COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, January 10, 2022

QUESTION NO. 13

QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor

To ask the Chief Executive will he give assurances of support to Community Centres who are seriously concerned at the rising costs of insurance; will he give details of advice he offers in the matter and will he make a statement? 

REPLY:

The Council's 2022 revenue budget provides a total of €1,502,800 for the maintenance, support, staffing and upkeep of community facilities including €500,000 new funding for community centre management and governance initiatives. A review of community facilities management examining the operational capacity and sustainability factors affecting community facilities across the county will inform a more strategic approach to funding and supporting community facility management in line with the increased provision in the revenue budget.   As part of this review, under the guidance of the Social, Community and Equality SPC, there will be engagement with local boards of management regarding the management, operations and challenges for community facilities that will increase the evidence base for future investment planning in community facilities across the County.  However, it should be noted that this support is intended to enhance governance and good practice for facilities but is not intended to provide funding for insurance or other operational costs.

More immediately, the Community Activities Fund (CAF) providing funding support to community groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas will open for applications later this month with a closing date at the end of February.  The CAF is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and administered by the Local Community Development Committees (LCDC) in South Dublin.  It will provide support for:

More details on the CAF will be available on www.sdcc.ie later this month.