Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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804. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if funding will be made available to an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59077/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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This year's CLÁR programme was launched 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 funded under CLÁR 2022 were:

- Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities and Amenities

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

- Measure 3: ‘Our Islands’

I am happy to confirm that the particular organisation referred to by the Deputy was successful with their application for funding for a vehicle under Measure 2 of the 2022 CLÁR scheme. The programme funds the purchase of the vehicle but does not fund ongoing operational costs. It is explicit in the application process that this is a matter for the organisation.

Funding for staff costs could be considered eligible under the Community Services Programme. My Department and Pobal have been working on the restructuring of the Community Services Programme (CSP) in collaboration with a Consultative Group, representative of stakeholders, since the publication of the report on the independent review of the CSP by Indecon International Economic Consultants. It is anticipated that the transitioning of organisations currently supported under the programme into the redesigned programme will occur in January 2023. My Departments priority is to ensure continuity of services nationwide during this transitioning period.

Pending the transition to the new restructured programme, the scheme is still closed to new applications through the Expression of Interest process. It is however anticipated that the programme may open calls to address identified gaps in service delivery in late 2022, for new entrant Expressions of Interest applications to be submitted. If the organisation wishes to be contacted should a targeted call open later in 2022, they can provide relevant contact details to csp@drcd.gov.ie and we will record their details and notify them at the appropriate time.

In the interim, as open calls under the CSP can be a lengthy process, if the organisation in question currently requires immediate supports they should consider contacting their Local Development Company or Local Authority Local Community Development Committee, who may be able to provide some guidance on other supports available at this time. If the organisation would like further information on the restructuring of the CSP programme, the Department and Pobal have hosted an online information event with all CSP supported organisations the recording of which is available on Pobal's website. It should be noted that any additional new entrants will be considered in light of available budgets.

Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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805. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the options open to, and the correct procedures for, a charity (details supplied) to obtain State funding for the purchase of a new ambulance to be used for the benefit of the community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59182/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The CLÁR Programme provides funding for small-scale projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population over a defined period. Since the programme was relaunched in 2016, it has supported a wide range of measures. CLÁR has made significant investments at community level the length and breadth of the country. Funding of over €57 million has been approved for almost 2,100 projects since its re-launch

This year's CLÁR programme was launched 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 funded under CLÁR 2022 were:

- 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. Announcements on successful applications under all three measures have been made and these details can be found on my Department’s website.

Funding for vehicles such as the one mentioned by the Deputy were funded, if eligible, under Measure 2 of the CLÁR 2022 programme. The national organisation referred to by the Deputy has previously been approved funding for the purchase of two vehicles under the CLÁR programme.

The Measures to be included in the next CLÁR programme will be reviewed again in advance of the next launch.