Minister Calleary announces expansion of areas eligible for CLÁR funding and launches CLÁR 2026 programme
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From: Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht
- Published on: 10 March 2026
- Last updated on: 10 March 2026
- 110 additional areas added across 20 counties
- For the first time, over 1 million people are now eligible for support in CLÁR areas
- €12 million available for projects under CLÁR 2026
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, has today (Tuesday, 10 March 2026) announced an expansion of the CLÁR programme. This follows a commitment given in the Programme for Government to carry out a comprehensive review of the eligibility criteria of CLÁR with a view to expanding the programme to rural areas which were previously ineligible.
That review was completed by the All-Island Research Observatory in Maynooth University. The Pobal HP Deprivation Index and the CSO Urban and Rural Life in Ireland classification were used to identify areas classified as highly rural and remote while also experiencing socio-economic disadvantage.
The review has resulted in the addition of new Electoral Divisions (EDs) in 20 counties, including 10 or more new EDs in Donegal, Limerick, Tipperary and, for the first time, Wexford. One Electoral Division (ED) was also added in Kildare for the first time.
Announcing the details of the expansion today, Minister Calleary said:
“I am pleased to announce the 110 new Electoral Divisions with a population of nearly 150,000 people that are now designated as CLÁR areas. For the first time in its history, there will be over 1 million people living in parts of Ireland that are eligible to apply for this important funding”.
A copy of the report completed on the expansion of CLÁR areas together with updated county maps is available here.
The Minister also announced that the 2026 CLÁR programme, with an increased budget of €12 million, is now open for applications.
Minister of State Buttimer added:
“The CLÁR programme has proven its value to rural communities all across the country over the years, and I know that community groups will continue to make great use of this funding again this year. The range of projects that can be funded under CLÁR continues to be one of its strengths, and today’s announcement will be welcome news in many rural communities.”
Under the initiative, funding will be provided across three measures:
Measure 1
Development of community facilities and amenities including sports facilities, youth clubs, teenage spaces, playgrounds, sensory gardens, walking tracks and much more. There are new items eligible for support this year under Measure 1, including support for traffic safety measures with a particular link to community facilities or events, and for initiatives aimed at reducing light pollution in rural communities.
Measure 2
Support for vehicles for community transport used to transport cancer patients or persons with reduced mobility, for community first responders and for meals on wheels organisations.
Measure 3
Tailored funding for our offshore island communities under the specific ‘Our Living Islands’ measure.
Speaking about the opening Minister Calleary said:
“I was delighted to secure an increase in funding last year’s Budget which now brings the allocation for 2026 to €12 million. The CLÁR programme continues to assist in building resilient and vibrant communities. To further support Gaeltacht areas, local authorities will be permitted to submit two extra applications this year in respect of a community facility in a Gaeltacht area under Measure 1.
“I very much look forward to announcing the successful projects across all measures later in the year, including in respect of the new areas added to the scheme this year.”
Minister Calleary concluded:
“Community groups should contact their local authority in respect of applications for community facilities under measure 1.
“Organisations can apply directly to my Department for projects under Measure 2 & 3. My officials will be providing capacity building seminars for community organisations interested in applying for Measure 2 and separately for Measure 3 on Wednesday March 25th. Interested organisations can register their interest at CLAR@drcdg.gov.ie.”
Full details of the scheme and measures to be funded are available on the Department’s website.
Notes
CLAR review
The CLÁR review was completed by the All-Island Research Observatory in Maynooth University. Under the methodology applied, non-CLÁR Electoral Division (EDs) were identified as potential candidates for inclusion where they contained “Small Areas” classified as being either ‘disadvantaged’, ‘very disadvantaged’ or ‘extremely disadvantaged’ on the Pobal HP Deprivation Index and where the same ED also contained “Small Areas” classed as being ‘highly rural/remote areas’ as defined by the CSO Urban and Rural Life in Ireland classification.
In addition, after the initial exercise, EDs not connected to urban areas that were fully enclosed by existing CLÁR areas and/or newly identified CLÁR EDs were also included. This prevented the creation of rural isolated “island” EDs surrounded by CLÁR areas. Full details, including a list of the new EDs, are in the report published here.
CLÁR 2026
The CLÁR (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais) programme provides funding for small scale projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population. There are now designated areas in all counties except Dublin.
A new national map of CLÁR areas, together with updated individual county maps, is available here.
The measures being funded under the 2026 CLÁR programme are:
Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities and Amenities (applications via local authorities). The level of funding for community facilities and amenities is €65,000, with an option for local authorities to apply for funding of up to €100,000 for 2 larger scale projects.
Measure 2: Mobility, Cancer Care, Community First Responder and Meals on Wheels Transport (applications direct to DRCDG). Maximum funding of €50,000 or €100,000 depending on vehicle type, with provision for extra funding for solar panels or EV charging points where electrical vehicles purchased.
Measure 3: 'Our Living Islands' (applications direct to DRCDG). Maximum funding levels of €65,000 for community facilities and €100,000 for vehicles, with provision for extra funding for solar panels or EV charging points where electrical vehicles purchased.