Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 320: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the announcement that CLÁR funding for water and sewerage schemes has been suspended for the remainder of 2008 with immediate effect, that this has had an adverse effect on a number of schemes, which would normally advance with the help of CLÁR top up funding; if his attention has been drawn to the position, whereby up to 16 such proposed schemes were on hand with Longford County Council, none of which were at the offer stage of contract when the scheme was suspended and it is anticipated that only one of these schemes will proceed as the others are not economically viable with the suspension of CLÁR funding; when he will announce recommencement of this element of CLÁR funding for water and sewerage projects which are important in rural hinterlands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43991/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions Nos. 213 and 217 of 14 Deireadh Fómhair 2008.

Under the CLÁR programme, a total of approximately €637,000 in CLÁR funding has been approved for water/sewerage schemes in Co. Longford since 2002. All such approvals for CLÁR funding will be honoured as they fall due.

I would like to advise the Deputy that there is no record of any new applications for CLÁR funding in respect of water/sewerage schemes having been received in my Department from Longford County Council during 2008.

In relation to accepting applications for new schemes, consideration will be given to re-opening the measure for group water schemes in 2009.

The Deputy may wish to note that the CLÁR funding approved for water and sewerage schemes in Longford in the years 2002-2008 was as set out below.

The Deputy may also wish to note that applications for CLÁR funding may only be submitted to the Department after the receipt of evaluation of tenders.