Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys has announced €11.4 million in funding for 264 projects in rural areas under the 2024 CLÁR Programme.

The current CLÁR Programme opened in 2016 with the aim of providing funding for small-scale infrastructural projects in rural areas.

The investment will support the development of sports and outdoor facilities such as playgrounds, AstroTurf pitches, running tracks and spectator stands, the Department of Rural and Community Development said.

Community centres and local halls will also be upgraded as part of the initiative. As well as that, there will be a focus on supporting schools by investing in play areas for children.

Other areas that will receive funding include green spaces, sensory gardens and biodiversity areas, with funding also going to a number of Tidy Towns groups.

The €11.4 million announced today (Monday, October 7) is one of the largest allocations under the CLÁR Programme, according to the department.

The announcement adds to the €2.1 million announced in September to support community groups. This brings the total investment to over €13.5 million in support of over 310 projects in CLÁR areas nationwide so far this year.

Since the current CLÁR Programme was opened in 2016, funding of over €72 million has been approved for almost 2,450 projects.

Commenting on the funding, Minister Humphreys said: “The projects we are funding today are based on a bottom-up approach. Ideas and proposals that have come directly from communities on the ground.

“From playgrounds and sports facilities to sensory gardens and community halls. These projects will make a really positive differences in towns and villages throughout rural Ireland,” the minister added.

“Investment is one thing. But you also need the buy-in from communities on the ground. This announcement today under CLÁR has only been possible because of the work and efforts of our local groups and volunteers,” Minister Humphreys said.