Written answers
Wednesday, 5 July 2017
Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
CLÁR Programme
James 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]
Heather 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.
Willie 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]
Heather 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.
Willie 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]
Heather 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. 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 ID | DED NAME | DED ID | DED NAME |
---|---|---|---|
9003 | Agharra | 9016 | Bunlahy |
9004 | Ballymahon | 9017 | Columbkille |
9005 | Cashel East | 9018 | Coolamber |
9006 | Cashel West | 9019 | Creevy |
9007 | Doory | 9020 | Crosagstown |
9008 | Forgney | 9021 | Currygrane |
9009 | Foxhall | 9022 | Dalystown |
9010 | Kilcommock | 9023 | Drummeel |
9011 | Kilglass | 9025 | Gelshagh |
9012 | Ledwithstown | 9026 | Granard Rural |
9013 | Abbeylara | 9027 | Granard Urban |
9014 | Ballinalee | 9028 | Knockanbaun |
9015 | Ballymuigh | 9029 | Lislea |
9030 | Meathastruim | 9046 | Corboy |
9031 | Milltown | 9047 | Drumgort |
9032 | Moatfarrell | 9048 | Drumlish |
9033 | Moyne | 9049 | Killashee |
9034 | Mullanalaghta | 9050 | Killoe |
9036 | Sonnagh | 9052 | Mountdavis |
9037 | Aghaboy | 9053 | Moydow |
9038 | Ardagh East | 9054 | Newtownforbes |
9039 | Ardagh West | 9055 | Rathcline |
9040 | Ballinamuck East | 9701 | Firry(024) / Newgrove(035) |
9041 | Ballinamuck West | ||
9042 | Breanrisk | ||
9045 | Cloonee |
Westmeath CLÁR areas
DED ID | DED NAME | DED ID | DED NAME |
---|---|---|---|
13010 | Kilcumreragh | 13026 | Boherquill |
13015 | Muckanagh | 13027 | Coole |
13017 | Umma | 13029 | Finnea |
13019 | Ballymore | 13030 | Glore |
13020 | Doonis | 13031 | Knockarrow |
13021 | Drumraney | 13032 | Rathowen |
13022 | Noughaval | 13033 | Street |
13023 | Piercetown | 13034 | Ballinlough |
13024 | Templepatrick | 13036 | Ballynaskeagh |
13025 | Winetown | 13043 | Fore East |
13044 | Fore West | 13078 | Jamestown |
13045 | Hilltown | 13079 | Kilbeggan |
13046 | Kilcumny | 13081 | Killare |
13048 | Killulagh | 13085 | Lackan |
13051 | Riverdale | 13086 | Lauree |
13053 | Ardnaglew | 13092 | Multyfarnham |
13056 | Ballymorin | 13093 | Newtown |
13067 | Derrymore | 13097 | Rahugh |
13069 | Emper | 13100 | Skeagh |
13072 | Glenlough | 13103 | Streamstown |
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