Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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65. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she recognises that communities in larger counties such as Cork are being disadvantaged by the application process under CLÁR, Measure 1; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26533/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department's CLÁR scheme is a targeted investment programme that provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects in rural areas that experience disadvantage and significant levels of de-population. This scheme has gone from strength to strength in recent years. Under the 2023 scheme I approved over €13 million for 303 projects. This is the largest allocation under the scheme since it was reintroduced in 2016.

The 2024 CLÁR programme was launched on the 12th April last. In advance of the launch of the CLÁR programme each year, I review the measures to be included in the scheme and make any adjustments as appropriate. For example, this year I have included support for meals on wheels services under the scheme.

At the same time, I believe that the current application process works very well for all CLÁR areas, including those located in larger counties such as Cork. Last year, Cork County Council submitted fifteen applications under measure 1 of the scheme and fourteen of these were funded. There were 3 applications for funding for vehicles in Cork under measure 2 of the scheme and all of these were funded. Funding of almost €4.2 million has been provided for 130 different projects in Cork since the scheme was reintroduced.

We also need to remember that there is now a broad suite of supports available from my Department for communities in rural areas to an extent that never existed previously. For example, I recently announced a further €50 million under the Community Recognition Fund for this year. Only last week I announced another round of funding worth €20 million under the Community Centre Investment Fund.

While I will continue to review the operation of the scheme each year, I believe the current model has served us well and is delivering for rural communities across Ireland.