Ireland’s first ever Irish Sign Language Café, located in the Deaf Village Ireland premises in Cabra in Dublin, was officially opened by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys.
The project received €100,000 under the Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF).
It is hoped that the new facility will create opportunities for employment and remote working, as well as providing members of the Deaf Community with a space to socialise.
Speaking during the visit, Minister Humphreys said: “This is a very unique, welcoming and inclusive place – a place where members of the Deaf Community can come together and meet up with friends.
“And it’s a place too where they can access a range of supports and take part in various different activities and events in areas ranging from sport and education to arts and heritage.
“But I know too that this Village opens its doors to everyone – and it is a really popular place too for hearing people, our young people and members of the wider Cabra area. I want to commend the work of everyone involved in bringing this project to fruition.”
Funding under the 2022 Community Centre Investment Fund was available under three categories, with grants of between €10,000 and €300,000 available.
Funding was available for capital works such as improvements to communal facilities, energy retrofitting, or to provide additional services to the community.
Over 860 projects were approved for funding with a combined value of over €45.8 million.
