Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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564. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the funding process for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41654/17]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The 2017 CLÁR programme was launched on 31 March last, with a closing date of 5 May. The programme provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects in disadvantaged rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population. 

Funding for the 2017 CLÁR programme was 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

More than 500 applications were received across the four Measures, and a total of €7 million was allocated to 231 successful projects. 

Applications were assessed on the basis of their eligibility under the scheme criteria and on the quality of the documentation supporting their proposals. 

I can confirm that an application was received under Measure 1 of the programme from the school referred to by the Deputy.  While full documentation in support of the application was not provided as required by the scheme criteria, the project was, in any event, ineligible as the specific purpose for which the funding was sought was not a fundable intervention as outlined in the criteria for the CLÁR programme.  The application was therefore unsuccessful.  

All funding available under the 2017 CLÁR programme has been allocated. However, I will keep under review the type of projects which can be considered eligible for funding under future rounds of the CLÁR programme.