Robert Troy
Ceist:2379. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the reason funding was not awarded through CLÁR to a group (details supplied). [33443/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 24 July 2018
Ceisteanna (2379)
Freagraí scríofa
CLÁR is a targeted capital investment programme for rural areas which have experienced significant levels of depopulation.
I launched the 2018 CLÁR programme on 15th March last, with an indicative allocation of €5 million for qualifying projects under the following measures:
Measure 1: Support for Schools/Community Safety Measures
Measure 2: Play Areas/Multi-Use Games Areas (MUGAs)
Measure 3: First Response Support Measure
In recent weeks, 310 successful projects were approved for funding, with a total of €8.7 million allocated across the three CLÁR measures.
In general, applications were assessed on the basis of their eligibility under the scheme criteria and on the quality of the documentation supporting their proposals, as outlined in the scheme guidelines.
I can confirm that an application in respect of the school referred to by the Deputy was received from the relevant Local Authority under Measure 2. However, this application was not successful as it did not comply with the eligibility criteria. In particular, applicants were advised that Play Areas/MUGAs funded under the Measure must be available for use by the wider community after normal school hours and during school holidays, etc. In this way, the facilities in question will offer the maximum benefit to the community and to visitors to the area.