Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 440: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will include a primary school (details supplied) in County Mayo in the next review of the CLÁR area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17037/07]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The CLÁR Programme is a targeted investment programme in rural areas. The areas originally selected for inclusion in the programme were those which suffered the greatest population decline from 1926 to 1996, with the exception of the Cooley Peninsula (which was included based on the serious difficulties caused there by Food and Mouth disease).

The areas covered by CLÁR were reviewed in 2003 and, again, in 2006. The total number of counties now covered is 23 with a population of nearly 727,000. At the time of the CLÁR extensions, the Electoral Division of Breaghwy (ID number 29072) was not selected for inclusion in the Programme as it did not fit the criteria. The population of Breaghwy increased from 904 in 1926 to 1361 in 2002, which resulted in an increase of 50.55% in the number of persons living in this electoral division. Accordingly, the school referred to by the Deputy is not eligible for CLÁR funding. I have no plans at present for any further expansion of the areas covered by CLÁR.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 441: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will approve CLÁR funding for the Islandboy group water scheme, Duagh, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17518/07]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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An application for CLÁR funding in respect of the upgrading of the Islandboy group water scheme was received in my Department in April 2007. Under the conditions governing CLÁR funding for such schemes, ancillary costs must not exceed 25% of the contractor's tender sum. However, in this instance, ancillary costs are in excess of 25% and accordingly, the application has been referred to Kerry County Council for consideration and their advice is awaited. A decision on the application will be made as soon as possible.