CLÁR is a targeted capital investment programme for rural areas which have experienced significant levels of depopulation.
I launched the 2018 CLÁR programme on the 15th March last, with an indicative allocation of €5 million for qualifying projects under the following measures:
Measure 1: Support for Schools/Community Safety Measures
Measure 2: Play Areas/Multi-Use Games Areas
Measure 3: First Response Support Measure
I can confirm that an application in respect of the school in question was received under Measure 1. Applications under this Measure were submitted by Local Authorities following consultation with communities in their CLÁR areas.
In general, applications were assessed on the basis of their eligibility under the scheme criteria and on the quality of the documentation supporting their proposals, as required in the scheme guidelines.
The application in question was not successful as it did not comply with the eligibility criteria indicated in the scheme guidelines. In particular, the application did not demonstrate that planning approval was in place for the proposed project, as required.