Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 October 2021
52. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the next round of CLÁR funding will allow primary schools to apply for funding to develop playgrounds on their school grounds that can also be used by the wider public; the reason such developments have been excluded from the past two rounds of the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49904/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe CLÁR Programme provides funding under a number of different Measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population over a defined period. The Measures to be included in the CLÁR programme are reviewed and revised, as appropriate, each year.
The 2020 CLÁR programme was adapted to help rural communities respond to COVID-19 and did not included specific support for playgrounds.
The programme measures were reviewed in 2021 and included support for Outdoor Community Recreation Facilities, including playgrounds. A number of playgrounds located on primary school grounds were successful in being approved for funding under the programme this year. They were approved on the condition that they must be made available for wider community use outside of school hours.
I will review the Measures to be supported under the 2022 CLÁR programme in advance of the launch of the programme next year.
