Éamon Ó Cuív T.D., Minister for Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs today announced the local roads projects in CLÁR areas which are to be funded in 2004 in Co. Tipperary. CLÁR (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais/Programme for Revitalising Rural Areas) is an investment programme designed to tackle the problem of depopulation, decline and lack of services in rural areas.
On 01 March 2004, Minister Ó Cuív and Pat The Cope Gallagher T.D., Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government announced that they had allocated €97,000 to County Tipperary for expenditure on local roads projects. This money comes from a national €6m co-fund agreed by the two Ministers for CLÁR areas.
Under this scheme Tipperary County Council can opt to fund Class II and Class III road projects or fund the installation of flashing amber safety lights at schools. The maximum cost per road project is €30,000 while €7,000 is the limit for the safety lights. This year, Tipperary North County Council has selected 2 roads projects and 1 flashing light project. Tipperary South County Council has selected 1 road project.
"These types of projects often get left to the bottom of the list because there are bigger projects to complete in more populated areas. As Minister for Rural Development, however, it is my job to ensure that rural areas are given a fair chance when it comes to Local Authorities selecting projects. With this scheme, my Department and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government are working for the benefit of depopulated rural communities. Although these projects are relatively small, I have no doubt that their completion will have a disproportionately beneficial effect on these rural communities."
Éamon Ó Cuív, T.D.
"I am delighted that my Department is continuing to link up with CLÁR, through the Non National Roads Programme, to provide additional concentrated support for infrastructure in disadvantaged rural areas. I am confident that the money now being provided will greatly improve the quality of life for people living in these areas."
Pat the Cope Gallagher T.D.
Notes for Editors: The list of projects that Tipperary North and Tipperary South County Council have selected will be issued to you by fax, or on request from the Press Office, contact details below.
CLÁR (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais/Programme for Revitalising Rural Areas) is an investment programme designed to tackle the problem of depopulation, decline and lack of services in rural areas.
It was launched by Minister Ó Cuív in October 2001 arising from a commitment in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness to provide a targeted investment programme in disadvantaged urban and rural areas.
CLÁR is the rural strand of the programme (RAPID I is the urban strand and RAPID II is the provincial town strand.)
Following an analysis of the 2002 Population Census data, the CLÁR areas were reviewed and extended from January 2003, thus honouring the commitment in the Agreed Programme for Government.
The population that benefits from the revised CLÁR programme has increased from 284,000 to 362,000.
The areas included in the CLÁR programme cover parts of the counties of Connacht, Ulster and Munster as well as parts of four counties in Leinster.
The areas selected are those which have suffered the greatest depopulation since 1926, with the exception of the Cooley peninsula (which has been included based on the serious difficulties caused by Foot and Mouth Disease).
On average, these areas have lost 50% of their population since 1926.
Areas targeted under the CLÁR Programme.
Parts of: Counties Cavan, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath and all of County Leitrim.