2. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht when a new programme for community centre investment will be announced given the urgent need of many community centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8769/26]

Sentiment score: 0.08

Staying with the topic of community centres, will the Minister inform the House when the Government might announce a new programme for community centre investment given the serious issues many community centres are having at the moment in increasing what they have to offer for the public and if he could make a statement?

Sentiment score: -0.08

I thank the Minister very much for his reply. We are all aware of the importance of community centres throughout the country and no more so in my own area. Tonight, I will have a meeting of my own local community centre where we will discuss all things relevant, including funding and how we can expand what we can offer to the local community. It is very welcome that there is to be additional funding allocated. How quickly can that happen? The Minister said the announcement will be this year and then there will be funding announced before the end of the year. A lot of the community centres I am dealing with are having issues around heating, lack of heating, heating that is obsolete, etc. It is making a difference, particularly over the past number of weeks, in that they cannot open their doors. That is the issue I wanted to raise with the Minister today. I am glad the Government will concentrate on refurbishment more than anything else. The heating systems in many of these local halls and community centres are so old that they are not fit for purpose. I would welcome it if the Minister could confirm that is the type of infrastructure the Department is looking at.

Sentiment score: 0.12

The Minister mentioned a very important point. Tonight, at our meeting, there will probably be six of the locals who have been there for the past 20 to 30 years. They are the volunteers who keep that particular community going. As the Minister just did and the Minister of State previously acknowledged, it is always important to acknowledge those volunteers. In relation to the disability and marginal groups, there is a growing demand in urban areas for centres for marginalised groups. In relation to new centres, an area I have raised with the Minister before is the conversion of derelict buildings into community centres. Is that something the Minister will look at? I have mentioned previously rural schools that have become obsolete in some cases and unfortunately have closed in other cases. Again, is that something the Minister will look at? Obviously, those with a disability and those from marginalised groups need to meet, and need to have a location where they can meet. There are a number of obsolete and derelict buildings that could be used for these purposes. Is that something this fund would encourage?

Sentiment score: 0.02