20 June 2017
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Cork based Fine Gael Senator, Tim Lombard, has welcomed the allocation of €195,600 in CLÁR programme funding for 4 local projects.
“I am delighted that €195,600 has been allocated to Cork. It is vitally important that we provide children in isolated rural areas with places to play safely and enjoy their childhood.
“This most recent CLÁR provision will greatly benefit rural Cork children by supporting our local schools and communities with projects to develop and improve play areas as well as public safety around community facilities. The finished projects will support parents, teachers and their communities to ensure that they have safe and secure environments for their children to learn and play.
Senator Tim Lombard began his political career as a Cork County Cllr and is now a Senator.
“Castletownbere will receive €45,600 for a playground refurbishment project, while Castletownroche, Caherdrinny, and Clondrohid have each been allocated €50,000 for upgrading carpark facilities, public lighting and road markings in and around community areas.
“Many of the schools and communities involved have been working and fundraising for a long time to support these projects so I am delighted that Cork has been allocated such significant funding for facilitating the completion of these very worthwhile works.
What is CLÁR?
Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais is a targeted investment programme for rural areas that aims to provide funding for small infrastructural projects in areas that experience disadvantage. The aim of CLAR is to support the sustainable development of identified CLÁR areas with the aim of attracting people to live and
work there. The funding works in conjunction with local/Agency and other Departmental funding programmes and on the basis of locally identified priorities.
Notes for Editors
Background
The CLÁR programme (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais) is a targeted capital investment programme for rural areas which have experienced significant levels of depopulation. The programme was originally launched in October 2001 but was closed for applications in 2010. The scheme was re-opened by Minister Ring in 2016 to support the development of remote rural areas through small-scale capital projects involving collaboration between Local Authorities and communities.
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 provided below.
2017 Measures
The 2017 CLÁR programme will provide funding under four Measures:
Measure 1: Support for Schools/Community Safety Measures
Measure 2: Play Areas
Measure 3: Targeted Community Infrastructure Needs
Measure 4: First Response Support Measure
