICE will be receiving €400,000 under the fund to support refurbishment work at their social enterprise hub allowing them to expand their vital services.
The Community Recognition Fund was first introduced in 2023 to recognise the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland.
The funding being provided today is going to projects located in those towns, villages and city neighbourhoods that are hosting and supporting our new arrivals.
All local authority areas that applied for funding under phase 2 of the Community Recognition Fund 2024 are benefitting from today’s announcement.
Among the projects being funded today include:
| County & Town | Description | Funding Approved |
|---|---|---|
| Cork City – McCurtain Street | Development of a Youth Centre and Youth Café | €150,000 |
| County Donegal - Letterkenny | Development of walkway and associated works at St Eunan’s GAA club | €80,000 |
| Dublin City – Coleraine Street, Dublin 7 | Refurbishment works at the Social Enterprise Hub at the Inner City Enterprise | €400,000 |
| Galway City – Fr Griffin Road | Upgrade and accessibility enhancement to Fr Burke Park | €240,000 |
| County Kerry – Tralee | Purchase of a Minibus for Kerry Women's Centre | €90,000 |
| County Louth – Drogheda | Upgrade and replacement of sensory garden and playground equipment at the Abacas Special School | €69,863 |
| County Leitrim - Dromahair | Refurbishment of Dromahair Garda Station and change of use to community hub and men's shed | €176,590 |
| County Mayo - Ballinrobe | Development of an astro-turf pitch | €114,620 |
| South Dublin - Clondalkin | Development of a full-size all-weather pitch at St Francis FC | €350,000 |
Speaking today, Minister Calleary said:
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.
Through this continued investment under the Community Recognition Fund, to support towns and villages who have welcomed new arrivals, these communities will now enjoy upgrades to their sports facilities, community centres, recreational trails, community parks and play spaces.
Local authorities who administer this funding have engaged with communities to identify their specific needs which vary from one area to another. The diverse projects I am announcing today address those differing needs.
Minister Calleary continued by saying:
This investment is just one part of the Community Recognition Fund. The closing date for the next phase of applications from local authorities has been extended to February 28th, and successful projects will be announced in the coming months. This announcement today, and others to follow under various programmes administered by my Department, will provide real support to ensure our urban and rural communities continue to flourish.
Minister of State with special responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer, said
I would like to applaud the efforts of the volunteers and community groups who are benefitting from today’s investment. I want to thank them for their efforts to make their communities better places for all, and to acknowledge the pride they have in their own place. I also want to acknowledge the work of the local authority officials who support communities throughout the year. Working together, we can build strong, vibrant spaces for all members of our communities, new and old.”
Each local authority has an agreed funding allocation and can decide whether to apply for projects from this allocation under one, two or three of the application phases.
All local authorities have not applied under Phase 2. Phase 3 will remain open for applications until February 28th, 2025.
Details of the 163 projects announced today are available here.
The Community Recognition Fund (CRF)
The CRF was first introduced in 2023 to recognise the huge 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 in providing support to cities, towns and villages nationwide that have welcomed people from Ukraine and other countries.
To further support communities, a further €50 million in funding under the Community Recognition Fund was announced in March 2024. The additional funding is specifically targeted at projects that are located in cities, towns and villages that are hosting the Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and/or International Protection Applicants.
This allocation is being targeted at larger projects than in 2023, with a minimum of €50,000 per project, thereby providing a real and tangible benefit to communities. The Community Recognition Fund is being administered at a county level by the local authorities. Applications under the current round of funding can be submitted by local authorities across three phases, so as to allow flexibility and adequate engagement and collaboration on larger projects. The phased closing dates for receipt of applications were May 31st 2024, September 30th 2024 and the last extended to February 28th, 2025.
185 projects were approved under Phase 1 of the Community Recognition Fund 2024 in August 2024 with associated funding of €16.5 million.