Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2019
2610. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the position regarding the CLÁR programme; the number of applications from County Donegal made to the scheme to date; when he will make the necessary allocations under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32169/19]
View answerThe CLÁR programme provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects in disadvantaged rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population. Since I relaunched the programme in 2016, more than 1,200 projects have been approved funding of almost €27 million.
I launched the 2019 CLÁR programme on 28th February last, with applications invited under three separate measures:
Measure 1: Support for "School and Community Safety Measures",
Measure 2: Support for "Play Areas and Multi-Use Games Areas", and
Measure 3: Funding for "Community Wellbeing Support" .
Community Wellbeing Support covers the provision of equipment and vehicles for voluntary first-response organisations, as well as the provision of specialist vehicles to bring people to cancer-care centres and other community-care services. The measure may also provide funding for sensory gardens.
The closing date for the 2019 CLÁR programme was 30th April, and almost 500 applications were received by my Department. A total of 31 applications were received from Donegal.
I recently announced the following funding allocations for Co. Donegal under the CLÁR programme:
- Measure 3a: First Response Support - €54,498 for 5 groups.
- Measure 3b: Mobility and Cancer Care Transport - €44,506 for 1 group.
Details of the successful projects can be found at: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/f9051a-clar-funding-2019/.
I hope to make further funding announcements in respect of the 2019 CLÁR programme shortly.
