Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

11 o’clock

The 2017 CLÁR programme provided funding under four measures. Measure 1 provided support for safety measures around schools and community facilities, measure 2 supported play areas, measure 3 concerned targeted community infrastructure needs and measure 4 provided first response supports. My Department received more than 500 applications across the four measures.

All applications received were assessed by my officials to determine whether they were eligible under the scheme criteria and whether all necessary supporting documentation, as required in the guidelines, was provided.  Unfortunately, a significant number of project applications that my Department received from Donegal County Council under measures 1 to 3 failed to meet the minimum standards for eligibility, or in the supporting documentation required.

The CLÁR programme has historically contained some measures where groups, and in some cases individuals, applied directly to the Department for funding, depending on the measure concerned. In 2017, applications for funding under measure 4 were submitted directly to my Department by groups involved as first responders in emergency situations.

I launched the 2018 CLÁR programme on 15 March with an indicative allocation of €5 million. The closing date for applications was 30 April.

My officials will look at all applications to ensure they are eligible under the scheme's criteria and that all the supporting documentation requested has been provided. If, after these checks, the value of qualifying applications is greater than the funding available, my officials will have regard to any prioritisation given to the projects by the county councils or other organisations which submit applications.

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