Ministers Humphreys and O’Brien announce €9 million Fund to support community groups impacted by COVID-19 

• ‘Fund to provide small grants for community groups impacted by the Pandemic’
• Facilities such as community centres, men’s and women’s sheds, parish halls and youth centres to be supported
• Supporting community groups a key focus of ‘Our Rural Future’

Media release: Thursday, 11 November 2021

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, and Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien TD, have today announced a €9 million fund to support community groups impacted by COVID-19.

The Community Activities Fund will support groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with their running costs such as utility or insurance bills, as well as with improvements to their facilities.

Groups will also be able to use the funding to carry out necessary repairs and to purchase equipment such as tables and chairs, tools and signage, laptops and printers, lawnmowers, canopies and training equipment.

The once-off fund will be allocated under the Department’s Community Enhancement Programme and will be administered locally by the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs).

Announcing the funding today, Minister Humphreys said:

“This funding is about giving a helping hand to our local groups and clubs, which have continued to serve their community during COVID-19.

“These grants may be small in nature, but they help thousands of community organisations, clubs, men’s and women’s sheds, youth centres and parish halls. 

“I would encourage all interested groups to get in touch with their Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) that administers the programme in their area.

“Supporting local communities to shape their future is a key focus of the Government’s new rural development policy, Our Rural Future.  The funding I am announcing today will ensure that important work can continue to be delivered by communities on the ground and I’m delighted that every single county will benefit.”

Also announcing the funding today, Minister O’Brien said:

“This past year has, once again, shown the importance of a vibrant Community and Voluntary sector. The efforts of local community groups & volunteers throughout the pandemic has been immense and this funding will help to provide practical support to smaller community groups and facilities at a grassroots level across the country. 

“I hope that this will continue to help foster and grow the community spirit that is so evident across Ireland”

In order to allow flexibility, the Department is not setting a national closing date, but will allow each LCDC to set its own, to best suit its area. The Department will require that all closing dates are no later than 28 February 2022. Groups should check with their LCDC for further details.

Meath: €285,786

Contact: The Department of Rural and Community Development Press Office 01-773 6843 / 087-1734633 Press.office@drcd.gov.ie

Notes to editor:

• The Community Activities Fund is being administered under the existing Community Enhancement Programme (CEP), which is targeted towards enhancing facilities in disadvantaged communities.

• The Community Enhancement Programme was launched for the first time in 2018.  Between 2018 and the end of 2020 the CEP has provided funding to over 8,000 projects across the country. A list of projects is provided on the following link: Community Enhancement Programme reports

• The funding provided to each Local Authority area is outlined in the above table. The funding has been allocated by providing a baseline amount to each area and allocating the remainder based on the relative population and disadvantage level in each area. This methodology uses census figures and the Pobal Hasse deprivation index.

• The funding is administered locally by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) across the country, with support from their Local Authority. Applications for funding can be made to the relevant LCDC. Contact details for LCDCs are available here.