Rural Support Schemes
The Rural Support Schemes include the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS), the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) and the CLÁR Scheme.
RURAL SUPPORT SCHEMES Expression of Interests 2026
Submit your Expression of Interest
The closing date for CLÁR EOIs is Friday 27th February 2026.
The closing date for T&V and ORIS EOIs is Thursday, 30th April 2026 at 4pm.
Further details on each scheme can be found below.
The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure. It also provides support for the necessary repair, maintenance, enhancement or promotion of existing outdoor recreational infrastructure in rural areas across Ireland.
ORIS 2024/2025 provides funding for the following:
- Measure 1:Small scale repair/ Development/ Promotion and Marketing. Funding of up to €40,000 at a 90% rate of aid.
- Measure 2: Medium scale repair/ upgrade and new Trail/ Amenity Development. Funding of up to €200,000 at 90% rate of aid.
- Measure 3: Large scale repair/upgrade and new Strategic Trail/ Amenity Development. Funding of up to €500,000 at a 90% rate of aid.
- Project Development Measure: Detailed development of projects which would enable them to reach a standard for application under Measure 2 or Measure 3. Funding of up to €50,000 at a 90% rate of aid.
Full details of the Scheme can be found here Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme webpage
Previously Funded Projects
- Driving town centre regeneration
- Supporting town or village centre plaza development
- Development of green spaces or recreational amenities in town or village centres
- The enhancement of our streetscapes
- Supporting town or village centre markets
- Upgrading or refurbishing community centres
- Bring vacant and derelict buildings back into use as multi-purpose community spaces
- Supporting vibrant and sustainable Gaeltacht communities and island communities on Ireland’s inhabited offshore islands
Previously Funded projects
CLÁR (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais) is a focused investment initiative for rural Ireland, offering financial support for small infrastructure projects in areas significantly impacted by population decline. This funding aims to strengthen the resilience of the rural communities.
The 2025 programme is divided intho three measures which cover the different initiatives supported by the scheme.
- Measure 1: Developing Communty facilities and amenities. (Administered by Local Authorities). Eligible areas in Westmeath are shown on the CLÁR Map Westmeath
- Measure 2: Mobility, Cancer care, Community First responder and Meals on wheels transport. (Apply directly to DRCD)
- Measure 3: 'Our living Isands' (Apply directly to DRCD)
CLÁR 2025 Approved Projects
Previously Funded projects
Useful Links:
Contact Information
Community Development Section
Westmeath County Council
Áras an Chontae
Mount Street, Mullingar N91 FH4N
Phone: 044 9332196, 044 9338969 or 044 9332258
Email: rss@westmeathcoco.ie