• Fund will focus on upgrade and enhancement works to existing community centres nationwide
• Funding of up to €100,000 available for refurbishment works
• Range of supports in place to assist community groups in developing high quality applications

The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, has today, 26^th March 2026, announced a fourth round of funding under the Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF).

The focus of the Community Centres Investment Fund 2026 – Refurbishment, is to support upgrade and enhancement works to existing community centres nationwide. This fund builds on the success of the CCIF 2022 & 2024 which provided funding of over €80m for almost 1,650 community centre refurbishment projects. Funding of over €30 million has also been provided to build 12 new centres.

The Community Centre Investment Fund 2026 – Refurbishment will provide grants for projects from €10,000 up to a maximum of €100,000 towards capital costs. This is broken down into two categories of funding:

• Category 1: Small scale projects/improvements to facilities: €10,000 – €25,000 (95% funding)

• Category 2: Larger scale projects: €25,001 to €100,000 (90% funding)

All applicants must register as ‘users’ on the online portal herein advance of the application process which will open in late May. Groups that applied for this fund previously will not need to register again but should check that their details are still correct.

Groups are advised to get their application and paperwork ready in advance of the online application process opening at the end of May. The closing date for applications will be 13^th July.

The Department will be running a series of information sessions in advance of the application opening date to assist in the preparation of applications.

All materials to support applicants including template application form, guidelines, FAQ document and details on information sessions can be found at the Department of Rural & Community Development and the Gaeltacht website here.

Making the announcement today, Minister Calleary said:

“The Community Centre Investment Fund has had a transformative impact across the country. Since the inception of this Fund, over €111 million has already been provided to support community centres in their role at the very heart of community life. I am pleased today to be able to launch a new round of funding under the Community Centre Investment Fund with online applications being accepted from 29^th May. This builds on an unprecedented level of investment in our community centres in recent years. This scheme can be used for a range of refurbishment works such as new roofs,  energy upgrades, accessibility measures, new kitchen facilities, new stage and lighting, essential repairs and lots more.”

The Minister concluded:

“I would encourage groups who need funding for works on their community centre to avail of this opportunity to begin preparing their applications and to start getting quotes together for the required works.  I would also advise them to engage fully with the information sessions that will be provided and to review the information available about this scheme on my department’s website.

“Through ‘Our Rural Future,’ the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht continues to invest and to support communities the length and breadth of this country to thrive and to become better places in which to live, work and raise a family.”

ENDS

Contact: The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Press Office 01 773 6843 / 087-1734633 Press.office@drcdg.gov.ie

Notes:

Community facilities can be defined as a building that is managed by a community-based organisation which is open to and used by a broad range of individuals and groups within the local community for group activities such as social events, information/supports and recreation.

The Community Centre Investment Fund 2026- Refurbishment will provide grants as follows:

Category 1: Small scale projects/improvements to facilities €10,000 – €25,000.   

A minimum of 5% of the total project budget is required by the applicant as match funding.

Category 2: Larger scale projects €25,001 to €100,000. 

A minimum of 10% of the total project budget is required by the applicant as match funding. 

Funding is available for capital works such as:

• Costs associated with building/renovation works (e.g. materials for extension, refurbishment, modernisation, flooring electrical and plumbing)
• Costs associated with acquisition, installation or replacement of equipment which form an integral part of a building e.g., kitchen units, worktops, sinks, bathroom fittings etc.
• Costs associated with improving the energy efficiency of the building.
• Rental costs of equipment required for the project e.g., diggers, cement mixers, etc.
• Professional fees such as architects, quantity surveyors etc., up to a maximum of 12.5% of the total project costs for both grant categories.
• Labour costs for registered tradespeople such as builders, plasterers, decorators, plumbers, electricians etc., as necessary for the completion of the project.
• Purchase costs of equipment necessary for the ongoing success of the project following completion e.g. kitchen appliances for a kitchen renovation project, improved lighting, sound systems, stage, curtains, installation of a lift to improve assess for disabled people, tables, chairs, catering equipment, sensory equipment, sensory rooms and pool tables/tennis tables for youth areas.
• Improvements to facilities which are necessary to meet fire safety and building regulations e.g. lining of walls and floors, escape routes, wiring, sockets, electrical switches and distribution boards, gas tanks, gas burning flues, heating systems and appliances.
• Fire safety equipment e.g. fire doors, fire alarm system, protected escape stairways, smoke alarms and CO2 alarms.
• Upgrade works on electrical, gas and heating appliances to ensure they meet regulations and standards.
• Direct costs associated with improving accessibility for disabled users or those with mobility issues.
• Outdoor lighting to improve the safety of the immediate environs of buildings and/or parking area but not floodlights for walkways or pitches.
• External storage e.g. for storage of tables, chairs, equipment etc
• Internal/external painting which includes the exterior of the building, storage sheds and boundary walls.
• Outdoor signage (Signed fixed to the building and/or standalone signage and must include Irish translation)
• Toilets and showers within the community centre

Applicants are asked to register their organisation in advance of the application process opening on 29^th May:

• Groups can access the portal immediately and register their group. Groups that applied for this fund previously will not need to register again but are advised to check that their details are still correct.
• The application process will open at the end of May.
• The closing date for applications will be July 13th, 2026.
• Online information sessions, clinics and support events will be held in April, May, June and July 2026. Check with DRCDG Website here for further details and links for registering for the upcoming information events and application clinics.

The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht

The expanded Department is now known as the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.

The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD leads the Department and is supported by the Minister of State with Responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer TD.