The CLÁR Programme is a targeted investment programme for rural areas. Earlier this year, following a further analysis of the 2002 population census data, new areas for inclusion to the Programme were selected on the basis of average population loss in each county of not less than 35% between 1926 and 2002. Towns of 3,000 and over and their peri-urban areas were being excluded, irrespective of county decline in population.
The Programme now covers parts of 22 counties and all of Co. Leitrim and benefits a population of nearly 727,000. County Kildare was not selected for inclusion in the extended Programme as its population increased by approximately 135% between 1926 and 2002. Accordingly, there have been no financial allocations to Co. Kildare under the CLÁR programme.