Joe Cooney (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

71. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development when he will announce the next tranche of funding under the local improvement scheme; if he will increase the €40 million allocation provided nationwide in 2024; if he will increase the amount of funding provided to County Clare in order to address the very significant backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25827/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Local Improvement Scheme is an important support for rural communities in improving non-public rural roads and laneways not usually maintained by local authorities. Since its establishment in 2017, the government has provided almost €170 million to local authorities under the scheme.

In April 2024, €40 million in funding was announced across all local authorities to cover 2024 and 2025, with Clare County Council allocated a total of €2.079 million. This brings the total scheme funding allocated to Clare since 2017 to €8.38 million.

While the Department provides funding for the scheme, it is administered by local authorities who are responsible for selecting and prioritising roads for works under the scheme, and for managing waiting lists of eligible roadways. It should be noted that many factors affect the ability of local authorities to complete works including resources and capacity and the varying conditions of the roads awaiting repair under the scheme.

There remains strong demand nationally for this scheme, and accordingly base funding has increased year on year since 2021. The Programme for Government commits to supporting rural communities, including increasing funding under the Local Improvement Scheme. My Department is engaging with the ongoing review of the National Development Plan with a view to increasing the capital allocations for schemes such as the Local Improvement Scheme.

I will also continue to monitor capital expenditure across my Department as the year progresses, with the potential to utilise any savings that may arise elsewhere for schemes such as the Local Improvement Scheme.

John Clendennen (Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

73. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development when he expects to announce successful projects under CLÁR for County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25968/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The CLÁR Programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas.

This programme has gone from strength to strength in recent years. Almost €14 million was approved for over 320 projects across the country under last year's scheme. This was the largest allocation under the scheme since it was reintroduced in 2016.

I launched the 2025 CLÁR programme on 4th April last. Applications were invited under three separate measures.

Measure 1 involves the largest level of funding and supports the development of community facilities and amenities.

Measure 2 provides funding for vehicles for the transport of people with reduced mobility and to bring patients to designated cancer treatment centres. It also funds vehicles for search and rescue organisations and meals on wheels services.

The third and final measure provides tailored funding for offshore island communities.

I have made a number of changes to the scheme for 2025. This includes an increase in the level of the grant available for Measure 1 from €50,000 to €65,000, and also the new option for each local authority to submit 2 projects of up to €100,000 for larger scale projects.

All of these measures are still open for applications. Measure 1 applications are submitted via local authorities and must be with my Department by June 13th, 2025. Applications under Measures 2 of the scheme should be submitted directly to my Department by tomorrow, May 23rd and Measure 3 applications must also be with my Department by June 13th.

Following these closing dates, the applications will be reviewed by my officials. The successful projects, including those in Co Offaly, will be announced later this year once that review process is complete.