Waterford to get €840,000 funding boost for community centres 

Waterford’s community centres are set for a major funding boost of €841,065 across capital projects at 10 community centres in Waterford.

Nationally, funding of €26.1 million under the 2024 Community Centre Investment Fund was allocated to enhancement and refurbishment works at 369 community centres by the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD.

“I am delighted to welcome this announcement,” said Government Chief Whip and Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler.

“This builds on the recent approval in November of over €7.8 million for small-scale refurbishment works of up to €25,000 on over 400 centres around the country under category 1.”

The biggest beneficiaries of the funding scheme in Waterford are:

• Lismore Heritage CLG is set to receive €99,600 to fund the upgrade of the emergency lighting, heating, toilet and kitchen facilities at Lismore Community Centre.
• Cappoquin Community Centre will get €93,000 in funding to activate a project to expand its Solar PV System and install heat pump heaters.
• Funding of €91,860 has been awarded to the Carbally Community Development Project to improve emergency efficiency and address fire safety concerns.
• Passage East and Crooke Development Association will benefit from €90,606 to fund the installation of solar panels, the upgrade of toilets and new doors and windows at Passage East Community Centre.

Minister Butler described community centres in Waterford as “the lifeblood of our communities” saying they “play host to some of our most important occasions.”

“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.”

The Fianna Fáil politician said she had “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.”

The full list of community centres is:

• Ballyduff Muintir Na Tire Community Services CLG - St. Michael's Hall - To fund the replacement of the roofing system over the stage, upgrade of kitchen equipment and replacement of a lighting system for the stage - €90,000
• Ballymacarbry Community Centre CLG - Ballymacarbry Community Centre - To fund improvements to the safety, energy efficiency, accessibility and usability of the centre - €89,681
• Brill F.R.C. (Family Resource Centre) CLG - Brill Family Resource Community Centre - To fund internal construction works and provision of new fixtures to establish a bakery and cookery school - €66,342
• Cappoquin Community Development Company CLG - Cappoquin Community Centre - To fund the expansion of its Solar PV System and install heat pump heaters - €93,000
• Carbally Community Development Project - Carbally Community Development Project - To improve emergency efficiency and address fire safety concerns - €91,860
• Clashmore and Kinsalebeg Community Council - Clashmore And Kinsalebeg Old School House - To fund the upgrade of the flooring, electrics and toilets, and install heating and a lighting and sound system - €89,290
• Lismore Heritage CLG - Lismore Community Centre - To fund the upgrade of the emergency lighting, heating, toilet and kitchen facilities - €99,600
• Passage East and Crooke Development Association - Passage East Community Centre - To fund installation of solar panels, upgrade of toilets and new doors and windows - €90,606
• Waterford Local Enterprise Development Company - Cill Barra Community Sports Centre - To fund activity to improve the energy efficiency of the centre - €90,000
• Micheál McCraith Tramore GAA Club - Micheál McCraith Tramore GAA Community Hall - To fund the construction of meeting rooms and upgrade of the access doors - €40,686