Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 July 2017
155. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if an application for a grant by a group (details supplied) pursuant to the CLÁR programme in 2017 has been approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31823/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2017 CLÁR programme was launched on 31 March last, with a closing date of 5 May. The programme provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects in disadvantaged rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population.
Funding for the 2017 CLÁR programme was available this year under four separate Measures:
Measure 1: Support for School and Community Safety Measures
Measure 2: Play Areas
Measure 3: Targeted Community Infrastructure
Measure 4: First Responder Supports
In total, more than 500 applications were received across the four Measures to the value of €15 million.
Successful projects were announced over the last few weeks, with a total of just under €7 million allocated to approximately 230 projects across four different thematic Measures. I can confirm that the Department received an application in respect of the project referred to by the Deputy and that the application was successful.
The CLÁR programme is an important part of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development, and makes a huge contribution to supporting the most depopulated areas in rural Ireland. Over 800 projects have now been approved for funding since the scheme was re-launched last year.
