COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE

Monday, February 27, 2023

QUESTION NO. 9

QUESTION: Councillor K. Mahon

"To ask the manager to update on the review of Community Centres and to indicate when this will come back to Area Committees' or full Council for further discussion?"

REPLY:

Following a survey and review of community centre governance, operations and funding, the Community Department has begun to respond to the identified needs of local boards of management.

Firstly, the new Community Centre Management Support Fund was launched in December 2022 offering all multi-purpose community centres in the County the opportunity to apply for financial supports for: ongoing centre running costs, employment and training costs, and community events.  These supports are offered within a streamlined funding process that should minimise administrative burdens and which is linked to strategic planning and local capacity of community centre boards of management.  This funding follows the significant additional funding provided for community centre governance in the Council's annual budget with thirty-three applications received are being assessed with a report to go to the Council Meeting in March.  

In addition, a programme of governance support and training is being rolled out with ongoing training for the Council's own Community Department staff which will be followed by delivery of standard governance training and additional targeted supports for boards of management of community centres based on their specific skillsets and requirements.  The schedule of training for boards of management will be communicated to the various Area Committees in advance of roll out.