Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 June 2019
849. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding allocated for the CLÁR programme in 2019; the expenditure to date under each scheme by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23508/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe CLÁR programme provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects in disadvantaged rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population. Since I relaunched the programme in 2016, more than 1,200 projects have been approved funding of almost €27 million.
I launched the 2019 CLÁR programme on 28 February last, with an indicative allocation of €5 million. Applications were invited under three separate measures:
Measure 1: Support for "School and Community Safety Measures",
Measure 2: Support for "Play Areas and Multi-Use Games Areas", and
Measure 3: Funding for "Community Wellbeing Support" .
Community Wellbeing Support covers the provision of equipment and vehicles for voluntary first-response organisations, as well as the provision of specialist vehicles to bring people to cancer-care centres and other community-care services. The measure will also provide funding for sensory gardens.
The closing date for the 2019 CLÁR programme was the 30th April, and almost 500 applications were received by my Department.
My officials are currently assessing all of the applications received.
