Marian Harkin
Question:486. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to allocate funding for playgrounds under the CLÁR scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16990/20]
View answerTuesday, 21 July 2020
Questions (486)
Written answers
The CLÁR programme provides funding for small scale infrastructure projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population. The 2020 CLÁR programme, which was launched on 25th May last, has been tailored to help rural communities respond to COVID-19.
The Measure which previously funded the enhancement and development of playgrounds has received significant funding from my Department in recent years. Given the changed focus of the Scheme in 2020, this Measure has been replaced with the introduction of a new Measure for Community Recreation Areas where friends and families can socialise outdoors in safe, accessible, community spaces. This Measure will include support for items such as picnic benches/tables, outdoor covered seating or BBQ areas, public lighting, bicycle stands, and bandstand/stage areas. Play areas may form a part of these recreational areas but it is expected that projects will have a broader focus on safe community recreational and meeting spaces.
Details of the 2020 CLÁR programme are available on the Gov.ie website at: https://www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/91ba52-clar/#2020-clar-measures.