Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 March 2026
524. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if Listowel could be added to the recently announced list of CLÁR 2026 funding projects (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23371/26]
View answerThe CLÁR programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas. Last year I approved over €14m million for 238 projects under the programme, with funding being provided for community facilities and amenities, community vehicles and specific support for island communities.
This year, following a review of CLÁR areas, I have designated an additional 110 electoral divisions (EDs) as eligible for CLÁR bringing the population covered by CLÁR to over one million for the first time.
The review was completed by the All-Island Research Observatory in Maynooth University utilising two nationally recognised datasets, based on the results from Census 2022. The Pobal HP Deprivation Index was used to identify areas experiencing socio-economic disadvantage. In parallel, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) Urban and Rural Life in Ireland classification was applied to distinguish areas based on their degree of remoteness and relative exposure to urban influence, with particular emphasis on geographical areas identified as being 'highly rural and remote'.
The review considered those EDs that were not currently designated for CLÁR. Consistent with the long -standing principles of the CLÁR programme, EDs connected with settlements with populations of 3,000 or more were excluded from consideration.
Only EDs with evidence of local areas classified as disadvantaged, very disadvantaged or extremely disadvantaged under the Pobal HP Deprivation Index were considered eligible. In addition, within the CSO Urban and Rural Life in Ireland classification, the EDs had to include local areas classified as being highly rural/remote in order to be included. These data sets were utilised to provide a transparent and robust methodology which is in keeping with the aims of the CLÁR programme.
Listowel did not meet these criteria and was thus not designated as being for CLÁR. However, five additional electoral divisions in Kerry were included. They are Arabela, Ardfert, Brewsterfield, Castleisland and Scartaglin. 89% of the area of Kerry is now designated for CLÁR.
Full details are available in the report attached at this link Review of CLÁR Designations, 2026
(https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/15223a83/CL%C3%81R_Programme_Expansion_-_Report_AIRO_20022026.pdf)
My Department provides a suite of other rural supports including the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the LEADER Programme, details of which can be found on my Departments website.
