CLÁR-Funding for Small-Scale Rural Projects

CLÁR (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais) is a targeted investment programme for rural areas that aims to provide funding for small infrastructural projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population and/or socio-economic disadvantage and geographic remoteness. The programme is delivered by the Department of Rural & Community Development & the Gaeltacht (DRCDG) and the funding assists in building the resilience of these rural communities.

The 2025 Programme for Government makes a commitment to carry out a comprehensive review of the eligible CLÁR areas. The analysis for this review has now been completed and the report outlining the new areas to be added is available here.

An additional 110 District Electoral Divisions (DED’s) are now designated CLÁR areas and these can be seen here.

The new national CLÁR area map and new CLÁR county maps reflecting these additions are available here.

The 2026 programme will be delivered through three separate Measures as follows:

Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities & Amenities

Measure 2: Mobility, Cancer Care, Community First Responder and Meals on Wheels Transport

Measure 3: ‘Our Living Islands’

Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities & Amenities.

For details on this measure, please carefully read the scheme outline below.

Measure 1 is administered by the Local Authorities therefore application and expressions of interest forms will be available from Local Authorities directly.

You must contact your Local Authority or County Council in relation to this.

In turn the Local Authority or County Council submits the selected applications to the Department (up to the maximum submission allowed) for consideration and assessment.

The Local Authorities will set their own deadline date for receipt of applications from prospective applicants to them. Please contact your Local Authority to find out their deadline date.

Measure 2: Mobility, Cancer Care, Community First Responder and Meals on
Wheels Transport.
For details on this measure, please carefully read the scheme outline below.
Measure 2 is administered directly by the Department.
The application form is below along with a document outlining the supporting
documents required.
Please complete the form in full and submit it with required supporting documents to CLAR@drcdg.gov.ie by 22nd May 2026.

Measure 3: Our Living Islands
For details on this measure, please carefully read the scheme outline below.
Measure 3 is administered directly by the Department.
The application form is below along with a document outlining the supporting
documents required.
Please complete the form in full and submit it with the required supporting documents to CLAR@drcdg.gov.ie by 3rd July 2026

To find all CLÁR approved funding to date visit this webpage: CLÁR Funding Approvals

National and county area funding maps can be found here: CLÁR Funding Area Maps.

If you have any questions about the CLÁR Scheme please contact: CLAR@drcdg.gov.ie