Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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625. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she has any plans to review the CLÁR areas in Cavan to include areas (details supplied) not currently included; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41233/23]

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.

The areas in each county that are currently eligible under CLÁR can be found on my Department's website. As the Deputy will be aware, the majority of County Cavan is currently considered to be eligible for CLÁR funding.

A review of CLÁR areas nationally was undertaken in 2021 using the 2016 Census of Population data. The review examined the most recent changes in population patterns throughout the country on the basis of this 2016 data. It also examined the approach to developing the existing CLÁR designations, which is based on 2002 data, and considered how changes in population since then impacted on designations.

From the review it is clear that many areas have seen population growth in the relevant period rather than decline. Indeed the most recent census data published by the Central Statistics Office points to population growth across all counties since 2016.

This population growth suggests that there would be very few additional areas that should now be designated as CLÁR areas using the initial criteria developed for the programme.

The details of the review continue to be considered by my Department in advance of any decisions being taken on changing the areas throughout Ireland which are to be designated as eligible for CLÁR.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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626. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide details of all the funding schemes currently open to community groups by her Department ; if she will outline other schemes available also and give details of when they will open in 2023/2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41234/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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There are a number of funding streams and supports available to community groups, both through schemes supporting implementation of Our Rural Future, and schemes supporting communities throughout the country. Details of schemes, including information on open schemes, can be found on my Departments website. The details requested by the Deputy, regarding funding schemes provided by my Department to community groups are set out below. Where relevant opening dates are provided for schemes. Where schemes have recently closed, the Department will make information on the next funding round available on its website in due course.

• The Seniors Alert Scheme which encourages community support for vulnerable older people in our communities through the provision of personal monitored alarms to enable them to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. Funding is available under the scheme towards the purchase, by registered community-based organisations, of personal alarms or pendants. This scheme is open to applications at all times.
• The Scheme to Strengthen and Support Volunteeringprogramme has a budget of €6.5 million in 2023. This fund supports the network of 29 Volunteer Centres across the country as well as a number of national volunteer-supporting organisations including Volunteer Ireland, Young Social Innovators and Boardmatch. Funding is allocated to relevant bodies on an annual basis.
• The 2023 Town and Village Renewal Scheme is currently open (the closing date for receipt of applications is 10 November 2023). The Scheme is administered through local authorities on behalf of my Department, who work closely with local communities and businesses to develop proposals that can make a lasting impact in revitalising rural towns and villages across the country. Local authorities are invited to submit up to 5 applications up to the value of €1.5m per local authority.
• The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme provides funding for the development and enhancement of outdoor recreational infrastructure such as walking trails, cycleways, blue ways and bridleways throughout rural Ireland. The 2023 scheme was launched in June with an allocation of €16 million. The deadline for applications under Measures 2 and 3 is 27 October, 2023. Community groups who wish to put forward an expression of interest under these measures should contact their relevant local authority regarding their proposal. Subject to budgetary discussions and available funding, an announcement regarding a future ORIS launch will be forthcoming in 2024.
• In March, I announced funding of €20 million for the 2023 Community Centre Investment Fund. The fund is designed to support communities with ‘shovel-ready’ projects on green or brownfield sites to build new community centres. The deadline for receipt of applications was 3 July. These applications are currently being assessed by the Department and it is expected that successful projects will be announced in Quarter One of 2024. I am committed to ensuring that there is clear support in place for community centres across a range of schemes, and decisions in relation to any further iterations of the Community Centre Investment Fund will be taken in the context of the upcoming annual budgetary process.
• The CLÁRprogramme provides funding for small-scale projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population over a defined period. Funding of €7.85 million has been allocated for the 2023 CLÁR programme that opened in March and is now closed for receipt of applications. The next iteration of the programme is expected to be launched in 2024, subject to budgetary availability.
• The LEADER Programme is a key intervention of Our Rural Future, which aims to deliver a range of actions to rural communities over the lifetime of the policy. €250 million has been made available for the LEADER programme for the period 2021 to 2027. This is comprised of €70 million for the transitional period 2021 to 2022 and an additional €180 million from 2023 to 2027, thus maintaining the level of funding provided for the 2014-2020 programming period. Two successful Local Action Groups (LAGs) have been recently appointed to deliver the 2023-2027 LEADER programme, my Department’s focus now is to complete the selection of the remaining LAGs to ensure a timely and smooth transition from the 2014-2020 programme.
• The Community Services Programme(CSP) supports over 420 community-based organisations, to provide local services through a social enterprise model. CSP provides an annual co-funding contribution towards each full-time equivalent (FTE) position being supported, and, where warranted, towards the cost of employing a manager.The call for applications for funding of additional staff posts in existing CSP funded organisations is currently open. The deadline for submissions is 29 September 2023.
• The Community Enhancement Programme(CEP) is targeted towards enhancing facilities in disadvantaged communities. It provides grants to community groups. The current iteration of the CEP, i.e., the Community Support Fund, is now closed to applicants. Details of the successful projects are available on my Department's website www.drcd.gov.ie . While there is likely to be a new iteration of the CEP in late 2023, the exact scope is yet to be determined.