Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 39: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he or his Department will provide funding for communities to upgrade their community halls. [28772/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, my Department has responsibility for a wide range of programmes and schemes that support the sustainable and inclusive development of both urban and rural communities. It is possible that elements of the programmes and schemes listed below may provide financial support to community groups to upgrade their community hall facilities:

· Axis 3 and 4 (LEADER) of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013;

· Gaeltacht Improvement Schemes; and

· Capital grants for economic and social development on offshore islands.

Details of these and of other programmes and schemes operated by my Department can be accessed on the Department's website at www.pobail.ie.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 41: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans if any to expand and broaden the CLÁR programme in view of the ongoing economic problems since taking up his present office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28742/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 205: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which he has improved the CLÁR programme to better meet community needs in the current economic climate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29027/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 205 together.

In 2010, funding of €8m is being provided for the CLÁR Programme by my Department. However, as CLÁR leverages funding through other Departments and agencies, the value of the investment in rural areas that is being supported through the Programme will be considerably higher.

I have no immediate plans to further expand the Programme. However, in the context of the current economic climate, a particular focus of my Department has been on ensuring that projects are completed in a timely manner. To this end, my officials have been working closely with the other Government Departments and agencies with which a number of measures under the Programme are co-funded. Arising from this work, I am pleased to say that a significant number of projects have been completed over the last year, while the completion of others is being continuously monitored with my Department's co-funding partners.

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 42: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will make a commitment that any future funding programme resulting from the review of the scheme to support national organisations in the community and voluntary sector will prioritise a focus on combatting poverty, exclusion and inequality by supporting organisations that represent, empower and respond to the needs of disadvantaged groups and communities. [28751/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Funding contracts under the Scheme referred to by the Deputy are due to expire on 31st December 2010. Officials in my Department are currently carrying out a review to evaluate the Scheme and to make recommendations for its future. All organisations involved in the Scheme are being consulted as part of the review process.

On the basis of the findings of the review, I will consider the options available to me at the appropriate time.