Five areas in Westmeath get funding under CLÁR
Five areas in Westmeath are to receive a share in €700,000 of funding under the CLÁR Programme, announced today.
The €49,670 allocated to Westmeath is for ‘Smart Bench with Wi-Fi hotspots for 5 CLÁR Areas in Westmeath, Rathowen, Multyfarnham, Fore Abbey, Kilbeggan and Streamstown’.
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, made the announcement today, (Monday November 8). She said the funding is part of a new Innovation Measure designed to support communities in delivering projects that assist with issues such as rural isolation, population decline and social disadvantage.
The CLÁR Programme is part of Our Rural Future, the government’s five-year strategy designed to revitalise rural Ireland.
Minister Humphreys said: “I am delighted to announce funding for these projects, as part of the CLÁR programme’s new Innovation Measure.
“This is designed to support innovative and bold ideas that will make a difference in communities across rural Ireland.
“The range of projects being awarded funding today shows the depth of talent, innovation and creativity that exists in rural Ireland. Harnessing this resource is a key element of the government’s vision for rural Ireland as set out in Our Rural Future.
“I’m really looking forward to visiting these projects to see first-hand the impact that they will have in rural towns and villages.”
As part of the competitive application process, a range of proposals were received from community organisations and local authorities across the CLÁR areas.
The full list of successful projects is available on gov.ie here.
Today’s announcement is in addition to funding of over €5.7m for 143 projects which Minister Humphreys recently announced under CLÁR for schools and community safety measures, outdoor community recreation facilities, community gardens and allotments, and mobility and cancer care transport services.
This takes the total amount funded under the CLÁR 2021 programme to over €6.5m for over 160 projects.