Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 April 2023
101. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the anticipated budget per county for the CLÁR Programme in 2023; when the scheme will close for applications; if car parking at sports clubs will be eligible; if stands, terraces and access paths will be covered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19136/23]
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 depopulation over a defined period.
Since the CLÁR Programme was relaunched in 2016, it has supported a wide range of measures. Funding of over €57 million has been approved for almost 2,100 projects since its relaunch.
I launched CLÁR 2023 on 29 March 2023 and the measures to be funded are:
• Developing Community Facilities and Amenities (Measure 1)
• Mobility, Cancer Care and Community First Responders Transport (Measure 2)
• ‘Our Islands’ (Measure 3)
Measure 1 of the CLÁR programme includes funding for car parks at community facilities and improvements to spectator stands at local sports grounds. However, footpaths are not eligible under this year's Programme. The Measure is being administered at a local level by the local authorities. Up to 15 project applications may be selected by the local authority for consideration by my Department. All local authorities are due to submit their applications to my Department by 6th June 2023.
I am pleased to say that I secured an increased CLÁR allocation under Budget 2023 of €7.85 million. There is no budget per county at this time. The amount allocated to each county will depend on a number of factors including, the allocation model chosen following assessment of all the applications received, the number of applications received and the quality of applications.
