7 minute read
DEPARTMENT BRIEFS
Our Rural Future: Minister Humphreys announces over €4.2 million in funding for schools, sports clubs, playgrounds and community organisations
• 104 projects to benefit from funding under CLÁR Programme
• Huge focus on young people and developing our outdoor amenities
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced over €4.2 million in funding to support our schools, playgrounds, infrastructure projects and community organisations across Rural Ireland.
The funding comes under Department of Rural and Community Developmentʼs CLÁR Programme, which is a key part of Our Rural Future, the Governmentʼs five year strategy to revitalise our rural towns and villages. The announcement will see 104 projects supported in rural communities, under Measures 1 & 2 of the CLÁR 2021 programme.
Further announcements under the CLÁR programme will be made by Minister Humphreys in the coming weeks.
Announcing the funding, Minister Humphreys said: "The CLÁR Programme 2021 puts our young people at the fore. From investing in our schools, playgrounds, outdoor amenities and other projects – we are demonstrating the value and appreciation we have for the leaders of the future."
"If the Pandemic has taught us one thing, itʼs that our young people are our shining lights." "Investing in them is an investment in our future – thatʼs what todayʼs announcement is all about." "This particular announcement under my Departmentʼs CLÁR Programme is the perfect example of why ʻOur Rural Futureʼ will be a game changer for Rural Ireland."
The Minister made the announcement after visiting the community in the small village of Mullan, Co Monaghan. The population of village was reduced to just one during The Troubles.
The Minister continued: "The likes of Mullan are a prime example of small villages in the hearth of rural Ireland that have a tremendous community spirit."
"But if we do not support villages such as these through investment, we run the risk of them falling into decline." "My job as Minister is to re-invigorate Rural Ireland – My Department and I are determined to do that. Announcements like this, under the CLÁR Programme, are the proof behind our five year policy ʻOur Rural Futureʼ."
Since the CLÁR Programme was reintroduced in 2016, it has provided funding of over €38m to over 1,600 projects under various measures.
This year, Measure 1 of the Programme will provide almost €2 million in support for projects in 52 communities.
The projects will provide and improve safety infrastructure such as footpaths, public lighting, traffic calming measures and car parking facilities. This measure also continues to support projects that help adapt the environs of schools and community facilities to help meet challenges arising from the pandemic.
Measure 2 funds outdoor community recreation facilities and this year funding of over €2.2 million will be provided in support of 52 projects across communities throughout the country. This measure includes supports for the development of new and enhanced community spaces including supports for playgrounds and Multi Use Games Areas (MUGAs).
Examples of successful projects announced today include:
•Clare: New 1,500 meter walking trail at Tulla Athletics Club – supporting the surrounding woods, picnic tables and hedgerow planting: €43,560. •Donegal: To enhance the shorefront in support of the Culfaff Development Associaton. This will enhance the adjoining playground providing for outdoor exercise equipment, wheelchair accessible picnic benches and seating: €50,000 •Monaghan: Development of a Community play area in Mullan Village: €50,000 •Kerry: Kilgarvan GAA Hurling & Football Club: Installation of bicycle racks, outdoor bowling area, picnic area, parking infrastructure, disability parking and biodiversity landscaping: €50,000 •Laois: Ballyfin Community Development Association - Provision of a childrenʼs playground; safe surfacing, seating, fencing, biodiversity & sensory planting - €49,500 •Sligo: Coolaney Development Company – Construction of asphalt finished pump track for bikes €49,500
Projects funded under CLÁR 2021
Successful projects under the other CLÁR Measures will be announced in the coming weeks.
Our Rural Future: Minister Humphreys announces €1.2 million to support recreation facilities and outdoor tourism in Coillte forests
• Funding to enhance visitor experience at over 30 locations nationwide
• Investment to include upgrades to pathways, trails, access roads, boardwalks, carparks and toilet facilities
• New report shows visitor numbers to Coillte sites increased by 40% during Pandemic
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced €1.2 million in funding to support recreation facilities and outdoor tourism in forest parks and other Coillte sites.
The investment includes the upgrades of pathways, trails, access roads, boardwalks, carparks and toilet facilities at 33 Coillte sites nationwide. This additional funding means that the Department of Rural and Community Development will be investing €3.2 million in total in outdoor recreation facilities at Coillte sites this year.
Over 18 million individual visits are made to Coillte forests every year with the visitor numbers increasing by 40% during the Pandemic, according to a report published by the Minister today. Between March and December of last year, some 2.2 million people visited the top 50 Coillte forests.
In recognition of the growing popularity of our forest parks, Minister Humphreys is today allocating €1.2 million to Coillte in addition to the €2 million already allocated.
The funding is designed to enhance the experience of visitors, support rural tourism and develop Irelandʼs unique forest amenities.
The investment also supports the objectives of Our Rural Future, the Governmentʼs five-year strategy aimed at revitalising rural communities.
Among the projects to receive funding include:
• Donadea Forest Park, Co Kildare:Significant upgrade to entrance and parking area, as well as the provision of toilet units - €345,000 • Devil's Glen, Co Wicklow: Replacement of three footbridges and full upgrade of access route into the car park - €94,500 • Ards Forest Park, Co Donegal: Upgrade to the main access road from the entrance to the car park - €60,000 • Castlefreke Forest, Co Cork: Full upgrade of the forest paths - €40,000 • Western Way, Co Galway: Major repair to the 2,700 metre boardwalk including a new trail layout: €80,000 • Cong/Clonbur, Co Mayo: Upgrade to the trail behind Cong Abbey, new trail to access the viewing point and new trail to facilitate equestrian access to the forest
During the visit, the Minister also announced the publication of a report outlining the activities funded by her Department and delivered by Coillte in 2020, as part of a five year strategic partnership to improve outdoor recreation facilities.
Announcing the funding, Minister Humphreys said: “For so many of us in rural Ireland, the Pandemic has taught us just how fortunate we are to have big open spaces on our doorsteps.
“From our fields, hills, mountains, rivers, lakes and forests – our unique outdoor amenities are amongst our greatest assets.
“This investment is a prime example of the positive impact ʻOur Rural Futureʼ is having in our rural communities.
“By investing in our wonderful forests and parks, we are making rural Ireland a destination for outdoor pursuits and adventure tourism, as well as supporting rural economies.”
The Minister added: “Coillte is Irelandʼs largest landowner and also the largest provider of outdoor recreation in Ireland. “The fact that it welcomes 18 million visitors to its sites each year demonstrates the important role it plays in facilitating both domestic and international tourists.
“Coillte is uniquely placed to provide access to world class tracks and trails through their extensive estates and I am delighted that my Department is providing funding to Coillte to develop these 33 vital amenities.” Daithi deForge, Head of Recreation at Coillte added:
“Coillte is delighted to have the continued support of the Department of Rural and Community Development to maintain the recreation offering enjoyed by the public across the country.
“With an almost 40% increase in overall visitor numbers to our most popular recreational forests during Covid, access to the outdoors and Coillteʼs recreation facilities such as our forest parks, picnic areas, walking and cycling trails has never been more important.
“The support provided by the Department is vital to ensure that Coillte can continue to provide safe and enjoyable access for all the visitors to our forests”.
“The increased number of visitors to our forests has led to increased pressure on facilities and with the Departmentʼs support we are now investing in new and upgraded facilities at many of our recreation forests.” Dr Liam Twomey, Chair of Comhairle na Tuaithe (the Countryside Council) commented:
“Coillte are a key partner on Comhairle na Tuaithe and play a vital role in providing access to recreational infrastructure across Ireland.
“The facilities provided in Coillte forests are of immense benefit to communities and also to the tourism sector. Investment like this enhances the facilities and amenities which the public can use and I commend both Coillte and the Department for working strategically for the benefit of all.”
