Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 14: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made with regard to the commitment contained in the programme for Government to double funding for the CLÁR programme to enable rural infrastructure deficits to be tackled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12482/08]

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, which was launched in October 2001. The aim of the programme is to provide funding to enable rural infrastructure deficits to be tackled. I am satisfied that the commitment in the Programme for Government will, over the lifetime of the Government, be honoured in full.

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 15: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the meetings he or his officials have had or are proposing to have with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to discuss and agree a common platform for the inclusion in county or town or area development plans, guidelines, that effect community development , regional drug task forces, national walk schemes, CLÁR or RAPID programmes and so on that are part of his brief; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12470/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, my Department has responsibility for the promotion and support of the sustainable and inclusive development of communities, both urban and rural, including Gaeltacht and island communities. Against this background, my Department liaises and meets regularly with other Government Departments, including the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, in relation to issues of common interest.

In the specific context of the Deputy's Question, my Department has had, and continues to have, meetings and discussions with the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Local Authorities on a range of issues relating to such areas as the development and progressing of the rural recreation agenda, the cohesion process, community development, regional drugs task forces, national walk schemes, and CLÁR and RAPID Programmes.