Denis Naughten
Ceist:9 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the plans he has to review the current CLÁR areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28503/03]
Written Answers. - Community Development.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:179 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he proposes changes to the CLÁR programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28777/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 179 together.
I introduced the CLÁR programme in October 2001 to address depopulation as well as the decline and lack of services in rural areas. An Agreed Programme for Government contained a commitment to annual funding for the CLÁR programme and to consider additional areas for inclusion in light of the 2002 population census data. The Government decided on the additional areas for inclusion in the CLÁR programme and I announced these on 17 January last. Areas in 18 counties are now included in the programme and there is no plan to make any further changes to the boundary of CLÁR areas.
CLÁR funds, or co-funds, with other Departments, State agencies and local authorities, investment in selected priority developments. These measures support physical, economic and social infrastructure across a variety of measures such as electricity conversion, roads, water and sewerage, village enhancement, health, broadband and sports projects. The measures introduced under the programme reflect the priorities identified by the communities in the selected areas whom I consulted.
The measures were agreed with and are, for the most part, operated in tandem with the lead Departments, State agencies or public utilities, as appropriate. This ensures efficiency and effectiveness and meets the needs of the people in the CLÁR areas. I intend to continue this practice for any new measures I may introduce, depending on needs identified. Equally, I will keep under review the operation of existing measures.
The merits of this practice are reflected in the successful delivery of the programme. In 2002, expenditure amounted to €14.14 million, which, it is estimated, levered out a further €10.5 million in related public and private expenditure. With the 2003 provision of €9.517 million fully committed, the programme is injecting investment into the areas which otherwise would have been bottom of the list for infrastructure investment. The provision for 2004 is €10.74 million.
With the ongoing co-operation of other Departments, State agencies and public utilities, the programme will continue to deliver on the commitment of supporting rural communities.