Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 15: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his proposals for the future development of the CLÁR programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37046/06]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, the CLÁR Programme is a targeted investment programme for rural areas. Earlier this year, following a further analysis of the 2002 population census data, new areas were selected for inclusion in the Programme on the basis of average population loss in each county of not less than 35% between 1926 and 2002. Towns of 3,000 and over and their peri-urban areas are excluded, irrespective of county decline in population. The Programme now covers parts of 22 counties and all of Co. Leitrim and benefits a population of nearly 727,000.

To meet the increased demands arising from the expansion, I secured an increase in CLÁR funding of approximately €9m for 2006, bringing the overall level of funding available this year to €22.95m.

I feel that the approach being implemented under the Programme whereby small community and rural infrastructural projects are being supported — many of which might otherwise not be funded — is having a major impact on the lives of people living in the CLÁR areas. I have no plans at present for a further review of the Programme.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 16: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of meetings of the RAPID national monitoring committee that have taken place to date in 2006; the details of what emerged at these meetings; if he will publish the minutes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37017/06]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The National Monitoring Committee met on three occasions during 2006: 1st March, 1st June and 5th October. It is likely that the Committee will meet again before the end of 2006. In general, the major part of the deliberations of the Committee is the consideration of reports and updates from the Area Implementation Teams (AIT) for each RAPID area and from key Departments and Agencies. The role of the Committee is to support the achievement of greater co-ordination and coherence in actions between the different agencies.

An important element of each meeting is the input received from the ground via the AITs. During the June and October meetings the Committee concentrated on the evaluation of the programme undertaken by Fitzpatrick Associates, economic consultants. The business of the Committee will continue to focus on achieving timely implementation of the recommendations of this evaluation with particular concern to ensure the programme from 2007 addresses the weaknesses identified.

The Committee has not considered the question of publication of the minutes of its meetings and it is an issue we can ask the members to reflect on at a future meeting. Reports from the AITs and the evaluation mentioned above are published.