The scheme has underpinned the regeneration of many of the small towns and villages in the designated area, providing a revitalised and sustainable fabric of rural life in areas that might have lost out had it not been for the vision and foresight of the Minister. The latest figures from the CSO from the census in 2002 indicate that the trend of population decline suffered by County Longford and County Leitrim has been reversed for the first time since the Famine. The scheme has been a success and is due to end at the end of 2004. Those thinking of availing of it should be aware of that point. There are no plans to extend the scheme to other areas. Part of its success is in designating only one area and sticking to that decision.