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Cathaoirleach welcomes CLÁR funding boost for Clare community projects  

17 August 2022

The Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Cllr Tony O’Brien, has welcomed the announcement of funding of €481,468 for 10 community groups, sports clubs, and schools in County Clare, under the CLÁR programme Measure 1.

 

These clubs and groups were included in a recent funding announcement (15th August) by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, of €7.4 million to support 175 community groups across the country.

 

The CLÁR (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais) programme is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and forms part of the Government’s five-year policy for rural Ireland, ‘Our Rural Future’.

Measure 1 of the CLÁR programme provides funding for the enhancement of existing, and/or the development of new, accessible community recreation facilities.

 

Sports clubs, schools and community groups will receive grants of up to €50,000 to develop a wide and diverse range of community facilities in rural areas with successful projects including outdoor cinemas, astro-turfs, sensory gardens, hurling walls, basketball courts, walkways, public toilets, community gyms, renovations to old handball alleys and much more.

 

The 10 groups in Clare, which will receive total funding of €481,468, are:

  • Kilkeedy Community Group: Development of the Kilkeedy Community Playground - €50,000
  • Scoil Mhuire Lahinch: Car Park Enhancement project - €50,000
  • Kilkee Playground: Enhancement of the Kilkee Playground Facilities - €45,716
  • Kilfenora National School: Provision of multi-use games area with fencing and access gate for use by the whole community - €50,000
  • Scariff Rugby Club: Provision of Safety Works on the Club Car Park - €35,753
  • Kilmaley Meitheal: Development of the Kilmaley Community Walkway - €50,000
  • Lissycasey GAA: Development of the Lissycasey Running Track - €50,000
  • Kilmihil People's Park: Provision of Public Walkway around Astro-turf pitch - €50,000
  • Tulla GAA Club: Surfacing works on the Car Park including drainage, lining, and lighting at Tulla GAA Club - €50,000
  • Crusheen Sports Arena and Community Hub: Development of a Multi-Use Games Area/Astro-turf in Crusheen - €50,000.

 

Announcing the funding, Minister Humphreys said: “Our Rural Future is all about a ground-up approach to rural development. Every community is different and the people who know best what their town, village or parish needs are the people who live there.

“It was for that very reason that I broadened the scope of the CLÁR programme this year to allow for a much wider range of eligible projects. The response from communities across the country has been overwhelming and that is evidenced by the diverse range and variety of successful projects under this year’s scheme.

“I am pleased to award funding to a record number of applications this year. This funding will support sports clubs, schools, local development associations and other community groups in developing community facilities which will benefit people of all ages in our rural communities.”

 

Welcoming the funding announcement, Cllr Tony O’Brien, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, said: “Ten communities in Clare stand to benefit from the development of facilities being funded under this announcement. The sports clubs, schools and community groups are to be commended for what they are achieving in developing these projects. I would like to thank Minister Humphreys and the Department for making this funding available and I look forward to the projects progressing.”

 

Leonard Cleary, Director of Rural Development, Clare County Council, said: “I am delighted to see such deserving community projects receive funding under the CLÁR programme Measure 1. These projects will allow each local group to develop facilities for the future enjoyment of residents and visitors, creating new recreational opportunities in communities across the county. I would like to acknowledge the commitment and dedication of all the groups involved.”

 

Minister Humphreys added: “I want to congratulate all of the successful applicants and I wish them the best of luck in carrying out these works which will make our rural communities even more attractive places to live, work and raise a family.

“In view of the hugely positive response from communities, I am exploring the possibility of providing further funding for a second tranche of projects under CLÁR and I hope to make an announcement on this in the near future.”

 

The full list of successful Measure 1 projects is available at: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/dafa3-clar-programme-successful-measure-2-applications/

Page last reviewed: 17/08/22

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