The new government fund has been created to enhance community facilities.
Almost a million euro in funding has been announced for community centres in the midlands.
The new Community Centre Investment Fund, from the Department of Rural and Community Development, will go towards upgrading and enhancing 45 facilities across the region, including community centres, GAA clubs, parish halls, youth centres, men’s sheds and facilities used by the elderly.
Grants of up €25,000 are going to 18 centres in Offaly, 15 in Laois, and 12 in Westmeath.
Nationally, over €12.5 million is going towards almost 600 community centres.
Today's announcement of Category 1 projects will be followed by further funding announcements for larger scale projects in the coming weeks.
Among the capital works that will be carried out include:
· Upgrades to heating systems/energy retrofitting,
· Installation of new windows/doors,
· Works to upgrade and improve kitchen facilities,
· Upgrades to lighting systems and stage areas,
· Works to upgrade toilet facilities,
· Works to improve disability access,
· Improvements to assist in providing additional or better services to the community such as Meals for the Elderly & youth facilities,
· Works to develop Community Centres as Social Hubs through the development of Community Cinemas, Youth Hubs and Community Libraries,
· Essential maintenance works, repairs to roof, etc,
· Works to address safety concerns, including as a result of fire safety audits.
Making the announcement today, Minister Heather Humphreys said;
"The local Community Centre is at the heart of our towns, villages and parishes all across this country. They come in many different shapes and sizes and are a place for people of all ages to meet up and socialise with friends, old and new. I want to support these great local facilities and that’s why I launched the new Community Centre Investment Fund earlier this year. The level of interest has been unprecedented under any scheme previously ran by the Department of Rural and Community Development."
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