Community centres in Kildare can avail of funding for essential works

Kildare South Fine Gael TD and Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, Martin Heydon has said that Community centres in Kildare can apply for funding to support upgrade and refurbishment works.

Minister Heydon said: “This is a welcome announcement which will really benefit community centres in Kildare, which are used by the whole community.”

The Community Centres Investment Fund 2026 follows the success of similar schemes in 2022 and 2024 which provided funding of over €80 million for almost 1,650 community centre refurbishment projects nationally, including many in Kildare such as in Castledermot, Kilcullen, Kildare Town, Rathangan, Nurney and Newbridge.”

The scheme provides investment for upgrade and refurbishments works on existing community centres under two categories:

• Category 1 for minor works with grant aid up to €25,000

• Category 2 for larger works with grant aid up to €100,000;

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All applicants must register as 'users' on the online portal here in 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 July 13. 

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

“A range of activities including Irish dancing lessons for children or art classes for retired people take place in community centres in Kildare which prove they’ve always been a central focal point in every town and village for people to come together, learn a new skill, practice a hobby or just socialise with others,” Minister Heydon said.

Concluding, Minister Heydon said: “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. Any group that requires help or assistance in applying for the grant can contact me at martin.heydon@oireachtas.ie”