Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced the successful rural community projects to be funded under Measure 1 and Measure 2 of CLÁR 2020. A total of seven projects have successfully secured funding totalling in excess if €248,000 across the County of Cork.
The CLÁR programme, part of the Department of Rural and Community Development’s Rural Development Investment Programme, funds small scale projects in rural areas experiencing population decline and supports the provision of safety measures around schools and community facilities and in developing community recreation areas.
Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Mary Linehan Foley, welcomed the announcement, saying;
This year the CLÁR funding is focused especially on helping rural communities meet the impacts presented by COVID-19. The funds will go towards improving safety on footpaths, pedestrian crossings, safety signage, bike facilities, carpark works, public lighting and in one school it will provide for an outdoor classroom. This funding will go a long way in facilitating social distancing and meeting public health guidelines so our communities can continue day to day activities safely.
Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Tim Lucey, said;
With Project ACT Cork County Council has been ensuring all our communities are well positioned to respond in a resilient manner to the impacts of Covid19 and the attending measures to protect public health. Given that communities already hit by rural decline are more vulnerable to these challenges. This further boost from the CLÁR programme is very welcome to help these rural communities by providing the additional infrastructure needed to meet these challenges.
Successful projects include;
- Bantry Church Community car park works, €29,700.00;
- Kilbrin National School/Kilbrin Community Council, new footpath, pedestrian crossing and ramps, €45,540.00;
- Ballyhass National School new car park and associated works, road signage and markings,€45,448.00;
- Ballinagree Community Development Company, car park works, tree planting and creation of memorial garden with seating, installation of bike rack & shelter, €22,540.00;
- Castlemagner Community Council digital speed signs and ramps €12,600.00;
- St Catherine’s Ballynoe GAA Club/ Ballynoe National School- ‘Scoil Chaitriona’, safety signs, road markings, footpath, public lighting €50,000.00;
- Scoil an Chroi Ro Naofa, outdoor Classroom and seating €42,544.91.
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