Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the CLÁR programme and it is an opportunity for the Government to demonstrate its commitment to rural Ireland. Through the programme projects that might not ordinarily get funding have received it. Schools are very tight for funding and a lot of good work has been done in terms of safety and traffic calming measures, playgrounds and other things that are the hub of community living in rural Ireland.

The announcement of CLÁR funding always involves tight deadlines and I understand the lead-in time is fairly short with the closing date for applications being 5 May. Funding is dependent on Government finances and so on, but I ask for a longer lead-in time in order to give local authorities and community groups, in particular, an opportunity to carry out good preparatory work. I ask the Minister of State to continue his commitment to CLÁR funding and investment in such schemes.

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