County Clare’s Rural Infrastructure Benefits From Clár Announcement

He described the allocation as significant as there was an urgent need to develop and maintain small public water and sewerage schemes in rural parts of County Clare.

According to Minister Killeen, "The CLÁR Funding, announced by Éamon Ó Cuív T.D., Minister for Community, Rural, and Gaeltacht Affairs, will allow for maintenance works to be carried out on 16 small public water or sewerage schemes in the CLÁR areas of Clare. These works include improvements to watermains and pumps, the purchase of sites and the construction of new reservoirs."

"This brings to 82 the number of small public water or sewerage schemes in County Clare that have been approved for CLÁR funding under this scheme since and will enable works amounting to EUR1,608,500 to be carried out", added the Junior Agriculture Minister.

He said, "The projects to benefit under the CLÁR announcement include watermain replacements at Kilrush Rd Sewer, Kildysart (EUR24,750), Milltown Malbay Phase 2 (EUR62,500),, Carron Water Supply (EUR35,000), O’Connell St, Kilkee Water Supply (EUR25,000), Main St., Carrigaholt (EUR15,000), Derrynalicka (EUR25,000) and Moy Water Supply (EUR40,000); the construction of reservoirs at Turlough Water Supply (EUR75,000) and Feakle Water Supply (EUR€75,000); watermain upgrades at Mountshannon (EUR15,000) and Scariff Water Supply (EUR115,000); construction of Waste Water Treatment Plant, Killimer (EUR100,000); Broadford/Tulla Watermain replacement (EUR100,000); Site Purchase, Lahinch Reservoir (EUR27,500); Ennis Rd Sewer Upgrade, Kilmihil Sewerage Scheme (EUR€19,500); and Deeren Pumps Upgrade, Liscannor Water Supply (EUR50,000)."

Minister Killeen explained, "I am delighted that this Government has committed itself to providing and maintaining necessary infrastructure in rural parts of County Clare. A substantial programme of improvement and upgrading works on group schemes has been underway in Clare for some time as a result of the very substantial funding provided by the Government in recent years."

The Minister stated that last year’s increase in CLÁR funding for a small public water and sewerage scheme in a CLÁR area had contributed to the development of the County’s many small public water and sewerage schemes.

"In February 2007, CLÁR funding was increased from 37.5% to 50% with the remaining figure paid by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Local Authority funding and/or by private contribution from the Group members", Minister Killeen concluded.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:
- Tony Killeen T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (with special responsibility for Fisheries and Forestry), is available for interview and further comment on 0035387-2525304. Alternatively please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 00353868534900 or media@dunphypr.com
- High-resolution images of Minister Killeen are available