Press release
Minister Humphreys launches €5.5 million CLÁR 2021 programme
From Department of Rural and Community Development
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Rural and Community Development
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has today (Monday, March 15th) announced the launch of the 2021 CLÁR programme.
CLÁR provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects in rural areas that have suffered significant levels of population decline.
Funding for the CLÁR programme has been increased by 10% this year, in recognition of the importance of the programme to some of our most remote rural areas.
This brings the allocation for the programme to €5.5 million for 2021.
The measures being funded under the 2021 CLÁR programme are:
a) Community Gardens and Allotments
b) Mobility and Cancer Care Transport
Announcing the details of the programme today, Minister Humphreys said:
“I am delighted to announce the launch of the CLÁR programme for 2021. Since the scheme was reopened in 2016, it has made a very positive contribution to some of our most remote rural communities, supporting over 1,600 projects with funding of almost €39 million. This funding has helped reinvigorate rural communities all over Ireland.
“Again this year we have reviewed the Measures to ensure they are adapting to meet the needs of our changing rural communities. In particular, I have introduced a new CLÁR Innovation Measure. This funding will be targeted at piloting new ideas which address specific challenges faced by communities in CLÁR areas, including rural isolation, population change, social disadvantage and marginalisation. This Measure provides a great opportunity for communities to identify the specific challenges they face and to come up with innovative ways to address them.”
The Minister continued:
“In addition, CLÁR 2021 will include funding for safety measures around Schools and Community facilities. It will also include funding for Outdoor Community Recreation Facilities including seating areas, pavilion style structures, playgrounds and Multi-Use Games Areas. For the first time, we are including Skateboard Parks under this Measure, as I feel it is important that children of all ages and young adults have an outdoor recreation space that meets their needs.
“This year’s programme will also support the development of Community Gardens and Allotments, which I know there has been a great interest in, especially over the last twelve months while we have been living with COVID-19.
“Funding will continue to be provided for vehicles for voluntary organisations that provide free transport to day care and medical services for people with mobility issues and for those attending cancer treatment centres.
“The closing date for receipt of applications is 7th May and I would encourage all communities in CLÁR areas to avail of the opportunities provided by this funding. Full details of the scheme will be issued to Local Authorities and other relevant organisations shortly.”
Background
The CLÁR programme (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais) is part of the Department’s Rural Development Investment Programme which has an overall capital allocation of €150 million this year.
It is a targeted capital investment programme for rural areas which have experienced significant levels of depopulation in the past. The programme was originally launched in October 2001 but was closed for applications in 2010. The scheme was re-opened in 2016 to support the development of remote rural areas through small-scale capital projects involving collaboration between Local Authorities and communities, as well as for other community-based organisations. Since the programme was relaunched in 2016, it has provided funding of almost €39 million for over 1,600 projects under a range of different Measures.
Areas targeted under the CLÁR Programme are parts of counties: Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Kilkenny, Laois, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wicklow and all of County Leitrim. A map of CLÁR areas is available here.
2021 Measures
The programme is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and is delivered, for the most part, by the Local Authorities in consultation with local communities.
The measures being funded under the 2021 CLÁR programme are:
c) Community Gardens and Allotments
d) Mobility and Cancer Care Transport
Measures delivered through Local Authorities
Up to 10 applications in total will be invited from relevant Local Authorities in respect of Measures 1 and 2 combined, and a maximum of 3 applications invited under Measure 3(a). The maximum level of funding for any individual project is €50,000 and grant-funding is at a rate of 90% of total project costs.
Mobility and Cancer Care Transport Measure
Measures 3(b) will be administered directly by the Department and will be open to established organisations/groups that operate entirely on a voluntary basis, and who are involved in the provision of transport services, free of charge, to people requiring wheelchair accessible vehicles to access day care or other medical therapy or respite services and/or those requiring transport to/from hospitals for treatment under the National Cancer Care Programme. Funding will be provided for up to 90% of the total cost of a vehicle/fit out, subject to a maximum grant of €50,000 for a wheelchair accessible vehicles and €100,000 for a bus.
New CLÁR Innovation Measure
Expressions of Interest will be invited by the Department directly from Local Authorities, Local Development Companies, community groups and representative bodies for businesses and other organisations located in CLÁR area for the CLÁR Innovation Measure. Funding will be provided for up to 95% of the total cost subject to a maximum grant of €50,000.
Full details of the scheme will be issued to the Local Authorities and other relevant organisations shortly.