I propose to take Questions Nos. 313, 314, 317 and 319 together.
My Department's mission is to promote rural and community development and to support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland, including Kildare. We do this by delivering a wide range of strategic interventions and investments throughout the country.
In 2022 my Department provided substantial support for rural and community development, including through investment in infrastructure and initiatives assisting the retention and attraction of jobs throughout the regions. This will continue in 2023. My Department has a strong budget available in 2023 to support delivery for rural and urban communities.
This includes a funding allocation of €7.5 million in 2023 for the Clár Programme. The Community Centre Investment Fund has an allocation of €20m for 2023, up from €15m last year. For 2023 the Local Improvement Scheme has a funding allocation of €12 million, up from €11 million in 2022, and €10.5 million in 2021. The Leader Programme has an allocation of €46million in 2023.
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund has an allocation of €60m for 2023. To date, 215 projects have been approved for funding of €395 million for projects costing €542 million throughout rural Ireland. The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme is another important area of investment with an allocation for 2023 of €16 million. The allocation for this Scheme has increased year on year since 2020, and the projects funded will be key enablers of the recently launched National Outdoor Recreation Strategy, Embracing Ireland's Outdoors. There is also €10m for the Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme which will also assist communities with increased costs.
Scheme priorities are reviewed at the end of each scheme year and this process is at an advanced stage in respect of planning for our 2023 schemes. As part of this process, I am anxious to ensure that the range of schemes offered by my Department continue to be structured in a way that ensures clear coherence, shows alignment with key policies such as Our Rural Future and the Town Centre First policy, and that deliver real and tangible benefits for communities.