Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

I would point out that, as the Deputy is aware, there is substantial current investment by my Department in Ballyhaunis through RRDF projects, the regeneration of a number of properties and the town centre management. I am very aware of the issues raised by the Deputy and I do not want any diminution of services in any part of the county. There is substantial investment under way in the fabric to increase the attractiveness of the town centre and to improve it as a place to do business. I will continue to support that level of facility.

We are also looking to expand the range of CLÁR activities. Mayo is very well covered but there are areas across the country that we are beginning to examine in terms of expanding CLÁR funding and increasing the number of areas that are in it. Obviously, it excludes towns and cities. As mentioned earlier, we also have to focus on urban poverty and urban areas. We previously had the RAPID programme, which was the big brother of CLÁR, and we are looking at reintroducing that to give the level of support to our towns and cities that is given to other areas.

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