New buses and jeep for Galway groups after €270,000 CLÁR funding boost
Four organisations in Galway have secured over €270,000 of CLÁR funding this year.
The 2026 funds will be used to provide three buses and a jeep to four organisations around the county.
They are: Cois Cladaigh Day service in Na Forbacha go Leitir Móir, Comhar Chuigéal Teoranta in Leitir Mealláin, Galway Sub Aqua Club in Galway, and Ability West in Mountbellew.
CLÁR (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais, or Areas of Special Rural Need) was established to provide funding for small projects in rural areas. The funding scheme is rolled out over three measures: Community facility and amenity development, mobility and transport, and Galway Island support.
The €2.5 million in recent funding falls under Measure 2 - Mobility, Cancer Care, Community First Responder and Meals on Wheels Transport.
Speaking on the €41,984 allocation to Ability West for a new bus, Galway East TD Albert Dolan said: “Ability West provides invaluable services and supports to people with intellectual disabilities and their families across Galway.”
“Reliable and accessible transport is particularly important in rural communities, helping people to access services, activities and supports while promoting greater independence and participation in community life.”
CLÁR funding neared €1 million for Galway towns in last year’s allocation. In 2025, Galway County Council Chief Executive Liam Conneally said CLÁR is a vitally important scheme for rural counties like Galway, where small-scale infrastructural projects can bring new life to local communities.
Further funding announcements under Measures 1 and 3 of the 2026 CLÁR programme are expected later this year.