Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 September 2023
625. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she has any plans to review the CLÁR areas in Cavan to include areas (details supplied) not currently included; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41233/23]
View answerThe CLÁR Programme provides funding for small-scale projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population over a defined period. Since the programme was relaunched in 2016, it has supported a wide range of measures.
The areas in each county that are currently eligible under CLÁR can be found on my Department's website. As the Deputy will be aware, the majority of County Cavan is currently considered to be eligible for CLÁR funding.
A review of CLÁR areas nationally was undertaken in 2021 using the 2016 Census of Population data. The review examined the most recent changes in population patterns throughout the country on the basis of this 2016 data. It also examined the approach to developing the existing CLÁR designations, which is based on 2002 data, and considered how changes in population since then impacted on designations.
From the review it is clear that many areas have seen population growth in the relevant period rather than decline. Indeed the most recent census data published by the Central Statistics Office points to population growth across all counties since 2016.
This population growth suggests that there would be very few additional areas that should now be designated as CLÁR areas using the initial criteria developed for the programme.
The details of the review continue to be considered by my Department in advance of any decisions being taken on changing the areas throughout Ireland which are to be designated as eligible for CLÁR.
