COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, September 14, 2020

QUESTION NO. 24

QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor

To ask the Chief Executive to detail actions being taken to facilitate the reopening of Community Centres in these difficult times and in reporting will he also say if any consideration has been given to suggestions that Community Centres should get a once off annual grant to cover their costings and will he make a statement?

REPLY:

The challenges faced in re-opening of community centres & other community, sporting, voluntary facilities due to health & safety requirements, social distancing and other Covid related burdens as well as the financial challenges for organisation including income reductions, fixed costs, capacity issues etc. are ackowledged.  In this regard, the Community Services team have been working to assist the Boards of Management of community centres with their plans to re-open facilities in line with covid-related public health guidelines.

 

The repurposed community grants programme as agreed by the Elected Members at the July Council meeting has gone live to support community centres and other community facilities with Covid-related re-opening costs including risk audits, safety plans, signage, screens, personal protective equipment and other related costs as well helping community and sports organisations with running costs, management assistance, equipment grants and appropriate events.

Annual management assistance grant funding for community centres that is usually administered by the Community Department in October each year has been accelerated with payment made to centres in June to assist with cashflows for re-opening plans while awaiting the repurposed community grant funding.  We have also specifically engaged health and safety advisors to support and assist Boards of Management with Covid response plans in place in a number of the community facilties in the County.

Community grant funding details and online applications are available here: https://sdcc.ie/en/services/community/funding-and-support/community-grants/community-grants.html