Our Rural Future: Minister Humphreys announces over €412,000 for11 projects on our offshore islands
- Published on: 24 June 2022
- Last updated on: 1 July 2022
- New ‘Our Islands’ measure under CLÁR Programme to support community infrastructure projects
- Purchase of vehicles, gym and picnic equipment to enhance island life
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, today (Friday, 24 June) announced over €412,000 to support 11 different projects on our offshore islands.
The funding for community groups of a new ‘Our Islands’ measure under the department’s CLÁR Programme is designed to make our islands more attractive places to live and visit.
Among the projects being funded are:
- Co Galway: Coiste Chomhlacht Forbartha Inis Meáin - €114,147 for the purchase of a plug-in hybrid minibus, PV panels, and a plug-in charging point
- Co Cork: Bere Island Projects Group CLG - €72,693 to fund an electric wheelchair accessible bus with PV charging panels on the community Centre
- Co Donegal: Comharchumann Forbartha & Fostaiochta Árainn Mhór - €24,224 for the placement of recycled plastic, outdoor seating throughout the Island for use by walkers and cyclists
- Co Mayo: Inishturk Community Club CLG - €11,477 to purchase fencing to secure and make safe the boundaries of the playground
- Co Galway: Inis Oírr Comhar Caomhán Teo - €56,815 for the Enhancement of existing public toilets facilities and associated litter/recycling infrastructure
The funding for community groups is on top of the €1.62 million announced by Minister Humphreys this week to support community first responders across the country.
Announcing the funding for the island groups, the Minister said:
"I am delighted to announce over €412,000 for 11 successful projects under the new ‘Our Islands’ measure, which comes under my department’s CLÁR Programme. Community and voluntary organisations play a critical role in providing vital services to our offshore communities – making them more attractive places to live and visit. These islands have seen significant levels of depopulation over the years and face challenges such as rural isolation and population decline. I was therefore delighted to tailor the CLÁR Programme so that specific supports could be channelled directly to our island communities."
Notes
The CLÁR (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais) programme is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and forms part of the government’s ambitious new 5-year policy for rural Ireland, Our Rural Future.
CLÁR is a targeted investment programme for rural areas that aims to provide funding for small infrastructural projects in designated rural areas. There are designated CLÁR areas in all counties with the exception of Dublin, Kildare and Wexford.
CLÁR funding works in conjunction with local funding and on the basis of locally identified priorities. Originally launched in 2001 but closed for applications in 2009, the CLÁR Programme was reintroduced in 2016. CLÁR 2022 was announced in February 2022 with applications invited under 3 Measures:
Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities & Amenities (to be announced at a later date)
Measure 2: Mobility, Cancer Care and Community First Responders Transport
Measure 3: ‘Our Islands’
Details of the successful projects.
Successful Measure 3 Applications
| County | Organisation | Project details | Funding requested |
| Cork | Bere island Projects Group CLG | To fund an electric wheelchair accessible bus with PV charging panels on the community Centre | €72,693.00 |
| Donegal | Comharchumann Oileán Árainn Mhór CTR | Replacement galvanised fence and gates for multipurpose sports ground | €18,977.37 |
| Donegal | Comharchumann Thoraí Teo | Replacement of Fencing at Tory Island Playground | €22,185.00 |
| Donegal | Comharchumann Thoraí Teo | Purchase of Gym Equipment | €22,078.80 |
| Donegal | Comharchumann Thoraí Teo | Placement of recycled plastic, outdoor seating throughout the Island for use by walkers and cyclists | €24,223.86 |
| Donegal | Arranmore Country Fest | Purchase of mobile outdoor stage | € 5,241.44 |
| Donegal | Comharchumann Thoraí Teo | Provision of picnic benches and seating throughout the Island | €21,600.00 |
| Galway | Coiste Chomhlacht Forbartha Inis Meáin | Purchase of a plug-in hybrid minibus, PV panels, and a plug-in charging point | € 114,147.00 |
| Galway | Inis Oírr Comhar Caomhán Teo | Enhancement of existing public toilets facilities and associated litter/recycling infrastructure | € 56,814.83 |
| Galway | Comharchumann Forbartha Árann | Purchase raised beds, signage, equipment, bins, picnic table, seating and CCTV | € 43,098.12 |
| Mayo | Inishturk Community Club CLG | Purchase of fencing to secure and make safe the boundaries of the playground | €11,474.60 |
| TOTAL: 11 | €412,534.02 |