Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2020
901. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Community and Rural Development and the Islands her plans to reintroduce measure 1V of the CLÁR scheme in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25102/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe CLÁR programme provides funding for small scale projects in rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population. As the Deputy is aware, no funding was available for new applications under the programme between 2010 and 2016 due to constraints on the public finances.
Since the programme was relaunched in 2016 it has supported a range of different Measures, including the First Response Support Measure which I understand is the Measure referred to in the Deputy's question.
The First Response Support Measure provided funding for vehicles and equipment directly involved in emergency rescue or first response efforts. Funding of approximately €2.8m was provided for 144 projects under the First Response Measure from 2017 to 2019.
The Measures to be included in the CLÁR Programme are reviewed and revised each year. In 2020, new Measures have been introduced to support CLÁR communities to deal with the impact of COVID-19 in their areas. As a result, funding is not being provided for the First Response Support Measure in 2020.
I will keep the position in respect of funding for the First Response Support Measure under review in 2021.
