Community fund opens for Inchicore and Kilmainham groups

Community groups and schools in Inchicore and Kilmainham have until 26 June to apply for money from a new community benefit fund. 

The fund was created as part of the council’s project of building An Droichead Órga, a big new housing development, on Emmet Road.

It's is being provided by Elliott Group, a council spokesperson said. That’s the contractor that won the €400 million tender to build the first big phase of the project, with 487 homes, a creche and a new library and community hub.

The fund was a requirement in the tender process, the spokesperson said. 

Work has been speeding along on the site, with the builder’s newsletter for May telling local residents to expect, among other works in the coming weeks, foundations to be put in for the community hub and library and residential blocks.

Once the whole scheme is built – expected at the moment to be in the first quarter of 2028 – it’s to have 578 cost-rental and social homes.

The council didn’t address a question sent on 23 April, asking if any money from the community fund had already been allocated.

But a note to councillors earlier this week said that a pot of €200,000 had been allocated for the fund. 

Of that, €5,000 has been allocated already to Core Youth services to mark its 40th anniversary, and €10,000 has been donated to St Patrick’s Athletic FC, it said.

“Both donations arose from earlier engagement with these groups during the tender stage,” the note said.

Going forward, a steering group has been set up to oversee the remaining €185,000 in the fund, with a subcommittee to assess and make decisions on the funding applications, it said.

Who can apply?

The catchment area for the fund basically covers Inchicore and Kilmainham, shows a map in the fund guidance note. So, the neighbourhoods nearest to the big development, north of the Grand Canal. 

Projects should be supported by their community, promote social inclusion, be accessible without discrimination, and demonstrate ambition and ability to deliver, the note says.

They must fall within at least one of four priority areas, it says – whether “building stronger communities”, “greener communities”, “recreation, sports, arts and culture” or “education & skills”. 

In particular, they are looking for projects that “aim to enhance the lives of children and young people or promote cross-generational engagement”. 

A trio of judges will shortlist applications: two from Elliott Group, and one from the council’s community development team for the area. 

A larger steering group – which includes community representatives, council officials and a councillor, as well as the builder – is to okay the winners.

The group is to consider geographical balance, variety, and relative disadvantage of an area, among other touchstones.

The guidance note and application form for the community benefit fund is here and here.