Minister Calleary announces over €17 million for 212 community projects
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From: Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht
- Published on: 5 June 2025
- Last updated on: 5 June 2025
- Continued investment, through the Community Recognition Fund, in our sports clubs, community centres, parks, recreational trails and play and sensory spaces.
- Projects supporting arts, culture and community vehicles also receive funding.
- Government delivers on its commitment to support local communities to be more inclusive and resilient.
During a visit to County Roscommon to open a number of rural development projects funded by his Department, Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, has today (Thursday, 5 June) announced over €17 million to deliver 212 community projects nationwide through the Community Recognition Fund.
This, the third announcement of projects under the 2024 fund, will deliver real and tangible benefits to communities across the country who have welcomed new arrivals in recent years to their cities, towns and villages.
Included in the list of 212 projects announced today are enhancement works to community centres, a wide range of recreational facilities, and the purchase of buildings and lands for future shared use by communities.
The provision of community vehicles and projects supporting the arts and culture sector are also included in today’s announcement.
Minister Calleary made the announcement during a visit to county Roscommon, where he unveiled a range of rural development projects.
Among the projects being funded today include:
- County Carlow – Carlow Town: Provision of an accessible walking track and upgrade of playground equipment at St. Laserian's Special School - €160,000
- County Clare - Bunratty: Purchase of boat and boat repairs for Bunratty Search and Rescue - €86,000
- County Donegal – Carrick: Purchase of a site in village centre for Carrick Regeneration Group for the creation of a civic space- €130,000
- Dublin City – Harolds Cross: Replace existing pitch lighting at Harolds Cross YFC - €100,800
- County Galway - Bearna: Develop attic space to create community meeting rooms for Ionad Óige Bhearna/Na Forbacha - €120,000
- Limerick City – Garryowne Road: Creation of a sensory play space at St. John's Girl's & Infant Boy's School - €144,249
- County Mayo - Ballina: Replacement of heating system in Ballina Arts Centre- €50,000
- County Wicklow - Greystones: Upgrade works to Newcastle playground - €160,000
Speaking today, Minister Calleary said:
“I am very happy to be making a further announcement under the Community recognition Fund which will build on the 349 projects previously announced under the 2024 scheme. The announcement today will mean that over 1,450 projects have now been awarded funding under the Community Recognition Fund in just over two years.
“The Community Recognition Fund continues to support the cities, towns and villages that welcomed new arrivals to their communities in recent years. This funding has enabled communities to be more inclusive and resilient through the provision and enhancement of a range of community facilities and community spaces.”
Speaking at the announcement, Minister of State with special responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer, said:
“I am delighted with today’s announcement which sees a further 212 projects brought to fruition through the Community Recognition Fund. This fund has now invested €100 million in cities, towns and villages across the country and the difference this funding has made will serve these communities well for many years to come.
“The way in which these communities, welcomed new arrivals is a testament to the Irish people and that ‘meitheal’ which is still part of the fabric of our society, long may it continue.”
Minister Calleary concluded by saying:
“In line with Our Programme for Government and my Department’s policy ‘Our Rural Future’ I am committed to providing supports to our communities both urban and rural. Supports that will enable them to become inclusive, resilient and sustainable places in which to live and raise a family, to visit and to socialise.
“I would like to acknowledge the efforts of community groups in preparing and submitting applications under the Community Recognition Fund. Through your care and passion for your communities, real change is happening, and community infrastructure is being improved and developed like never before. Working together we are building the communities of the future.”
Details of the 212 projects announced today are available
Notes:
The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht
From June 2nd, 2025, The Department of Rural and Community Development will be known as The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.
Our Minister’s titles are Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD and Minister of State with Responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer TD.
The above titles should be used when referring to the Department and Ministers going forward.
All thirty-one local authority areas that applied for funding under phase 3 of the Community Recognition Fund 2024 are benefitting from today’s announcement. Each local authority had an agreed funding allocation but were obliged to retain a certain amount of that allocation for the final phase of the 2024 allocation. Some local authorities submitted application across all three phases while others opted for either phase 1 or 2 and then phase 3.
The Community Recognition Fund (CRF)
The CRF was first introduced in 2023 to recognise the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland.
Through the 2023 allocation, funding of €50 million was approved for some 900 projects in providing support to cities, towns and villages nationwide that have welcomed people from Ukraine and other countries.
To further support communities, a further €50 million in funding under the Community Recognition Fund was announced in March 2024. The additional funding is specifically targeted at projects that are located in cities, towns and villages that are hosting the Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and/or International Protection Applicants.
This allocation is being targeted at larger projects than in 2023, with a minimum of €50,000 per project, thereby providing a real and tangible benefit to communities. The Community Recognition Fund is being administered at a county level by the local authorities. Applications under the current round of funding can be submitted by local authorities across three phases, so as to allow flexibility and adequate engagement and collaboration on larger projects. The phased closing dates for receipt of applications were May 31st, 2024, September 30th, 2024, and the last extended to February 28th, 2025.
185 projects were approved under phase 1 of the Community Recognition Fund 2024 in August 2024 with associated funding of €16.5 million and a further 164 projects were approved in February 2025 with associated funding of €14.4 million.
Link to further information on the fund can be found by visiting Community Recognition Fund