Vol. 556 No. 1
45 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans to expand the CLÁR programme to other rural parts of the country in view of the recent census information; when new areas will benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19379/02]
An Agreed Programme for Government contains a commitment to review the census data and consider additional areas for inclusion. I have commissioned the National Institute for Regional and Spatial Analysis at NUI, Maynooth, to analyse the 2002 population census data to assist me in reviewing the CLÁR areas. I expect the review will be completed by the end of 2002 and the outcome will be made available publicly.
As someone who originally criticised the CLÁR programme because it might mean extra bureaucracy, I am satisfied it is fulfilling its purpose, albeit to a limited extent, because there is a limited amount of money involved. However, it is important to take into account the recent census. I will limit my remarks to my own constituency of Cavan-Monaghan for purely parochial and Border purposes. The census indicated that the Clones area was among those areas which lost the greatest number of its population down through the years. The Templefort and Mountainlodge areas in County Cavan and the Mullyash area north of Castleblayney have also lost dramatic numbers of their population, not just as a result of the economic situation but because of the Border troubles. Is there some technicality by which these areas, which are not included in the original CLÁR areas, can be included? It is vital that the Mullyash and Knockatallan-Bragan areas, which do not come under the current CLÁR programme, are included. Under the old scheme which dealt with severely handicapped areas, there was always the excuse that if an area was not adjacent to one of the selected areas it could not be included. It is vital that these regulations are put in place.
There has been considerable progress in this regard since the initial concept was introduced. The initial concept was based on 15 areas, with 150,000 people. However, 16 areas have been chosen, including 285,000 people.
I want to discuss the issue in more detail with NUI, Maynooth, to find a more fair and transparent way of dealing with the matter. However, I must guard against extending the area so much that it would dissipate the effort in the areas that lost out. Sometimes people from populous and growing areas criticise the CLÁR programme because they think areas are getting too much. That is exactly what it is about, the more people give out the more I know we are succeeding. For the first time we are getting into small places like Aghabog and we are saying to the areas that are growing and strong that they cannot be included. This programme seeks to address the possibility of getting development and money into very small areas.
I will consider the question raised by the Deputy, that is, that there are islands of serious population loss. Up to now we said that 3,000 to 4,000 people would make up an area. However, I will again consider that figure. We have found in practice that it is easier to operate the scheme where the areas span county boundaries because the rest of the structures are county based. It is easier to operate on a county basis and I will take that aspect into account when I make my decision.
When does the Minister hope the new review will take place? I recognise that he is considering smaller groups of people but it is vital that those in marginal areas, such as along the Border, are taken into account. I urge him to ensure this happens.
I had hoped to deal with this issue very rapidly. Once one has decided on the methodology to be used and obtained maps and census data, the matter should be dealt with fairly quickly. However, I must get all the facts as there were some changes in DEDs between the two censuses. The NUI has been very helpful throughout the process but the person we needed to assist us in the process was on leave. However, this will be progressed very rapidly and I hope within a month or two to know exactly what is being proposed. We will try to deal with the matter in an open and fair manner without creating crazy anomalies. We will try to operate a mathematically sustainable system.
