COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, January 09, 2023
HEADED ITEM NO. 13
COMMUNITY AND SPORTS GRANTS - FOR NOTING
(a.) Community Grants Approvals
On 19th April 2022, the Community Department opened the online application process whereby community and voluntary groups responding to locally identified needs within their communities could apply for assistance from the Council under the following categories:
- Community Development Grants
- Community Events Funding
- Summer Projects Funding
- Sport Development Grants
Two hundred and sixty-two (262) applications were received in 2022, all of which underwent a thorough assessment by the Community Development team under the following criteria:
- Impact on local community and local community involvement.
- Proven track record of project delivery and non-duplication of activities in the local area.
- Sustainable & value for money projects with clear/accurate costings.
- Existing funds available to the group/alternative funding sources.
At various Council meetings during 2022, members have noted the approval of one hundred and seventy-two (172) community and sports grants in the total sum of €272,083 for one hundred and forty-seven (147) local groups. Following the latest assessment process and having regard to the available budget, an additional twelve (12) grants to twelve (12) local groups for a cumulative total of €12,900 are now approved, summarised as follows:
| Category | No. of Grants | Amount |
| Community Development Grants* | 3 | €2,210 |
| Community Events Funding | 9 | €10,690 |
| Total | 12 | €12,900 |
(*includes Running Costs, Start Up, Environmental Improvement, Major and Minor Equipment Grants)
The list of approved grants at this time together with their respective grant amounts is as follows:
| Group | Category | Amount |
| Bawnogue Youth and Community Centre | Events Funding-Christmas Event | €500 |
| Golden Circle-Killinarden Active Retirement Group | Community Development-Equipment Grant | €800 |
| Greenhills Community Centre | Events Funding-Christmas Event | €900 |
| Killinarden Community Council | Events Funding-Christmas Event | €350 |
| Kingswood Community & Leisure Centre | Events Funding-Christmas Event | €210 |
| Knocklyon Women's Group | Community Development Grant- Running Costs Grant | €500 |
| Knockmitten Youth and Community Centre | Events Funding-Christmas Event | €350 |
| Lucan Irish Countrywomen's Association | Community Development Grant - Minor Equipment grant | €910 |
| St Brigid's Festival / Lá Fheile Bríde | Events Funding - Village/Community Festival | €3,000 |
| St Kevins Family Resource Centre | Events Funding-Christmas Event | €380 |
| Tallaght Community Arts | Events Funding - Village/Community Festival | €3,000 |
| The WEB Project | Events Funding - Village/Community Festival | €2,000 |
| Total | €12,900 |
The 2022 online community and sports grants application process closed in December.
(b.) Community Centre Management Support Fund
As previously advised, the new Community Centre Management Support Fund is currently live following a review of the financial supports offered to boards of local community centres together with the opportunity to support enhanced governance and strategic planning by community centres with the enhanced funding provided in the Council’s 2022 Budget.
The Management Support Fund consolidates and enhances existing funding streams for community centres (including the annual management assistance grant and community event grants) into a new annual fund that will support and reward strategic planning and good governance as well as reducing the administrative burden on centres. Under the fund, one application process per year will be made by community centres to apply across three funding areas:
- Annual Centre Running Costs,
- Employment and Staff Training Costs
- Community Events
The local Community Development teams have been available to assist with advice on completing the applications and boards of management were invited to an online information webinar during December. Details of the associated online application process have also been circulated to the boards of the multi-purpose community centre within the County with completed applications to be returned by 4pm on Friday, 13th January 2023.