Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has today (7th October 2024) announced over €11.4 million to deliver 264 projects under the 2024 CLÁR Programme.
The investment will support the development of sports and outdoor facilities such as playgrounds, astro-turf pitches, running tracks and spectator stands.
Community Centres and Local Halls will also be upgraded and given a new lease life as part of the initiative.
There is a big focus too on supporting Schools by investing in play areas for our children.
There is also significant funding to develop our green spaces, sensory gardens and biodiversity areas, with funding also going to a number of our Tidy Towns groups.
The investment of over €11.4 million being announced by Minister Humphreys today represents one of the largest allocations under the CLÁR Programme to date.
Among the projects being funded include:
- Ballinacree Community Association- Construction of a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) along with all associated site works.
- St Brigid’s GFC - Upgrade pedestrian walkway and fence replacement of the perimeter of the car park
- Carnaross GFC - Upgrading of car park
- Moylagh GAA Club - Provision of additional hard stand car park spaces
- Newcastle Community Development - Resurface car park and hall access areas, reline car park, landscape and lighting
Announcing the successful projects today, Minister Humphreys said:
“I am very pleased to announce over €11.4 million for 264 projects under my Department’s CLÁR Programme.
“The projects we are funding today are based on a bottom-up approach; Ideas and proposals that have come directly from communities on the ground.
“From playgrounds and sports facilities to sensory gardens and community halls - these projects will make a really positive difference in towns and villages throughout Rural Ireland.
“That is what we are about in the Department of Rural and Community Development – supporting our local and community groups in delivering the ambition and vision that they have for their areas.”
Minister Humphreys added:
“Under ‘Our Rural Future’, we have put unprecedented investment into our towns and villages.
That’s because we are passionate about ensuring our rural communities can realise their potential.
“Investment is one thing; But you also need the buy-in from communities on the ground.
“This announcement today under CLÁR has only been possible because of the work and efforts of our local groups and volunteers.
“You are the people who have spearheaded these projects from Day One; Projects that will leave a lasting difference on your communities for years to come.”
Today’s announcement builds on the €2.1 million announced in September to support community groups through the provision of Mobility, Cancer Care, Meals on Wheels and Community First Responders Transport.
This brings the total investment to over €13.5 million in support of over 310 projects in CLÁR areas nationwide so far this year under the 2024 programme.
Successful projects under Measure 3 of the programme which supports our island communities will be announced in the coming weeks.
Minister Humphreys concluded:
“I have no doubt that the funding I am announcing today will further support the invaluable work of community groups across the country and will continue to enhance life in Rural Ireland.
“I very much look forward to hearing about and indeed visiting some of these projects in the years ahead and indeed meeting the people who have made these projects a reality.”
Since the CLÁR programme was reintroduced in 2016, funding of over €72 million has been approved for almost 2,450 projects.
The full list of successful projects announced today under Measure 1 - Community are appended and details of all funding approvals under CLÁR 2023 are available here on gov.ie.