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CLÁR Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 April 2019

Tuesday, 2 April 2019

Ceisteanna (497)

James Browne

Ceist:

497. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to review the CLÁR areas based on the 2016 census returns; the timeline for the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15208/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The CLÁR programme focuses on areas which have suffered the greatest levels of population decline. 

The programme was first launched in October 2001 and 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 regions 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 CLÁR programme was closed for new applications in 2010.  However, I re-launched the programme in the second half of 2016, using as a base-line the areas identified in the work carried out by NIRSA.  Over 1,200 projects have been approved for funding of €25 million under CLÁR since I re-launched the programme in 2016. 

It is now timely that the data should be reviewed to ensure that we are supporting the areas of greatest need under the CLÁR programme.  I therefore commenced a review of the programme in November 2018 to examine CLÁR areas by reference to the 2016 Census of Population data.  The review will also consider whether there are any other factors that should be taken into account in designating areas for eligibility under CLÁR in the future. 

The process began last November with a targeted consultation meeting with a number of experts on rural development issues, to provide some guidance on the matter.  My Department has also been exploring the possibility of the NIRSA Institute carrying out work on the 2016 Census data.   

I envisage that a wider stakeholder consultation will also take place before the review is completed.  I anticipate that this consultation will take place in Quarter 3 this year.  Once completed, the review will help to inform the design of future CLÁR programmes. 

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