Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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2020. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of a CLÁR application by a club (details supplied). [30521/22]

Heather 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 and 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. 

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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2021. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the 2022 Community Activities Fund grants will be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30835/22]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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The €9m Community Activities Fund was launched in November 2021 to support community groups impacted by COVID-19. This Fund was allocated under the Department’s Community Enhancement Programme (CEP).

The fund was to support 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.

This once-off fund was administered locally by the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs). The 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.

There are currently no plans to run the Community Activities Fund again, however, it is hoped to run another CEP later in 2022.

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