Louth Fine Gael TD Paula Butterly has welcomed the announcement of a €25 million Community Centre Investment Fund for 2026, aimed at upgrading and enhancing community centres across the country.
The funding, announced by Minister of State Jerry Buttimer, will support refurbishment works in existing centres nationwide, building on previous investment rounds which delivered over €80 million for almost 1,650 projects and more than €30 million for the construction of 12 new centres.
Under the 2026 scheme, grants ranging from €10,000 to €100,000 will be available for a variety of works, including roof repairs, energy upgrades, accessibility improvements, kitchen refurbishments, stage and lighting installations and other essential maintenance.
Funding will be available across two categories. Category 1 will support small scale improvements with grants between €10,000 and €25,000, covering up to 95 per cent of costs. Category 2 will support larger projects with grants between €25,001 and €100,000, covering up to 90 per cent of costs.
Applications will open on May 29 and close on July 13. Community groups are being encouraged to register early on the online portal and begin preparing their applications. A number of information sessions will also be held to support applicants.
Deputy Butterly said:
“I wholeheartedly welcome today’s announcement by Minister Jerry Buttimer. Community centres across Louth lie at the very heart of local life—they are places where people gather, learn, socialise, and support one another. This €25 million investment is another strong vote of confidence in our communities and will ensure that centres across the country can continue to thrive”
The previous rounds of the Community Centre Investment Fund have had a transformative impact, and this new funding will allow local groups to upgrade facilities, improve energy efficiency, and make essential repairs that many centres have long needed. I strongly encourage community groups to begin preparing their applications now and to engage fully with the upcoming information sessions. This is a significant opportunity to strengthen and future-proof community spaces for years to come.”
