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CLÁR Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 July 2018

Tuesday, 3 July 2018

Questions (488)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

488. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to review the areas which are designated CLÁR; if there is an appeals mechanism if persons are just outside a CLÁR area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28690/18]

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Written answers

The CLÁR programme is an important part of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development and makes a huge contribution to supporting the most depopulated areas in rural Ireland. The programme provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects in disadvantaged rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population.

CLÁR was originally launched in October 2001 to provide targeted investment in disadvantaged rural areas. The areas originally selected for inclusion in the programme were those which suffered the greatest population decline from 1926 to 1996. The Cooley Peninsula was also included on the basis of the serious difficulties caused in that area by Foot and Mouth disease. The average population loss in the original CLÁR areas over the period 1926 to 1996 was 50%.

In 2006, an analysis of the 2002 Census data was carried out by the NIRSA Institute at Maynooth University and the programme was extended to include areas with an average population loss of 35% between 1926 and 2002. The analysis of the Census data was carried out at a district electoral division (DED) level and all areas designated as being 'CLÁR' areas are designated on a DED basis. In order for an area to be eligible to receive funding under the CLÁR programme it must be in one of the designated CLÁR DEDs which meets the population loss criteria. There is no appeals mechanism.

It is my intention to carry out a full review of qualifying CLÁR areas later this year on the basis of the 2016 Census data. This review will involve a detailed examination of all areas of the country, as well as stakeholder consultation. However, the level of depopulation will continue to be a primary factor in the designation of CLÁR areas.

The findings of the review will inform the CLÁR programme into 2019 and beyond.

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