Written answers

Wednesday, 5 July 2017

Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

CLÁR Programme

Photo of James BrowneJames Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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154. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the methodology for calculating if a district electoral division is eligible for funding under the CLÁR programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31789/17]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The CLÁR programme (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais) was originally launched in October 2001 to provide for targeted investment in disadvantaged rural areas. The National Institute for Spatial Analysis (NIRSA) in Maynooth University was engaged at that time to carry out an analysis of population census data at District Electoral Division (DED) level for the years 1926 and 1996.

The areas originally selected for inclusion in the CLÁR programme on the basis of this analysis were those which suffered the greatest population decline from 1926 to 1996 (with the exception of the Cooley Peninsula which was included on the basis of the serious difficulties caused in that area by Foot and Mouth disease). The average population loss in the original CLÁR regions over the period 1926 to 1996 was 50%.

In 2006, an analysis of the 2002 Census data was carried out by NIRSA and the programme was extended to include areas with an average population loss of 35% per county between 1926 and 2002. Parts of five counties were added (Carlow, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wicklow), increasing the total number of counties covered by the programme at that stage from 18 to 23. A total of 1,614 DEDs are included in the CLÁR regions in those counties.

The 2016 and 2017 CLÁR programmes were based on the same data and areas that applied in 2006. It is my intention to review the CLÁR areas later this year, based on detailed 2016 Census small area data which is expected to be available shortly. However, the criterion of significant rural de-population will continue to be a key factor in determining eligible CLÁR areas.

Photo of Willie PenroseWillie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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155. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if an application for a grant by a group (details supplied) pursuant to the CLÁR programme in 2017 has been approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31823/17]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The 2017 CLÁR programme was launched on 31 March last, with a closing date of 5 May. The programme provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects in disadvantaged rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population.

Funding for the 2017 CLÁR programme was available this year under four separate Measures:

Measure 1: Support for School and Community Safety Measures

Measure 2: Play Areas

Measure 3: Targeted Community Infrastructure

Measure 4: First Responder Supports

In total, more than 500 applications were received across the four Measures to the value of €15 million.

Successful projects were announced over the last few weeks, with a total of just under €7 million allocated to approximately 230 projects across four different thematic Measures. I can confirm that the Department received an application in respect of the project referred to by the Deputy and that the application was successful.

The CLÁR programme is an important part of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development, and makes a huge contribution to supporting the most depopulated areas in rural Ireland. Over 800 projects have now been approved for funding since the scheme was re-launched last year.

Photo of Willie PenroseWillie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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156. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the precise geographical areas in counties Longford and Westmeath that are designated as CLÁR areas; if she will provide maps to delineate same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31824/17]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The CLÁR programme (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais) was originally launched in October 2001 to provide for targeted investment in disadvantaged rural areas. The National Institute for Spatial Analysis (NIRSA) in Maynooth University was engaged at that time to carry out an analysis of population census data at District Electoral Division (DED) level for the years 1926 and 1996.

The areas originally selected for inclusion in the CLÁR programme on the basis of this analysis were those which suffered the greatest population decline from 1926 to 1996 (with the exception of the Cooley Peninsula which was included on the basis of the serious difficulties caused in that area by Foot and Mouth disease). The average population loss in the original CLÁR regions over the period 1926 to 1996 was 50%.

In 2006, an analysis of the 2002 Census data was carried out by NIRSA and the programme was extended to include areas with an average population loss of 35% per county between 1926 and 2002. Parts of five counties were added (Carlow, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wicklow), increasing the total number of counties covered by the programme at that stage from 18 to 23. The 2016 and 2017 CLÁR programmes were based on the same data and areas that applied in 2006.

The District Electoral Divisions (DEDs) included in the CLÁR programme in respect of counties Longford and Westmeath are set out in the tables. Maps showing the areas in question are available at , and .

It is my intention to review the CLÁR areas later this year, based on detailed 2016 Census small area data which is expected to be available shortly. However, the criterion of significant rural de-population will continue to be a key factor in determining eligible CLÁR areas.

Longford CLÁR areas

DED IDDED NAMEDED IDDED NAME
9003Agharra9016Bunlahy
9004Ballymahon9017Columbkille
9005Cashel East9018Coolamber
9006Cashel West9019Creevy
9007Doory9020Crosagstown
9008Forgney9021Currygrane
9009Foxhall9022Dalystown
9010Kilcommock9023Drummeel
9011Kilglass9025Gelshagh
9012Ledwithstown9026Granard Rural
9013Abbeylara9027Granard Urban
9014Ballinalee9028Knockanbaun
9015Ballymuigh9029Lislea
9030Meathastruim9046Corboy
9031Milltown9047Drumgort
9032Moatfarrell9048Drumlish
9033Moyne9049Killashee
9034Mullanalaghta9050Killoe
9036Sonnagh9052Mountdavis
9037Aghaboy9053Moydow
9038Ardagh East9054Newtownforbes
9039Ardagh West9055Rathcline
9040Ballinamuck East9701Firry(024) / Newgrove(035)
9041Ballinamuck West
9042Breanrisk
9045Cloonee

Westmeath CLÁR areas

DED IDDED NAMEDED IDDED NAME
13010Kilcumreragh13026Boherquill
13015Muckanagh13027Coole
13017Umma13029Finnea
13019Ballymore13030Glore
13020Doonis13031Knockarrow
13021Drumraney13032Rathowen
13022Noughaval13033Street
13023Piercetown13034Ballinlough
13024Templepatrick13036Ballynaskeagh
13025Winetown13043Fore East
13044Fore West13078Jamestown
13045Hilltown13079Kilbeggan
13046Kilcumny13081Killare
13048Killulagh13085Lackan
13051Riverdale13086Lauree
13053Ardnaglew13092Multyfarnham
13056Ballymorin13093Newtown
13067Derrymore13097Rahugh
13069Emper13100Skeagh
13072Glenlough13103Streamstown

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