The 2026 CLÁR programme will see 110 additional rural or remote areas added to the scheme this year, which can avail of a total of €12 million in funding.

Announcing the launch of the CLÁR programme for 2026, Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Dara Calleary confirmed that the programme has been expanded after a review.

The review followed a commitment in the Programme for Government to carry out a comprehensive review of the eligibility criteria of CLÁR, with a view to expanding the programme to rural areas that were previously ineligible.

The CLÁR programme is a targeted investment programme for rural areas that aims to provide funding for small infrastructural projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population and/or socio-economic disadvantage and geographic remoteness.

The review was completed by the All-Island Research Observatory in Maynooth University.

The review used two metrics - The Pobal HP Deprivation Index and the CSO (Central Statistics Office) Urban and Rural Life in Ireland classification - to identify areas classified as highly rural and remote while also experiencing socio-economic disadvantage.

The review has resulted in the addition of new electoral divisions (EDs) across 20 counties, including 10 or more new EDs in counties Donegal, Limerick, Tipperary and, for the first time, Wexford.

One Electoral Division (ED) was also added in Co. Kildare for the first time.

Minister Calleary commented: "I am pleased to announce the 110 new Electoral Divisions with a population of nearly 150,000 people that are now designated as CLÁR areas.

"For the first time in its history, there will be over 1 million people living in parts of Ireland that are eligible to apply for this important funding," he added.

The minister also announced that the 2026 CLÁR programme, with an increased budget of €12 million, is now open for applications.

Also commenting on the programme, Jerry Buttimer, Minister of State for charities, Gaeltacht and the islands and rural transport, said: "The CLÁR programme has proven its value to rural communities all across the country over the years, and I know that community groups will continue to make great use of this funding again this year.

"The range of projects that can be funded under CLÁR continues to be one of its strengths, and today’s announcement will be welcome news in many rural communities," he added.

Under the CLÁR programme, funding will be provided across three measures:

Measure 1 - Development of community facilities and amenities including sports facilities, youth clubs, teenage spaces, playgrounds, sensory gardens, walking tracks, traffic safety measures, etc;
Measure 2 - Support for vehicles for community transport used to transport cancer patients or persons with reduced mobility, for community first responders and for meals on wheels organisations;
Tailored funding for our offshore island communities under the specific ‘Our Living Islands’ measure.

Minister Calleary explained that local authorities will be able to submit two extra applications this year in relation to a community facility in a Gaeltacht area under measure 1.

The minister advised community groups in all areas to contact their local authorities in respect of applications under measure 1.

Organisations can apply directly to the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht under measures 2 and 3.

The department will provide seminars for community organisations interested in applying for measures 2 and 3 on March 25.

'Real benefits'

TD for Galway East and Minister of State for road transport Seán Canney welcomed the launch of the 2026 CLÁR programme, saying it will provide funding for "practical projects" that improve facilities and services in rural communities.

"The CLÁR programme has consistently delivered real benefits for rural communities by supporting practical, locally led projects," he said.

“Whether it’s improving community facilities, supporting local transport services, or developing amenities that bring people together, CLÁR funding helps communities deliver projects that make a real difference on the ground.

"I would encourage community groups and local authorities to look at the opportunities available under the 2026 programme and bring forward strong applications," Minister Canney said.