• €11 million available to further build resilience of rural communities

• Focus on community facilities and amenities

• Continued support for vehicles for first responders, meals on wheels and cancer care transport

Under the initiative, funding will be provided across three measures:

1. Development of community facilities and amenities including sports facilities, youth clubs, teenage spaces, playgrounds, sensory gardens, walking tracks and much more.

2. Support for community transport such as cancer care support, community first responders, meals on wheels vehicles, or for persons with reduced mobility.

3. Tailored funding for offshore island communities.

The level of funding for community facilities and amenities has increased from €50,000 to €65,000, with a new option this year for local authorities to apply for funding of up to €100,000 for 2 larger scale projects.

The CLÁR Programme has for many years provided funding to develop and support our rural communities making them more resilient, and more inviting places to live, work and visit.

The CLÁR programme continues to adapt to the needs of communities. Minister Calleary, having reviewed the eligible measures for this year, has increased the overall grant aid per project and to allow for projects of up to €100,000 which will make a real and tangible difference to communities.