Funding worth €4.1 million has been announced today by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys to support 115 projects in rural communities
This funding will support the provision of safety measures around schools and community facilities, as well as the development of community recreation areas.
The funding is part of the Government's CLÁR programme which provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects in rural areas that have suffered significant levels of population decline.
The programme is one element of the Department of Rural and Community Development’s Rural Development Investment Programme, which provides a package of co-ordinated and complementary supports for rural areas.
The 2020 CLÁR programme places a focus on supporting communities to deal with the impact of Covid-19 and meeting the needs of communities in these challenging times.
They said that €3 million of the funding will be provided to projects in 84 communities to provide and improve safety infrastructure such as footpaths, public lighting, pedestrian crossings, speed safety signs and car parking facilities.
Public health requirements
The funding will go towards helping adapting environments around schools and community facilities to meet the public health requirements arising from Covid-19 (Measure 1).
A further €1.18 million is being provided to 31 projects for community recreation areas where people can socialise safely outdoors in line with Covid-19 public health guidelines (Measure 2).
Some of the examples of projects that benefit from the funding include:
- Co Carlow: Measure 1 - Ballymurphy Community Group, car park improvements (€49,950).
- Co Galway: Measure 1 - Glinsk National School, Drop off area and footpaths (€50,000).
- Co Cavan: Measure 1 – Mullagh Sports and Community Ground, traffic calming works (€50,000).
- Co Leitrim: Measure 2 – Keeldra Lake Amenity, Renewal works and seating area (€16,200).
- Co Kerry: Measure 2 - IRD Waterville CLG, establish an outdoor recreation space and purchase an Outdoor Movie System (€49,941).
Speaking today, Minister Humphreys said “I am delighted to announce over €4 million in funding today under the 2020 CLÁR programme which will benefit 115 communities across the country.
“Since the CLÁR Programme was re-introduced in 2016, it has provided funding to over 1,400 projects under various measures."
