The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD has launched the 2026 CLÁR Scheme. CLÁR (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais) 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. This funding assists in building the resilience of these rural communities. The scheme allocation for 2026 has increased to €12 million.
CLÁR Programme for 2026
Monaghan’s eligible CLÁR area has been extended to include the DED of Drumsnat.
The 2026 CLÁR programme will be delivered through three separate Measures as follows:
Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities & Amenities
Measure 2: Mobility, Cancer Care, Community First Responders and Meals on Wheels Transport
Measure 3: ‘Our Islands’
Measure 1 is administered by Monaghan County Council, and we are inviting Community Groups, Schools, Sports Clubs, and Local Development Companies to apply for funding under Measure 1 of the CLÁR 2026 Scheme. This measure will support a wide range of capital projects that enhance existing, or develop new, accessible Community Recreation Facilities.
Who is Eligible
- Community & voluntary groups
- Schools
- Local sporting organisations
- Local Development Companies
Community groups can include local sporting organisations where the infrastructure being supported through the application is for the benefit of the community generally (not just the sporting organisation) and is made freely available to all members of the community.
Funding available
- Grants up to €65,000 per project
- Up to €100,000 available for two large-scale projects
What kind of projects are eligible (this is not an exhaustive list):
- Small scale renovation works to community facilities open to the wider community such as community centres/sports centres/clubhouses of sporting groups/youth centres/men’s sheds etc. This includes external works such as parking and accessibility enhancements
- Multi-use gaming areas (MUGAs)/Astro-turf facilities including upgrades (see information box in respect of astro turf surfaces below)
- Playgrounds/skateboard parks/pump tracks/cycling tracks/teenage spaces
- Walking/running /athletics tracks
- Handball alleys/tennis courts/basketball courts/cricket grounds/ outdoor bowling areas
- Community gyms/community cinemas
- Sensory gardens/Community gardens/ allotments/ biodiversity planting
- Access to unique local heritage sites / areas of natural beauty
- Enhanced outdoor toilet and changing facilities
- Car parking
- Community focussed traffic safety measures
- Improving access at sports grounds e.g. development/upgrade of spectator stands at local sports grounds with a particular focus on improving access for people of all abilities and ages
- Toilets/showers in community facilities but not sports team changing rooms or showers.
- Emergency Generators. These must be mobile to allow for shared community use. There must be confirmation that the facilities that will use the generator have changeover switches in place and the cost of installing these switches in these facilities can be included as part of the generator project application
- Actions to remediate light pollution (terrestrial and marine) through restorative lighting strategies to protect and/or retore Ireland’s dark skies
- Solar Bins
How to apply
Please contact Aisling Kierans, Community Development Section or your local Municipal District Office to discuss potential projects for submission to this scheme as early as possible:
- Aisling Kierans, Community Development – 047 73707
- Ballybay/Clones Municipal District Office – 047 51018
- Carrickmacross/Castleblayney Municipal District Office – 042 9661236
- Monaghan Municipal District Office – 047 73777
Completed Expressions of Interest for Measure 1 must be submitted in WORD format directly to Monaghan County Council by email, to clar@monaghancoco.ie
Application forms and guidelines are available below
CLÁR 2026 Measure 1 Expression Of Interest Application Form 1
2026 CLAR Measure 1 Scheme Outline
Closing date for receipt of applications to Monaghan County Council is 4.00 p.m. Monday 25th May 2026.
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Completed applications for Measure 2 & 3 applications must be submitted directly to the Department of Rural & Community Development and the Gaeltacht by the applicant to clar@drcdg.gov.ie. Further information and forms for Measure 2 & 3 are available on the Department’s Website