Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The CLÁR programme is an important part of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development and makes a huge contribution to supporting the most depopulated areas in rural Ireland. Almost 900 projects have been approved for funding since I relaunched the scheme in the second half of 2016.

The programme has funded a range of measures over the past two years, including funding for safety measures for schools and community facilities, play areas and measures to support first responder groups. I intend to launch a new round of CLÁR funding this year and have secured an allocation of €5 million for the programme in my Department's Estimates for 2018. I am currently finalising the details of the measures to be funded this year and hope to be in a position to announce the details of the scheme over the coming weeks.

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