Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I would be the first to say to the Minister that the CLÁR funding makes significant differences to communities across the country and obviously in Cavan-Monaghan. In any recategorising of the programme in terms of population that the Minister is considering, a positive bias should be shown to the Border counties, which are now facing Brexit. Many of our towns and villages are just beginning to experience a resurgence and revival from the times of the Troubles and we now face into what may be more dark and gloomy times. I ask the Minister to show a positive discrimination to those areas. CLÁR funding is invaluable to schools and community groups.

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