Written answers

Thursday, 2 June 2022

Department of Rural and Community Development

Rural Schemes

Photo of Brendan GriffinBrendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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425. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of an application for Clár funding by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28678/22]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The CLÁR programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population over a defined period. I launched this year's programme in February with a total budget of €7 million.  This represents an increase of €1.5 million on the budget for the 2021 CLÁR programme.

The measures being funded under CLÁR 2022 are:

Measure 1:  Developing Community Facilities & Amenities

Measure 2: Mobility, Cancer Care and Community First Responders Transport

Measure 3: ‘Our Islands’

The 2022 CLÁR programme is now closed for all measures and the assessment process has commenced for all applications.

I can confirm that an application has been received from the School referred to by the Deputy under Measure 1 of the programme. 

I hope to make an announcement on the successful applicants under Measures 2 and 3 in the coming weeks and Measure 1 will be announced later this year. 

Photo of Brendan GriffinBrendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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426. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of an application for Clár funding by a club (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28679/22]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The CLÁR programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population over a defined period. I launched this year's programme in February with a total budget of €7 million.  This represents an increase of €1.5 million on the budget for the 2021 CLÁR programme.

The measures being funded under CLÁR 2022 are:

Measure 1:  Developing Community Facilities & Amenities

Measure 2: Mobility, Cancer Care and Community First Responders Transport

Measure 3: ‘Our Islands’

The 2022 CLÁR programme is now closed for all measures and the assessment process has commenced for all applications.

I can confirm that an application has been received from the group referred to by the Deputy under Measure 1 of the programme. 

I hope to make an announcement on the successful applicants under Measures 2 and 3 in the coming weeks and Measure 1 will be announced later this year. 

Photo of Brendan GriffinBrendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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427. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the up-to-date position regarding applications under the Community Activities Fund; when the next allocations are due. [28683/22]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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In November 2021, the €9m Community Activities Fund was launched to support community groups impacted by COVID-19.

The fund supports groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with their running costs such as utility or insurance bills, as well as with improvements to their facilities. 

Groups were also able to use the funding to carry out necessary repairs and to purchase equipment within their community, such as tables and chairs, tools and signage, laptops and printers, lawnmowers, canopies and training equipment.

The once-off fund is administered locally by the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs). The Community Activities Fund is now closed to applicants. Details of successful projects from each LCDC will be available on the Department’s website at www.gov.ie/drcd

The Community Activities Fund was allocated under the Department’s Community Enhancement Programme (CEP).  This programme provides small grants to community groups to enhance facilities in disadvantaged areas. The 2021 CEP is now closed and it is hoped to run another CEP later in 2022, however, details of this programme are not yet confirmed.

I encourage all organisations to check my department’s website www.gov.ie/drcdand to keep in touch with their Local Community Development Committee for information on funding opportunities.

Photo of Brendan GriffinBrendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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428. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the town and village renewal scheme will close for new applications; the amounts that are available under the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28687/22]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) is part of a range of measures to support the revitalisation of rural Ireland. The programme is funded under Project Ireland 2040 as part of “Our Rural Future”. 

The Scheme is administered on behalf of my Department by the Local Authorities. Since the introduction of the Scheme in 2016, almost €113 million has been approved for more than 1,400 projects across the country.

I launched the 2022 Town & Village Renewal Scheme last Friday, 27th May. As was the case last year, there will be a strong emphasis on projects which tackle vacancy and dereliction by bringing landmark town centre buildings back to life for use as multi-purpose community spaces or as remote working spaces. 

The closing date for receipt of applications under the main measures of the 2022 Scheme is 22ndJuly 2022. The minimum grant which is available is €20,000. The maximum level of grant funding available is €500,000 in respect of one application from each local authority. A maximum of €250,000 will apply in respect of five applications.

There is a Project Development Measure (funding up to €50,000) again this year, with local authorities now able to submit two applications under the measure. In line with the commitments under "Our Rural Future" I am also introducing a new Marketing Scheme Measure (up to €50,000) to fund marketing campaigns targeted at attracting remote workers and mobile talent to individual counties. Each local authority will be permitted to submit one application for funding of up to €50,000. 

This year I have also introduced a new Building Acquisition Measure that will fund the purchase of vacant or derelict buildings for use as community facilities. The measure will provide up to €400,000 to each local authority to purchase vacant and derelict buildings for future development as community assets. This measure will close to applications on the 24th June 2022.

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