€50 million fund to support communities hosting refugees

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys and Minister of State Joe O’Brien, have today set out the details of the €50 million Community Recognition Fund.

The initiative is the first of its kind, and is designed to specifically support communities across the country that have welcomed and are hosting families and citizens from Ukraine and other countries. The funding aims to support the development of facilities that will be used in the future by all members of the community.

Projects that will be supported under the fund include:

•  The refurbishment of local sports clubs and facilities
• The upgrade of community facilities such as play areas, walkways, parks and community gardens
• The purchase of equipment to benefit local clubs, festivals, music and arts organisations
• The enhancement of school or parish facilities that are open to the wider community after hours or on weekends
• Transport infrastructure such as community vehicles and bus shelters

The €50 million has been allocated across all local authorities based on the number of new arrivals located there. (See allocations below).

The funding will be drawn down over 2023 and 2024. Projects will be delivered by the local authorities in conjunction with community organisations.

Minister Humphreys said: “The funding now being made available will support communities in developing projects ranging from sports clubs, playgrounds and walkways, to community groups in areas such as arts, drama and music. Communities the length and breadth of the country have really stepped up to the plate in recent weeks, opening their homes and facilities to people very much in need.

“This Fund is recognising the vital role our communities are playing as we continue to deal with many challenges, not least the war in Ukraine. I would like to encourage communities to engage directly with their local authorities in the coming weeks to ensure that high quality projects can be delivered, benefitting their towns and villages for years to come.”

Minister of State Joe O’Brien added: “Today’s announcement will empower communities across the country in developing projects that directly address local needs.

“Funding is available for a wide range of projects, such as the purchase of community vehicles and the enhancement of local clubs’ facilities and amenities. I am confident that this new initiative will deliver tangible benefits to communities all across Ireland.”

The Department has published the full details of the scheme (including funding allocations) here , and applications are now being sought from local authorities on the basis of engagement with local communities and clear targeting of proposed projects to areas with the highest level of need.

The allocations per county are:

Local Authority	Allocation
Carlow County Council	€937,967
Cavan County Council	€1,191,206
Clare County Council	€2,925,549
Cork City Council	€1,163,515
Cork County Council	€2,307,035
Donegal County Council	€3,114,395
Dublin City Council	€2,392,127
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council	€707,864
Fingal County Council	€1,813,912
Galway City Council	€1,911,918
Galway County Council	€1,333,290
Kerry County Council	€4,403,073
Kildare County Council	€807,328
Kilkenny County Council	€948,063
Laois County Council	€1,014,607
Leitrim County Council	€2,204,319
Limerick City And County Council	€1,389,505
Longford County Council	€653,453
Louth County Council	€1,515,727
Mayo County Council	€2,354,126
Meath County Council	€1,231,685
Monaghan County Council	€881,203
Offaly County Council	€669,691
Roscommon County Council	€689,057
Sligo County Council	€1,424,596
South Dublin County Council	€2,754,305
Tipperary County Council	€997,861
Waterford City And County Council	€1,421,869
Westmeath County Council	€1,649,996
Wexford County Council	€1,509,870
Wicklow County Council	€1,680,887
TOTAL	€50,000,000