CLÁR Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 July 2017

Wednesday, 5 July 2017

Ceisteanna (156)

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

156. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the precise geographical areas in counties Longford and Westmeath that are designated as CLÁR areas; if she will provide maps to delineate same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31824/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

The CLÁR programme (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais) was originally launched in October 2001 to provide for targeted investment in disadvantaged rural areas. The National Institute for Spatial Analysis (NIRSA) in Maynooth University was engaged at that time to carry out an analysis of population census data at District Electoral Division (DED) level for the years 1926 and 1996.

The areas originally selected for inclusion in the CLÁR programme on the basis of this analysis were those which suffered the greatest population decline from 1926 to 1996 (with the exception of the Cooley Peninsula which was 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 regions over the period 1926 to 1996 was 50%.

In 2006, an analysis of the 2002 Census data was carried out by NIRSA and the programme was extended to include areas with an average population loss of 35% per county between 1926 and 2002. Parts of five counties were added (Carlow, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wicklow), increasing the total number of counties covered by the programme at that stage from 18 to 23. The 2016 and 2017 CLÁR programmes were based on the same data and areas that applied in 2006.

The District Electoral Divisions (DEDs) included in the CLÁR programme in respect of counties Longford and Westmeath are set out in the tables. Maps showing the areas in question are available at http://www.ahrrga.gov.ie/app/uploads/2017/04/longford.pdf, and http://www.ahrrga.gov.ie/app/uploads/2017/04/westmeath.pdf.

It is my intention to review the CLÁR areas later this year, based on detailed 2016 Census small area data which is expected to be available shortly. However, the criterion of significant rural de-population will continue to be a key factor in determining eligible CLÁR areas.

Longford CLÁR areas

DED ID	DED NAME	DED ID	DED NAME
9003	Agharra	9016	Bunlahy
9004	Ballymahon	9017	Columbkille
9005	Cashel East	9018	Coolamber
9006	Cashel West	9019	Creevy
9007	Doory	9020	Crosagstown
9008	Forgney	9021	Currygrane
9009	Foxhall	9022	Dalystown
9010	Kilcommock	9023	Drummeel
9011	Kilglass	9025	Gelshagh
9012	Ledwithstown	9026	Granard Rural
9013	Abbeylara	9027	Granard Urban
9014	Ballinalee	9028	Knockanbaun
9015	Ballymuigh	9029	Lislea
9030	Meathastruim	9046	Corboy
9031	Milltown	9047	Drumgort
9032	Moatfarrell	9048	Drumlish
9033	Moyne	9049	Killashee
9034	Mullanalaghta	9050	Killoe
9036	Sonnagh	9052	Mountdavis
9037	Aghaboy	9053	Moydow
9038	Ardagh East	9054	Newtownforbes
9039	Ardagh West	9055	Rathcline
9040	Ballinamuck East	9701	Firry(024) / Newgrove(035)
9041	Ballinamuck West
9042	Breanrisk
9045	Cloonee

Westmeath CLÁR areas

DED ID	DED NAME	DED ID	DED NAME
13010	Kilcumreragh	13026	Boherquill
13015	Muckanagh	13027	Coole
13017	Umma	13029	Finnea
13019	Ballymore	13030	Glore
13020	Doonis	13031	Knockarrow
13021	Drumraney	13032	Rathowen
13022	Noughaval	13033	Street
13023	Piercetown	13034	Ballinlough
13024	Templepatrick	13036	Ballynaskeagh
13025	Winetown	13043	Fore East
13044	Fore West	13078	Jamestown
13045	Hilltown	13079	Kilbeggan
13046	Kilcumny	13081	Killare
13048	Killulagh	13085	Lackan
13051	Riverdale	13086	Lauree
13053	Ardnaglew	13092	Multyfarnham
13056	Ballymorin	13093	Newtown
13067	Derrymore	13097	Rahugh
13069	Emper	13100	Skeagh
13072	Glenlough	13103	Streamstown