Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

CLÁR is a targeted investment programme for rural areas providing funding for small infrastructural projects in areas that have experienced significant depopulation. While often modest in nature, these interventions play a very significant role in improving the lives of the people who live in CLÁR areas. I re-opened the CLÁR programme in 2016, following its closure for new applications in 2010, and provided funding for over 650 projects in areas such as safety measures at rural schools and community facilities, the provision of school and community play areas and support for access roads to public amenities.

Building on the success of 2016, I launched the 2017 CLÁR programme on 31 March last, with an allocation of €5 million. Funding is available under four different Measures. Measure 1 will provide support for safety initiatives such as warning signs, road markings and footpaths in the environs of schools and community facilities. Measure 2 will support the enhancement and development of play areas in schools and communities. Measure 3 will support innovative community-based projects that do not qualify for assistance under other public schemes. Measure 4 will provide support to voluntary organisations that provide first response services in rural areas for the replacement or upgrading of equipment or vehicles used for emergency response.

Full details of the 2017 CLÁR scheme are available on the rural development pages of my Department’s website. The closing date for applications under the 2017 CLÁR programme is 5 May 2017. All applications received by the closing date will be assessed by my Department and I expect to be in a position to announce the successful applicants by the end of May.

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