Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 March 2017
431. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if additional money for the CLÁR programme will be provided for all roads outside national schools in south Monaghan that are substandard; and if money will be provided to tar outside all the schools in order that the money from CLÁR is spent effectively. [11929/17]
View answerCLÁR 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.
In 2016, the CLÁR programme provided funding to over 650 projects around the country, including for safety measures such as pedestrian crossings and safety lights close to schools in CLÁR areas in Co. Monaghan. However, the programme is not intended to displace mainstream funding resources which are available to bodies such as the Local Authorities for matters such as general road improvements.
I have secured an allocation of €5 million for CLÁR for 2017 and details of the particular measures to be funded will be announced shortly. My objective for the 2017 programme will be to maximise the impact of the funding which is available, for the benefit of communities in CLÁR areas.
