Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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525. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of playgrounds which have been funded under the CLÁR programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26787/18]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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CLÁR provides funding for small scale capital projects in rural areas that have experienced significant levels of depopulation. The programme, which has a budget of €5 million this year, forms part of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development and will continue to support investments such as play areas for children, traffic calming measures around schools, and support for emergency responders.

A modest investment under the CLÁR scheme, such as the provision of a playground or play area, can have a significant impact on a rural community.

Funding for playgrounds and Multi-Use Games Areas (MUGAs) was provided under Measure 2 of the Programme in 2016 and 2017, with funding of €1,752,496 and €2,207,676 approved for these types of projects in 2016 and 2017 respectively.

The following table provides details of projects which have been supported under Measure 2 of CLÁR in each of these years:

Play Areas, Enhancement & MUGAS 2016 & 2017

Details of approved projects can be found on my Department's website – www.drcd.gov.ie.

The 2018 CLÁR programme was launched in March this year and once again includes a measure to develop play areas and MUGAs. Applications for funding under CLÁR 2018 are currently being assessed by my officials and I hope to be in a position to announce details of the successful applicants shortly.