Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 535: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans to expand, extend or replace the RAPID programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11090/06]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As I have stated previously, the new, refocused RAPID programme provides a long-term model to support disadvantaged communities and it is my view that the programme should continue into the future.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 536: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which he has addressed the issue of rural depopulation with particular reference to his previously expressed views regarding the effect of planning regulations on rural populations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11091/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 538: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the expenditure for the year ending 31 December 2005 under the CLÁR programme; his proposals for expansion in the current year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11093/06]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 536 and 538 together.

The strategic goal of my Department on rural development is to promote and maintain living and working populations in rural areas by helping to foster sustainable and culturally vibrant communities. Through the CLÁR programme, my Department continues to address depopulation, as well as the decline and lack of services in rural areas. The programme funds or co-funds, together with other Departments, State agencies and local authorities, investment in selected priority developments. These investments support physical, economic and social infrastructure across a wide range of measures and reflect the priorities identified by the communities. In 2005, expenditure under the programme amounted to €13.443 million.

I am considering a review of the CLÁR areas. In this regard, I have commissioned a further analysis based on the 2002 population census data to assist me in examining this matter. Until the review is complete and the results analysed, I cannot say what, if any, expansion will be made to the programme. My Department also funds a range of other programmes including the Leader programme, the rural social scheme and Gaeltacht and island schemes, which address rural depopulation in a general way through key interventions and supports. Information on these programmes is available on my Department's website at www.pobail.ie.

The rural settlement policy framework set out in the national spatial strategy aims to sustain and renew established rural communities while strengthening the structure of villages and smaller settlements to support local economies. The guidelines for planning authorities on sustainable rural housing published by my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, provide a more detailed framework for planners, based on the national spatial strategy's comments on rural housing policy. The policy framework provided by these initiatives addresses many of my concerns on rural housing and complements my Department's strategic vision for rural communities.