New funding to upgrade community centres across Kilkenny

Community centres and facilities across Kilkenny will benefit from €127,249 for essential upgrades and maintenance as part of the July stimulus package.

The funding is part of a €5 million nationwide package provided by the Department of Rural and Community Development’s Community Enhancement Programme. It comes on top of €2 million funding under the same programme provided earlier this year.

Details of the funding were announced by Kilkenny Fine Gael TD John Paul Phelan. Deputy Phelan said: “The Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) seeks to enhance facilities in disadvantaged communities through capital grants allocated to community groups.

“The funding can be used for the maintenance, improvement and upkeep of community centres, and community buildings.

“We depend hugely on community groups in Kilkenny and I hope that this funding will help them to continue the important work that they carry out within our society.”

Deputy Phelan acknowledged the past few months have been “an extremely difficult time” for local community groups, who he said have “stepped up to the plate in providing essential services and activities”.

The Kilkenny TD (pictured below) added: “Today’s announcement complements other funding announced recently by the Department, such as an additional €10m funding for the Town and Village Renewal scheme under the Government’s July stimulus package, previous funding of €2m under the Community Enhancement Programme, and the €35m Covid-19 Stability Fund.

“The CEP is administered by Local Community Development Committees (LCDC) in the Kilkenny County Council area in order to allow flexibility, the Department is not setting a national closing date, but will allow each Local Community Development Committee to set its own, to best suit its area.

“The Department will require that all closing dates are no later than the end of October 2020. Groups should check with their LCDC for further details,” Deputy Phelan added.

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