Mayo groups urged to apply for 2025 CLÁR programme

Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, has opened the 2025 CLÁR programme for applications. The budget for this year’s programme has increased to €11 million.

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

• Development of community facilities and amenities including sports facilities, youth clubs, teenage spaces, playgrounds, sensory gardens, walking tracks and much more.
• Support for community transport such as cancer care support, community first responders, meals on wheels vehicles, or for persons with reduced mobility.
• Tailored funding for offshore island communities under the specific ‘Our Living Islands’ measure.

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 two larger scale projects.

To further support Gaeltacht areas, local authorities will also be permitted to submit one extra application in respect of a community facility in a Gaeltacht area. 

Announcing the details of the programme, Ballina based Minister Calleary said, “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.

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“The CLÁR programme continues to adapt to the needs of communities. Having reviewed the eligible measures for this year, I am delighted to increase 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.

“I have also added specific provision for Gaeltacht projects which, alongside our island measure, provides targeted support to these communities," he added. 

Also speaking at the launch, Minister of State for Community Development, Charities and Rural Transport, Jerry Buttimer TD, said, “The CLÁR programme has provided over €84 million since it was reintroduced in 2016. Over 2,700 projects have been approved in that timeframe and communities nationwide are enjoying the benefits that the CLÁR programme has brought to their community.

“We have all seen first-hand this year the importance of our community facilities and under the CLÁR programme, these will be further supported in some of our most rural areas.

“In line with the Programme for Government commitment, my officials have commenced a review of CLÁR eligibility. I hope to be able to expand the areas eligible under the programme in 2026 having considered the outcome of that review," he concluded. 

Full details are available on the Department’s website.