Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 362: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of DEDs covered by the CLÁR programme prior to expansion and afterwards; the number of the population covered before and after expansion; if funding for the programme has been increased proportionally in view of this significant expansion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24413/06]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the extended CLÁR Programme, which I announced in April 2006, the population that can benefit from the Programme has doubled to nearly 727,000 (from 362,000) while the number of counties covered has risen from 18 to 23. The number of Electoral Divisions included in the Programme has increased by 729 to 1,614.

There has been a corresponding pro-rata increase in funding to facilitate the successful delivery the Programme in the extended areas. The original provision for the Programme in 2006 was nearly €14m. This equates to an average provision of over €1m per month in the full year. However, I secured additional funding of €9m for the Programme this year (bringing the overall provision to € 22.950m) and this will allow for a similar level of investment in the extended areas for the remaining 8 months of the year.

I am confident that a comprehensive work programme will be completed in all the areas included in the Programme from the funding available this year.