Press release
Minister Humphreys approves €1.3 million for mobility and cancer care transport services in rural Ireland
From Department of Rural and Community Development
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Rural and Community Development
Published on
Last updated on
26 projects to benefit under CLÁR programme
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys today announced almost €1.3 million to fund vehicles for 26 community-based organisations.
The vehicles will be used to provide essential transport services for people with mobility issues.
The funding is provided under the Mobility and Cancer Care Transport Measure of the CLÁR programme.
It will support voluntary organisations that provide, free of charge:
Examples of some of the organisations awarded funding today include :
Announcing details of the funding, Minister Humphreys said :
“I am delighted to continue my Department’s support under the CLÁR programme for voluntary organisations that provide transport services to some of the most vulnerable people in our society. This funding, which I have increased by over 40 per cent compared to last year, will provide suitable vehicles that will enable people living in designated rural areas to access vital treatment and medical services. The organisations receiving support under the scheme provide invaluable services in their communities and I am pleased to be able to support their efforts.”
Minister Humphreys added :
“One of the strategic objectives of Project Ireland 2040 is to strengthen rural economies and communities. The CLÁR programme is helping to improve the quality of life in rural communities and is an important part of my Department’s integrated investment in rural development.”
Today’s announcement is in addition to funding of €4.5 million for 160 projects which Minister Humphreys announced in November under CLÁR for school and community safety measures, community recreation areas, and Meals on Wheels services.
The CLÁR (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais) programme is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and is one element of the Department’s Rural Development Investment Programme which provides a package of co-ordinated and complementary supports for rural areas under Project Ireland 2040.
CLÁR is a targeted investment programme for rural areas that provides funding for small projects in areas that have experienced significant depopulation in the past. The aim of CLÁR is to support the sustainable development of identified CLÁR areas with the aim of supporting people to continue to live and work in those areas. There are designated CLÁR areas in all counties with the exception of Dublin, Kildare and Wexford.
CLÁR funding works in conjunction with local funding and on the basis of locally identified priorities. Originally launched in 2001 but closed for applications in 2009, the CLÁR Programme was reintroduced in 2016. Over 1,500 projects have been funded under CLÁR since 2016.
The 2020 CLÁR programme was announced in May 2020 with applications invited under 3 Measures:
Measure1: Support for Schools/Community Safety Measures
Measure 2: Community Recreation Areas (new for 2020)
Measure 3: Community Wellbeing Support
(a) Meals on Wheels and linked services (new in 2020)
(b) Mobility and Cancer Care Transport