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

Minister for Rural and Community Development Dara Calleary launched the 2025 Town and Village Renewal Scheme which is designed to support the revitalisation of rural Ireland and to build greater resilience in to our town centres through regeneration projects.

The Fund will support projects throughout Ireland with a focus on stimulating town centre economic and social regeneration through sustainable employment creation.

Further Information can be found here Town and Village Renewal Scheme webpage

Projects will align with the objectives of the government policies Our Rural Future, Town Centre First and Our Living Islands with a focus on:

• 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

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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 2026 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 Interactive CLÁR map or the downloadable 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 2026 - Information Events 

Westmeath County Council held two information events for the CLÁR Programme 2026 in the Bloomfield House Hotel, Mullingar and ONLINE. 

The presentation and additional documentation on the CLÁR programme is now available by request by emailing rss@westmeathcoco.ie

Minister Dara Calleary TD, of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, announced on Friday, November 28, 2025, an investment of €12.3 million for 206 community projects through the 2025 CLÁR programme. Westmeath will receive €470,705 to enhance local community facilities.Full details can be found through this link: CLÁR 2025

Previously Funded projects

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