Frustration as Craughwell still misses out on CLÁR
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FRUSTRATION is growing in Craughwell after a national review of CLÁR eligibility expanded the scheme to 110 new areas but excluded the village.
“You’d nearly have to go to Europe to wrangle a few pound,” said Independent Cllr Geraldine Donohue after her requests to have Craughwell reconsidered were rejected.
“It is unfair. Kilchreest can apply and Craughwell can’t. And it is only up the road. The schools, especially, are at a disadvantage. It was a simple ask, but there is nothing in it for Craughwell.”
She argued that local groups, particularly schools, should at least have been given the opportunity to make their case.
“They could have let them set out their case and let the judging group decide,” she continued.
“They were not included at all. You can’t get any more community inclusive than schools and yet they are excluded. You couldn’t get a better case as they are very diverse and there is a maximum of €65k at stake.”
You’d nearly have to go to Europe to wrangle a few pound
Last November, Cllr Donohue called for more rural towns and villages currently excluded from CLÁR funding to be included.
In correspondence, Minister for Social Protection, Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, confirmed that Craughwell did not meet the required criteria.
He described the review as ‘robust and transparent’ and reiterated that ‘Craughwell did not meet the required parameters’.
The rural investment programme supports small-scale infrastructure in remote areas affected by depopulation and disadvantage.
The eligibility review was conducted by the All-Island Research Observatory at Maynooth University, using data from Census 2022 and classifications from the CSO.
Cllr Donohue highlighted her disappointment at the response and noted that Craughwell has specific local needs, including the provision of accessible playground facilities.
“You shouldn’t have to drive miles and miles to get a playground,” she said.
“I am inundated with people looking for funding for facilities such as a wheelchair accessible playground - common sense stuff like that. It is disappointing that Craughwell is not included. They are also deserving of CLÁR funding and what it can bring to communities.”
Minister Calleary acknowledged the disappointment, stating that he regretted the response ‘is not more favourable’, and pointed to alternative funding streams, including the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the LEADER Programme.
Cllr Donohue said residents in Clarinbridge, Athenry and “many other communities…deserve more fairness and the opportunity to apply for the CLÁR funding stream”.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme