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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 May 2003

Vol. 567 No. 5

Written Answers. - Departmental Programmes.

Denis Naughten

Question:

143 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason there was a reduction of 33% in his Department's allocation for CLÁR from ?14.1 million to ?9.5 million as outlined in the Revised Estimates for the Public Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14501/03]

Seán Ryan

Question:

145 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made to date in regard to the implementation of the CLÁR programme; the number of areas in respect of which plans have been submitted to his Department; the total projected budgets for these plans; when work on the implementation of the plans is likely to get under way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14393/03]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 143 and 145 together.

I launched the CLÁR programme, Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais, for disadvantaged rural areas on 5 October 2001. CLÁR funds, or co-funds, with other Departments, State agencies and local authorities investment in selected priority developments. These measures support physical, community and social infrastructure across a variety of measures such as electricity conversion, roads, water and sewerage, village enhancement, health and sports projects. The measures introduced under the programme reflect the priorities identified by the communities in the selected areas which I consulted at the outset. These measures were agreed with the lead Departments or State agencies, as appropriate. The areas selected are those which have suffered the greatest depopulation since 1926, with the exception of the Cooley peninsula, which was included based on the serious difficulties caused for that area by foot and mouth disease.

Arising from the commitment in An Agreed Programme for Government, on 17 January last I announced the extension of the CLÁR areas to include an additional 189 DEDs, bringing the total to 890 in 18 counties. The total population in the extended CLÁR areas has increased from 284,000 to 362,000.

In 2002, €14.14 million was spent under the various measures. While this year's provision is €9.517 million, nevertheless I expect that I will be able to complete a comprehensive work programme. For example, I do not expect the exceptionally high level of expenditure on class three roads last year fully funded from this Department – nearly €7 million of the €14.14 million to which I referred – to arise this year.

CLÁR funds act as a lever to elicit funds from other sources. The 2003 CLÁR allocation will be sufficient to continue this leverage and so sustain an effective programme.

As it is not practical to list all the measures and the expenditure details, I am arranging to send them to Deputy Seán Ryan in the next few days.

Question No. 144 answered with Question No. 88.

Question No. 145 answered with Question No. 143.

Question No. 146 answered with Question No. 108.
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