- Eight islands off the coast of Cork, Donegal, Galway and Mayo to benefit through the CLÁR Programme.
- Support for community centres, waste management and recycling
- Enhancements to playgrounds and sports facilities, and support with island transport initiatives.
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, has today (20 March 2025) announced almost €390,000 in funding for Measure 3 of the 2024 CLÁR programme.
The funding will be used to develop and enhance community facilities and amenities across our off-shore Islands. In total, eight Islands off the coast of Cork, Donegal, Galway and Mayo will benefit under this funding allocation.
The funding will include improvements to sports facilities and community centres, and the enhancement of play spaces. Supports for waste management and island transport infrastructure is also being provided.
Some of the projects being supported today include:
- Sherkin Island, Cork – Purchase of a hybrid bus to support the Island’s rural transport structure – €78,651.
- Oileán Gabhla, Donegal – Swim shelter at Gola Island Pier – €10,350
- Inis Mór, Galway – Repair and upgrade of playground equipment – €50,000
- Inishturk, Mayo – Community tractor and forklift to facilitate the transportation of goods and supplies – €50,000
- Bere Island, Cork – Purchase of a generator for the community centre
Announcing the successful projects, Minister Calleary said:
“I am delighted announce these successful projects today under the CLÁR programme. Supporting our Island communities is a key priority for me and for this Government. I am very pleased to see these investments which will further enhance the quality of life for those living on eight of our off-shore islands.
“Improvements in community facilities and transport initiatives together with waste management measures are all very welcome. There is also funding for the purchase of a generator in an island community centre which, as we have seen in recent weeks, will be an important resource in the future.
“I want to commend the community and voluntary groups behind each of these projects for their continued commitment to improving the quality of life of everyone on our islands. Through schemes like the CLÁR programme, I want to use my term as Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to support you as much as possible in creating sustainable and vibrant island communities.”
Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer TD said:
“This announcement of funding today under the 2024 CLÁR programme’s Island measure will see eight of our off-shore islands benefitting through various projects from recreational infrastructure to transport services to assisting with waste management.
“The CLÁR programme continues to support communities and I very much look forward to seeing these new projects delivered.”
Today’s announcement brings the total investment to almost €14 million in support of over 320 projects in CLÁR areas nationwide under the 2024 programme.
The full list of successful projects announced today under Measure 3 – Our Islands are available here on gov.ie.
Photo Copyright Mick Reynolds, via https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Clew_Bay_complex.jpg
