Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 296: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will consider applications from community and recreational groups involved in the provision of community, cultural and recreational activities throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23200/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 304: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which he can offer financial assistance to local community groups offering recreational activities, youth or other services in their immediate community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23208/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 305: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which he can offer financial assistance to local community groups offering recreational activities, youth or other services in their immediate community in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23209/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 306: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will consider applications from community and recreational groups involved in the provision of community, cultural and recreational activities throughout County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23210/05]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Question Nos. 296 and 304 to 306, inclusive, together.

My Department funds a wide range of programmes, including measures in support of communities — both urban and rural — disadvantaged youth and the Irish language. Full details regarding such programmes are available on the Department's website at www.pobail.ie. Applications in respect of any of the matters mentioned by the Deputy, as applicable either nationally or in County Kildare, would fall for consideration within the framework of criteria for such programmes. I would be happy to provide the Deputy with additional information on any specific programme which he feels may be of particular relevance.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 297: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he intends to apply the CLÁR programme to a wider group of projects in the country at large; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23201/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 303: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he intends to apply the CLÁR programme to a wider group of projects in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23207/05]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Question Nos. 297 and 303 together.

I take it that the Deputy is asking if I propose to expand the CLÁR areas. There are no plans at this time for any further review of the boundary of CLÁR areas. I also confirm that no other significant areas fulfil the population criteria for inclusion in CLÁR and I have examined this issue thoroughly.

The criteria for inclusion are that the area suffers an average population loss of 50% and has an aggregate population of over 4,000. No parts of County Kildare are included in the CLÁR programme as they do not meet the criteria for selection, either with the original CLÁR areas or the revised areas following the analysis of the 2002 population census data.