Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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1333. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a school (details supplied) in Offaly is located an area eligible for Clár funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44615/24]

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.

A list of the CLÁR designated rural areas can be viewed on my Department's website at the following link CLÁR Funding Area Maps and District Electoral Division (DED) Lists (www.gov.ie)

I can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy is not situated in a CLÁR DED area and is therefore not located in an area eligible to apply for CLÁR funding.

I have, however, developed a suite of supports for communities in rural areas so that there are a range of different funding options available to rural communities, be they in CLÁR areas or otherwise. There is the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme and the Community Recognition Fund to name a few.

Many of these targeted funding schemes are administered through the local authority network. It is a matter for the local authorities to engage and collaborate with communities with a view to maximising the potential funding in areas, taking account of the various funds available throughout the year. They are well placed to assess the need locally.

Details on all of the funding programmes available can be found on my Department's website.