Westmeath County Council (WCC) Our Services

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.

Further details on each scheme can be found below.

Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS)

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.

The scheme supports outdoor recreation activities such as walking, trekking, cycling, kayaking and hiking. It helps to make use of the resources of the countryside that contribute to healthy active lifestyles. It supports the economic and tourism potential of the area for both local communities and tourist visitors alike.

Full details of the Scheme can be found here Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme webpage

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.

Town & Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS)

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

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CLÁR Scheme

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 these communities.

CLÁR 2025 launch by Minister Dara Calleary Press Release can be found on this link CLÁR 2025 Launch

Eligible areas in Westmeath are shown on the CLÁR Map Westmeath

This Scheme is delivered under 3 Measures. Please note that Measure 1 ONLY is administered by Local Authorities.

Measure 2 & 3 applications must be made directly to the Department of Rural & Community Development.

Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities and Amenities

Development of community facilities and amenities including sports facilities, youth clubs, teenage spaces, playgrounds, sensory gardens, walking tracks and much more.

A minimum grant of €5,000 and maximum grant of €65,000 will apply to this measure. To facilitate projects of a slightly greater scale, each local authority can submit 2 applications seeking grant funding of up to €100,000. The scheme will provide up to 90% of the project cost (up to the max grant amount). The remaining 10% or balance of the cost must be provided by the community/LA.

Please complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) by clicking the link below. EOI’s are assessed against the criteria of the relevant grant with consideration to community needs and capacity of delivery of projects.

TO SUBMIT AN EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR 2025 SCHEMES (ORIS, TVRS & CLÁR)

CLICK HERE

Closing date for receipt of Expression of Interest is Friday 16th May 2025 at 4pm.

CLÁR

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