Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 February 2017
280. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the details of the administering of the CLÁR funding scheme for 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9204/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraCLÁR 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 funded over 650 projects under three separate measures which were administered by Local Authorities:
- Measure 1: Safety Measures for Schools and Community/Sports Facilities
- Measure 2: Playgrounds and Multi-Use Games Areas
- Measure 3: Local Access Roads.
I have secured an allocation of €5 million for CLÁR for 2017. Details of the particular measures to be funded will be announced shortly and I envisage that, following on from last year’s scheme, the measures will be administered mainly by the Local Authorities. Proposals will be invited from Local Authorities in line with the criteria which will be set out for the funded measures.
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.
