Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 7: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason the allocation to local roads projects in CLÁR areas has not been increased for 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5821/05]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 9: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the CLÁR programme; his plans to review the programme during 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5802/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 13: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his expenditure in the past 12 months under the CLÁR programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5974/05]

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 29: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the areas in counties Carlow and Wicklow which qualify for funding under the CLÁR programme; the funding for these areas which has been applied for since 1997; the funding which has been granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5823/05]

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 36: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans to review the CLÁR areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5707/05]

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 41: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans to perform a further review of CLÁR areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5708/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 275: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans for the development of the CLÁR programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6010/05]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 9, 13, 29, 36, 41 and 275 together.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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As three of these are oral questions, not more than 18 minutes is allotted.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I introduced the CLÁR programme in October 2001 to address depopulation, as well as the decline and lack of services in rural areas. Areas in 18 counties, amounting to a total population of 362,000, have been selected under the programme, including areas I announced in January 2003 in light of the 2002 population census data. This honoured the commitment in An Agreed Programme for Government to review the programme. Areas included were those that suffered the greatest population decline from 1926 to 2002 with an average population loss of 50%. The exception is the Cooley Peninsula, which was included on the basis of the serious difficulties caused there by foot and mouth disease. No areas of counties Carlow or Wicklow were included in the programme. There are no plans for any further review of the boundary of CLÁR areas and no other significant areas fulfil the population criteria for inclusion in CLÁR.

CLÁR funds, or co-funds, together with other Departments, State agencies and local authorities, investment in selected priority developments. These investments are made through a series of more than 20 measures which support physical, economic and social infrastructure such as electricity conversion, roads, water and sewerage, village, housing and schools enhancement, health, broadband and sports and community projects. The measures reflect the priorities identified by the communities in the selected areas whom I consulted at the beginning of the programme.

The measures were agreed with and are, for the most part, operated in tandem with the lead Departments, State agencies or public utilities, as appropriate. This ensures efficiency and effectiveness and meets the needs of the people in the CLÁR areas. I intend to continue this practice for new measures I may introduce, depending on identified needs. Equally, I will keep the operation of existing measures under review.

The merits of this practice are reflected in the successful delivery of the programme and vividly demonstrate that relatively small amounts of specifically targeted public funding can have a profound and positive impact in disadvantaged rural areas. Expenditure under the programme amounted to €14.14 million in 2002, €8.613 million in 2003 and €12.116 million in 2004, which it is estimated levered out a further €36 million in related public and private expenditure in those three years. The provisional Estimate for 2005 is €13.7 million, an increase of more than 13% on the 2004 outturn. I have recently decided on the allocation of the 2005 provision to existing measures and possible new measures. As a result, I expect that, once again, a comprehensive work programme will be completed in 2005.

I recently announced €6 million co-funding with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for non-national roads projects in CLÁR areas. This funding will continue to improve the provision of local road access and the installation of flashing amber safety lights at schools. Local authorities may also replace, widen or strengthen bridges from their 2005 allocation.

I am satisfied that this allocation will be sufficient to improve significantly local roads in CLÁR areas this year. CLÁR will also fund other categories of local roads this year, namely, local improvement scheme roads and forestry access roads. I expect that CLÁR investment in these roads in 2005 will be in the region of €3 million.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for his reply. Is it the case that funding for local road schemes has not been increased for the past two years and has stood at €6 million a year? Does the Minister agree that, given rising costs and expenses, it is not good enough to say that this will be sufficient to do all the work needed in rural areas, particularly disadvantaged rural areas? Those of us who are canvassing in Kildare North and Meath may not necessarily be in the CLÁR areas, but we know the importance of safety at primary schools. More input is needed from the Minister's Department and the State in looking after the safety and well-being of young children using our primary schools, particularly in rural areas. Will the Minister agree there is a significant number of rural roads that need this funding and it is a shame and a disgrace that the funding has not been increased this year?

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy is correct in saying the amount of money provided this year is the same as that provided last year. The budget is up 13% on the expenditure last year. There are choices to be made. In his question the Deputy highlighted the answer to his question. While there are problems with roads, there has been a huge improvement in rural roads in the past seven or eight years. The fundamental responsibility for roads rests with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and local authorities. In terms of CLÁR funding we set out to narrow the gap that we perceived existed between small roads in CLÁR areas and those in the rest of the country, to bring the roads in those areas on a par with the others.

We are satisfied that under this measure significant progress will be made during the next three to four years, taking into account the work done in the past two years. If I increase the money for roads, there are other new programmes for which I cannot increase funding. I will certainly spend the whole €13.7 million and, therefore, it is a question of price. A "steady as she goes" policy is very effective. The particular mechanism identified ensures this money is additional in CLÁR areas and it has made a significant difference on the ground in respect of the worst of these small roads.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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When the Minister responded to similar questions in December he spoke about introducing new measures depending on demand and indicated that he is looking at new measures. What type of measures has he in mind? In a situation where there is an increase of only 13% in funding over last year, is it realistic to speak of the introduction of worthwhile new measures?

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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It depends on all kinds of factors, carry-overs and so on. Last year we tried to ensure that the building was done on time and we paid for them all. I am confident that some new measures can be introduced. Some of the measures introduced previously have a certain shelf life, for example, the three phase electricity conversions for businesses. Obviously there was a big demand in the beginning but it appears from the number of applications now being received that most businesses that needed these conversions have converted. Therefore, the demand for that scheme is slowing down.

There is a number of other small schemes that do not require the same amount of money this year as in previous years. It is a question of using the money to best effect. We are looking at a number of schemes. Given that discussions are taking place, I do not want to pre-empt those discussions. One of the golden rules of CLÁR is that nothing is agreed until the relevant State agency or Department has come on board and agreed the projects. In general, there are small issues of public infrastructure in typical low-population rural areas, relating to leisure and other kinds of infrastructure.

Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Will the Minister agree there is a need to be more open about how CLÁR funding is accessed and used? I cite the example of his Cabinet colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, who made an announcement on child care last Friday. He stated that €1.1 million of the money was being allocated to RAPID and CLÁR areas. Unless one had a map one could not tell which was specific RAPID or CLÁR funding. Part of the problem in knowing whether the budget is being effectively spent or whether it is additional money is that we do not receive that information.

A possible use for CLÁR funding, small as it is, should be to go beyond basic infrastructure and see how isolated rural communities can benefit. Perhaps the will suggest to his colleague, the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, that some of this money be used to update the information technology infrastructure given that many isolated communities cannot take advantage of a world that is moving apace in this area?

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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In response to the Deputy's first question, my Department will lead because we have to spell out the exact information in issuing a press release. I hope I will not then be accused of double announcing the same measure.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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The Minister would never do that.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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We set out the information and it will be made available by my Department. None of those troika projects is co-funded under CLÁR as that is not how that programme works. However, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform prioritises the RAPID areas. When the Deputy sees the list which will be published he will be aware that out of the total, it is significant.

We have done quite an amount of work on broadband for which we had two schemes. A number of metropolitan networks were installed in conjunction with Údarás na Gaeltachta. Last year we announced 12 wireless-based broadband projects for CLÁR areas. We discussed this matter with the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources because, wearing my broader rural development hat, I am interested in ensuring rural areas are not left behind in regard to the whole question of rural broadband. We want to see whether the group broadband scheme is the best vehicle to deliver broadband to rural communities. Those discussions are taking place with the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. Obviously I will not fund projects where there is enough funding. I am also in consultation with the various partners, the regional development agencies, the Western Development Commission, Údarás na Gaeltachta and so on as they have a major role to play in regard to the provision of broadband in rural areas.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I refer to the idea of an extension of CLÁR and I am certainly not asking for a massive expansion of the existing area. I raised the matter with the Minister previously regarding a couple of specific areas in north County Monaghan surrounded by the Border, the Knockatallon and Bragan mountainous area. Clearly that area is eligible but is not a significant area in its own right in terms of qualifying. That it is cut off by the Border should be taken into account. The same situation prevails outside Castleblayney in the Mullyash mountain. That Bragan and Mullyash mountains can be clearly identified as being eligible shows the difficulty of those residing there. I beg the Minister to reconsider that issue in light of the peace situation — difficult as it is——

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy is going outside the realm of the question relating to Carlow and Wicklow.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Is the Cheann Comhairle objecting to me trying to get something done for Monaghan?

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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No.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I am very surprised.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I sympathise with the Deputy but he cannot be seen to allow the Deputy——

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I used the opportunity to ask the Minister in all sincerity to reconsider this issue. The Ceann Comhairle's party colleagues have raised the matter on umpteen occasions.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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What the Deputy would like is that I would not extend CLÁR too far but include all County Monaghan in the programme. It was a good try on the part of the Deputy. I would love to include the whole of Connemara in the CLÁR programme but there was no extension in 2002 of Connemara because it was not warranted. The issue was looked at very carefully. I have here a map that shows the DEDs that are in CLÁR and, in blue, the DEDs in every county that are not in CLÁR that had a population decline of over 50%. There is only one DED in County Monaghan with a population decline of more than 50% that is not included in CLÁR, and it is not in the north but in the east of the county. That is according to the maps that were professionally prepared for us.

Since the question was raised in regard to Wicklow and Carlow, according to the maps, it appears there are two DEDs in Carlow with a population decline of more than 50%, one on each side of the county. There are three in County Wicklow which are also separate from each other. The Department has tried to be as fair and objective as is humanly possible. Very clear ground rules were laid down and every area was examined in detail. It seems to me there is no other area that, on any fair and objective grounds, could by any stretch of the imagination be included in the CLÁR area and therefore the current CLÁR boundaries will remain. If the Deputy wishes, I will supply him with a copy of the map.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister.