Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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69. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the 2017 CLÁR programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27575/17]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The 2017 CLÁR programme was launched on 31^stMarch 2017 and will provide funding for small scale infrastructural projects in disadvantaged rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population. Funding is available this year under four separate Measures:

Measure 1:Support for School and Community Safety Measures

Measure 2:Play Areas

Measure 3: Targeted Community Infrastructure

Measure 4: First Responder Supports

Applications under Measures 1, 2 and 3 were submitted through the Local Authorities, while Measure 4 was targeted at voluntary organisations involved in emergency rescue or first-response efforts. The closing date for applications under the 2017 CLÁR programme was 5^thMay 2017 and over 500 applications were received across the four measures.

Successful projects were announced over the last few weeks, with a total of just under €7 million allocated to approximately 230 projects across the four Measures. Details of the approved projects are available on the Rural Affairs pages of the website www.ahrrga.gov.ie. Payments will, in general, be made to the successful applicants on a phased basis when the projects have commenced and have made a satisfactory level of progress.

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. Over 800 projects have now been approved for funding since the scheme was re-launched last year.