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CLÁR Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 February 2018

Wednesday, 21 February 2018

Questions (47)

Peter Burke

Question:

47. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the CLÁR programme will reopen; the budget of the programme for 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8516/18]

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Written answers

The CLÁR programme (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais) is a targeted investment programme which provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects in rural areas which have suffered the greatest levels of population decline.

The programme was originally launched in 2004, but was closed to new applications in 2009. I announced the reopening of the CLÁR Programme in October 2016.  CLÁR 2016 provided funding for three measures, Safety Measures for Schools and Community/Sports Facilities, Playgrounds and Multi-Use Games Areas (MUGA) and Local Access Roads.   Following an assessment of the applications received I announced funding of €8.24 million to 651 successful projects under the programme in December 2016.  

The 2017 CLÁR programme was launched in March 2017 and The allocation for CLÁR for 2017 was €5 million and funding was available under the following measures:

Measure 1:   Support for Schools/Community Safety Measures

Measure 2:   Play Areas

Measure 3:   Targeted Community Infrastructure Needs

Measure 4:   First Response Support Measure

Applications under Measures 1, 2 and 3 were submitted through the Local Authorities. Measure 4 was targeted at voluntary organisations involved in emergency rescue or first response efforts. The Department received 438 applications under Measures 1, 2 and 3 and 81 applications under Measure 4.

In May 2017 I announced €1.21 million to the successful applicants (organisations) under measure 4 First Response SupportThis was a very successful measure that provided support for organisations that are involved in a voluntary capacity to respond to emergency situations in CLÁR areas all over Ireland. 

I subsequently announced €768K in funding for measure 3 Targeted Community Infrastructure.  This funding provided support for the renovation and upgrade of community infrastructure.

I also announced €2.7M for successful applicants under Measure 1 Safety Measures for Schools and €2.2M for measure 2 Play Areas. This brings the total funding allocated under CLÁR in 2017 to €6.91M for 231 projects across the 4 measures.

The CLÁR programme is an important part of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development, and makes a huge contribution to supporting the most depopulated areas in rural Ireland.  Over 800 projects have now been approved for funding since the scheme was re-launched last year.

I have secured an allocation of €5m for CLÁR for 2018. I propose to launch a further round of the CLÁR programme in March and I will be considering the measures to be supported over the coming weeks.

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