Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 February 2023
723. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 746 of 21 February 2023, if the CLÁR programme will be expanded to allow groups, including an organisation (details supplied) qualify for funding, due to its membership living in a variety of locations in County Wicklow. [10221/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
In 2022 the Programme's Mobility and Cancer Care Transport Measure facilitated the purchase of vehicles by voluntary organisations based in CLÁR areas. This was with a view to facilitating, under the National Cancer Care Programme, transport to designated cancer treatment hospitals/centres. It also facilitates transport to day care or other medical, therapeutic or respite services, including those requiring specialised wheelchair accessible vehicles.
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, and indeed the most recent census data published by the Central Statistics Office point to population growth across all counties since 2016. At present, the Rathdrum Cancer Support is not eligible for consideration under the CLÁR programme as it is not within a designated CLÁR area
The details of the review are being considered by my Department before any decisions are made in relation to areas throughout Ireland which will be designated as eligible for CLÁR.
