Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

262. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the next CLÁR funding recipients will be announced for County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55796/23]

Heather 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 depopulation over a defined period.

So far this year I have approved funding of over €6.7 million for 150 projects across the CLÁR areas. I was pleased to announce the approval of funding of over €2 million for 37 projects under Measure 2 in August of this year. This included support for six projects in County Kerry.

Earlier this month I approved funding of over €4.7 million for 113 sports infrastructure projects nationwide. Included in these approvals were four projects in County Kerry.

I expect to announce further approvals under Measure 1 (Developing Community Facilities & Amenities) and Measure 3 (Our Islands) shortly.

A full list of approved projects can be found on my Departments website at: www.gov.ie/en/collection/1c20c-clar-2023-funding-approvals/

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

263. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development how long recipients of the most recent tranche of CLÁR funding will have to draw down the funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55797/23]

Heather 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 depopulation over a defined period.

CLÁR is designed to support a vast array of projects that will benefit people of all ages and abilities such as astro-turf facilities, playgrounds, sensory gardens, outdoor cinemas, walking tracks and community gyms.

Since the programme was relaunched in 2016, it has supported a wide range of measures with over €65.7 million being approved for over 2,250 projects throughout rural Ireland. So far this year I have approved funding of over €6.7 million for 150 projects across the CLÁR areas. I expect to make further announcements under Measure 1 and Measure 3 in the near future.

Projects approved under Measure 1 - Developing Community Facilities & Amenities and Measure 3 - ‘Our Islands’ should draw down approved funds by March 28th, 2025.

Projects funded under Measure 2 - Mobility, Cancer Care and Community First Responders Transport have until July 26th, 2024 to draw down approved funding.