Written Answers Nos. 931-951
931. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the capital funding streams available to communities seeking to promote Irish language as a community language, both at European and domestic levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47253/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware my Department administers a number of capital schemes which contribute to the promotion of the Irish Language. Details of these schemes can be found below:
Support Schemes for the development of Irish language and cultural centres outside the Gaeltacht: The purpose of the capital assistance provided under this scheme is to strengthen the Irish language as a community and family language in line with the objectives of the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030. This fund is aimed at constructing and renovating buildings for use as Irish language centres and funding is also available to purchase equipment for such centres.Applications are accepted from community-based organisations and funding of up to 95% of eligible costs may be awarded depending on the case. Capital costs as well as professional costs (i.e. engineering/architectural advice) may be included for grant purposes.
An Clár Tacaíochtaí Pobail agus Teanga (Community and Language Supports Programme): The primary objective of An Clár Tacaíochtaí Pobail agus Teanga (Community and Language Supports Programme) is to support communities in Gaeltacht areas to develop community facilities in their areas as well as providing an additional support for the language planning process and the overall implementation of the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030.
LEADER Programme: The current LEADER programme which is co-funded by my Department and the EU covers the period from 2023 to 2027. It provides support to rural communities under a broad range of themes and has for many years supported community groups and local businesses to deliver local-led projects that promote Irish culture and heritage. Prospective applicants that are located in an eligible LEADER area should, in the first instance, contact their Local Action Group through its Implementing Partner to discuss the eligibility of the project and the funding that may be available. Contact details are available on Gov.ie/LEADER.
My Department also has a wide range of capital schemes, which are available to all communities including those seeking to promote Irish as a community language, such as CLÁR, the Community Centre Investment Fund, Local Enhancement Programme, Local Improvement Scheme, Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Fund and the Towns & Villages Renewal Scheme, details of which can be found on the Departments website.
932. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht when a decision will made on successful applications made under the scheme to support national organisations from 2026 to 2029; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47388/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO) provides multi-annual funding towards core costs of national, community and voluntary organisations delivering services and supports with a focus on one or more of the following: addressing poverty, social exclusion and promoting equality. The SSNO provides part funding for salary costs of a core member(s) of staff in the national organisation and non-salary costs that are directly attributable to the SSNO-funded post.
The Scheme is administered by Pobal on behalf of my Department. Allocations are provided based on a competitive application and assessment process. Under the current iteration, approximately €28 million is being provided to 82 national, community and voluntary organisations over the period of the scheme. Details of these allocations are available on my Department’s website at:
www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development-and-the-gaeltacht/publications/ssno-funding-allocations/.
The next iteration of the SSNO will commence on the 1st July 2026. It has been a highly competitive process, with over 200 applications received.
Successful applicants have been notified of their funding allocation and I intend to have the full list of awardees made publicly available in the coming days.
933. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the criteria for public funding allocation to non-governmental organisations, particularly those involved in political lobbying or activism; the measures in place to ensure that taxpayers' money is not being used to support partisan political agendas; his views on correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47607/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt should be noted that public funding to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) is provided by numerous Government Departments and agencies for a multitude of purposes. Each of these funding schemes and arrangements have specific eligibility criteria and requirements regarding outputs, reporting and audit. The management and monitoring of these schemes and arrangements necessarily falls to each Department and agency.
With regard to funding provided by my own Department to non-governmental organisations, my Department operates a wide range of funding schemes to which community and voluntary groups, charities, social enterprises and other such organisations can make applications. All grants issued by my Department have specific terms and conditions associated with the grant funding. While the terms and conditions can vary across schemes, mainly taking account of the level of funding the scheme provides, they are based on the requirements of DPENDR circular 13/2014 which provides guidance for the management and accountability of grants. This guidance note is available at:
www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-ndp-delivery-and-reform/circulars/circular-132014-management-of-and-accountability-for-grants-from-exchequer-funds/
934. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the total land holding by his Department, broken down by county, including the amount currently unused or vacant, the portion zoned for development, and the number of sites that include vacant or derelict properties. [47631/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department operates from five office locations, which are owned or leased by the Office of Public Works (OPW). Additionally, the Department owns three aerodromes in County Galway, Aerfort Chonamara, Indreabhán, Inishbofin aerodrome, and Cleggan aerodrome. Aerfort Chonamara is the base for the Pubic Service Obligation air service to the Aran Islands, and the aerodrome includes the runway, terminal building and aircraft hangars. The aerodrome on Inishbofin includes a helipad, used by the Irish Coast Guard to provide emergency medical evacuations from the island all year round. There are no buildings on the site. The Department is engaging with the HSE to facilitate the transfer of a portion of land adjoining the airstrip to the HSE for the construction of a new health centre on Inishbofin. The aerodrome at Cleggan is currently used as a temporary base for the Irish Coast Guard. The Department has had engagement with the OPW regarding the construction of a new coast guard station on a portion of land adjoining the airstrip at Cleggan. The Department does not have any other landholdings.
935. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht for an update on the implementation of the national outdoor recreation strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47641/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraEmbracing Ireland’s Outdoors, the National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023 – 2027 was published in November 2022. The implementation of the strategy is being jointly led by my Department and Sport Ireland.
Progress in delivering the strategy is being monitored through a strategy oversight group and quarterly meetings of Comhairle na Tuaithe. The 1st and 2nd progress reports on the implementation of the strategy are available on my Department's website. The 3rd progress report which will cover the period of July 2025 to June 2026 will be published later in the year.
Some of the progress worth highlighting includes the new county structures that are being put in place to support outdoor recreation throughout each county. This includes the establishment of new County Outdoor Recreation Committees and the development of an Outdoor Recreation Plan in each county.
These plans are being finalised across the country. They will guide the development of outdoor recreation in each county over the next 5 years and will create a more strategic approach to ensure that investment is better aligned with national and county priorities. My Department is providing funding to support the development of the plans and, so far, 24 counties have commenced work on their plans. County Outdoor Recreation Committees are being established to deliver these plans.
Earlier this year my Department commissioned an independent midterm review of the Strategy to assess the impact of the strategy to date and to inform the design of the next iteration of Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors. The review will be completed by the end of the year.
On the 25th June 2026 I am looking forward to welcoming over 250 delegates from national and county organisations involved in the outdoor recreation sector to the third National Outdoor Recreation Conference in Co. Cavan. The conference is integral to the delivery of the strategy by providing networking opportunities, and opportunities to share best practice and inform policy implementation and development.
The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS), which is funded by my Department, continues to be an important contributor to Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors. The scheme provides funding for the development and enhancement of outdoor recreational infrastructure such as walking trails, cycleways, blueways, mountain access routes and open water facilities at rivers, lakes and beaches.
Since the scheme was established, funding of over €154 million has been approved for more than 2,060 outdoor amenities across the country.
Progress on each action in the strategy will be reported on in the 3rd progress report which will be published later in the year. My Department, in conjunction with Sport Ireland, continues to implement the remaining strategy actions to address the challenges and opportunities of this exciting and growing sector.
936. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht for an update on his plans to ensure that vital cultural institutions (details supplied) are supported in budget 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47749/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department operates a wide range of funding schemes aimed at ensuring all relevant organisations can access funding to support their work. I am fully committed to supporting a wide range of organisations, including the group referenced in the information supplied by the Deputy, in the valuable work they do.
My Department provides a range of supports which are available to individual community groups including the organisation referenced by the Deputy.
These supports include:
- The €7 million Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) 2026, the results of which I will be announcing shortly;
- The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme 2024 - 2028; and
- The LEADER programme.
My Department has sought to encourage the growth of new models of community engagement, in particular with a focus on helping to address social isolation. This is not to the detriment of existing models or groups, but seeks to ensure a breadth of organisations exist so that there are opportunities for everybody to engage with their communities. The schemes operated by my Department are reviewed on a regular basis, and I will continue to ensure our schemes afford an opportunity for all relevant community groups to be supported, while also supporting new ways of promoting inclusion and participation in our communities.
I would urge all community organisations, including the organisation referenced by the Deputy, to check my Department’s website www.gov.ie/drcdg, and to engage with their Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), Local Development Companies and Public Participation Networks (PPNs), to ensure they are aware of funding opportunities as they become available.
937. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht whether his Department has assessed the audit and compliance costs incurred by small social enterprises in receipt of public funding; whether he is aware of reports that some organisations are paying in excess of €7,000 annually in audit fees; and the measures under consideration to ensure governance requirements remain proportionate to the size and resources of social enterprise. [47770/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOf the more than 4,300 social enterprises in Ireland, the majority are regulated by the Companies Registration Office (CRO) requiring them to file annual returns and financial statements to maintain their active legal status. Many social enterprises are also registered with the Charities Regulatory Authority (CRA) meaning they are dually regulated and are legally required to submit returns and financial statements to the CRA annually to retain charitable status.
Certain qualifying small-sized companies, including social enterprises, may be exempted from the full extent of the provision of Annual Financial Statements to the Companies Registration Office (CRO).
Work is ongoing to provide similar exemptions to charities. The CRA has drafted financial regulations to be introduced for the charitable sector. These financial regulations aim to standardise the format of financial statements for all charities which will increase transparency and allow finances to be directly comparable between charities and improve the data available on the Register of Charities.
The level of detail required in financial statements will be proportionate to the size of the charity and I will set the relevant thresholds as part of the introduction of the financial regulations.
However, ‘agencies, companies, committees, advisory groups, charities or individuals’ that are in receipt of exchequer funding are required, in line with Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation (DPEIPSRD) Circular 13 of 2014, to provide audited financial accounts to their funding bodies. I am aware of the additional cost being incurred by organisations in fulfilling this requirement and I understand that this cost has increased in recent years.
The detailed financial information contained in audited annual financial statements enables funders to monitor the financial performance of supported organisations, to review the notes to the audited accounts and to rely on the independent audit assurances provided. The abridged accounts acceptable under the CRO exemption, or under the proposed exemption for charities, would not contain this detailed information.
The issue raised is not unique to social enterprises, and it affects Small and Medium sized enterprises (SMEs) across the wider economy. My Department, along with a representative from the social enterprise sector, has recently been invited to become a member of the SME Advisory Group led by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation. My officials will input into the work of the SME Advisory Group, as appropriate, to represent the interests of social enterprises in this matter, and other matters that affect them.
Furthermore, I have asked my officials to consider whether there are other options available to support small-sized organisations, including social enterprises, in this regard.
938. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht whether he will review the community services programme in view of concerns that it functions as a partial co-funding model in practice, requiring social enterprises to subsidise core service delivery from non-State income sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47773/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s Community Services Programme (CSP) provides a co-funding contribution towards the cost of employing a manager, where approved, and full-time equivalent (FTE) posts, to provide services and facilities, that meet local community needs. It supports organisations that operate on a social enterprise model, acting as a fixed co-funding contribution rather than covering all salary costs. This approach is central to operating on a social enterprise model. The goal is to help non-profit organisations deliver vital community services while encouraging them to generate their own supplementary income, through the application of appropriate charges for the use of the services or facilities provided.
The CSP Programme currently supports the delivery of 453 services nationally via 434 community organisations, and provides funding towards the employment of 1,723 FTE posts and 354 manager positions, with an allocation of €59.4 million for 2026.
My Department provided funding increases in each of the past three years to a significant number of CSP-funded organisations, in recognition of the increased costs of employment.
As is standard practice, my Department continues to monitor the various aspects of the CSP Programme in order to identify emerging challenges and, where possible, changes have been applied to address these challenges.
939. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the total allocation provided by his Department under the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme, SICAP, in each year from 2015 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47781/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra940. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the total amount of funding drawn down under SICAP in each year from 2015 to 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47782/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra941. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the amount allocated under SICAP to each local community development committee and each SICAP programme implementer or contract area in each year from 2015 to 2026, in tabular form, with the information provided separately for each SICAP lot or contract area and implementer organisation, including any changes in contract arrangements over the period concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47783/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra942. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the amount of funding drawn down under SICAP by each LCDC and each SICAP programme implementer or contract area in each year from 2015 to 2026, in tabular form, with the information provided separately for each SICAP lot or contract area and implementer organisation, including any changes in contract arrangements over the period concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47784/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 939 to 942, inclusive, together.
The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) is the Department's primary social inclusion programme. It provides funding to Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), which contracts Programme Implementers to deliver supports and interventions to disadvantaged individuals, families and communities throughout the State.
SICAP aims to reduce poverty, promote social inclusion and equality, and support community participation through a range of targeted interventions. The programme is delivered nationwide and supports individuals and communities experiencing social and economic disadvantage.
The current programme, SICAP 2024 – 2028, is managed at a local level by 33 Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), with support from local authorities, and actions are delivered by 47 Local Development Companies across 53 Contract (Lot) areas.
I am keenly aware that challenges remain for communities across Ireland, and in that context, I am committed to progressively increasing funding for SICAP, in line with the Programme for Government commitment.
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the tables attached.
943. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the total funding allocated and expended under the SICAP new arrivals programme in each year from 2022 to date; the budget subhead under which such expenditure is recorded, in tabular form. [47785/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra944. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the amount of SICAP new arrivals funding allocated to each LCDC area and each SICAP programme implementer, in each year from 2022 to date, in tabular form. [47786/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra946. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht whether any funding provided under the SICAP new arrivals programme originates from, or is transferred from, another Department; if so, the Departments concerned; the amount transferred in each year since 2022; and the budget subhead from which the funding was provided. [47788/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 943, 944 and 946 together.
The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) is the Department's primary social inclusion programme. It provides funding to Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), which contracts Programme Implementers to deliver supports and interventions to disadvantaged individuals, families and communities throughout the State.
SICAP aims to reduce poverty, promote social inclusion and equality, and support community participation through a range of targeted interventions. The programme is delivered nationwide and supports individuals and communities experiencing social and economic disadvantage.
Additional SICAP New Arrivals supports were introduced in 2022, in response to increased demand arising from the arrival of beneficiaries of temporary protection and other new arrivals to Ireland. Funding is provided through the SICAP framework and enables Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) and Programme Implementers to provide targeted integration and inclusion supports at local level.
The funding originates from my Department’s budget allocation and is managed under the subhead for SICAP and other local supports. No element of the funding comes from another Government Department. The supports assist new arrivals in accessing services, participating in community life and engaging with education, employment and other opportunities within their local communities.
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below.
945. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the number of full-time equivalent staff funded through SICAP new arrivals funding in each year from 2022 to date, broken down by SICAP programme implementer. [47787/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), is our country’s primary social inclusion intervention. This is a national programme that is delivered in both rural and urban areas by Local Development Companies to help those in the greatest need. SICAP aims to address high and persistent levels of deprivation through targeted and innovative, locally-led approaches.
Additional SICAP funding was allocated in 2022 in response to the arrival of Ukrainians to communities across Ireland and this was later extended to provide supports to International Protection Applicants.
In 2022, this additional allocation totalled €5m, with a further €10m in 2023, €11m in 2024, €10m in 2025 and €10m in 2026. The specific separation of FTEs for the purposes of reporting between SICAP core funding and New Arrivals funding was only possible following changes to the data collection systems. This was fully operational from 2024 onwards.
The information requested by the Deputy from 2024 onwards is set out in the attached table.
947. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the total funding allocated and drawn down under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund in each year since the establishment of the fund; the corresponding amount allocated and drawn down in each local authority area, in each year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47833/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra948. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the amount of funding approved and drawn down under the rural regeneration and development fund for each project since the establishment of the fund (details supplied), in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47834/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 947 and 948 together.
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) is a major capital investment programme, which seeks to support large-scale, ambitious projects that can achieve sustainable economic and social development in rural areas.
The significant majority of RRDF projects are delivered by our local authorities, though application to the RRDF is open to other non-commercial State bodies and local development companies. As a general rule, the RRDF will provide up to 80% of the total project costs, with at least 20% to be provided in matching contributions by the applicants. For counties in the North-West Region, this matching requirement has been reduced to 10%.
RRDF grant payments are made to the designated Lead Body over the lifetime of the project. The Department makes this funding available on the basis of actual expenditure incurred at project level, and claimed thereafter by the Lead Body. To date, the RRDF has allocated over €610 million for 270 projects across Ireland. My officials continue to engage proactively with Lead Bodies in relation to maximising drawdown over the course of these multi-annual projects, and substantial further claims are expected over the coming months.
The details requested by the Deputy regarding funding linked to projects in each county is set out in the attached table.
It should be noted that projects which emerge as successful from calls for applications to the RRDF are initially approved for funding in principle. In line with the Infrastructure Guidelines for capital projects, they then progress through a further comprehensive approval process before the final confirmation of funding is provided by my Department post the ‘main tender for works’. At each stage of this approval process, the project is reviewed by my Department to ensure it continues to meet its stated objectives, including financial sustainability.
I am committed to ensuring that the RRDF can continue to support high quality and transformational projects across rural Ireland in line with the objectives of Our Rural Future and the Town Centre First policy.
949. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the total funding allocated and the total funding drawn down under the CLÁR programme in each year since 2015; the corresponding amount allocated and drawn down in each local authority area in each year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47875/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe CLÁR programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas.
The information requested regarding allocations and payments under the CLÁR programme from 2016 are contained in the attached tables. The current CLÁR programme was reintroduced in 2016 and so there was no allocation or payment made in 2015.
The information provided in this instance is based on the year the approval was announced and in some cases would be in respect of the previous year's scheme. For example, some of the funding announced in 2024 was in respect of the 2023 scheme.
950. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the criteria and methodology used to determine eligibility for the CLÁR programme; the datasets, indicators and geographic units used in assessing eligibility; when the methodology was last reviewed; whether any changes have been made to the methodology, criteria, datasets or indicators used in recent years; the basis on which additional electoral divisions were deemed eligible under the programme; whether such additions arose from revisions to the methodology or from the application of updated data to the existing methodology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47876/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe CLÁR programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas.
The designation of CLÁR areas has taken place across three principal allocation phases. The initial allocation 2001 was based population change between 1926 and 1996 and focused on areas that had experienced very high levels of long-term depopulation, typically in the order of a 50 per cent population decline. This process resulted in the designation of 701 electoral divisions (EDs) across eighteen counties.
A subsequent review in 2003, informed by preliminary results from Census 2002, extended CLÁR coverage to include additional EDs that were contiguous with existing CLÁR areas and met similar population decline criteria. This expansion increased the number of designated EDs from 701 to 890.
A further change was introduced in 2005/06, again based on the results from Census 2002, which looked at adding areas with an average population decline of approximately 35 per cent at county level. Following this new allocation process the number of EDs increased from 890 to 1,614 and the CLÁR programme extended into 23 counties – only counties Dublin, Kildare and Wexford were excluded.
The 2025 Programme for Government made a commitment to carry out a comprehensive review of the eligible CLÁR areas. This review has now been completed and an additional 110 electoral divisions have been designated as eligible under the CLÁR programme.
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. Only EDs with evidence of local areas classified as disadvantaged, very disadvantaged or extremely disadvantaged under the Pobal HP Deprivation Index were considered eligible. Similarly, within the CSO Urban and Rural Life in Ireland classification, only EDs with evidence of local areas classified as being highly rural/remote were included in the selection process. EDs were required to meet both criteria in order to be included. This review brought the total population in the CLÁR area to over one million.
Full details are available in the report available at this link
assets.gov.ie/static/documents/15223a83/CL%C3%81R_Programme_Expansion_-_Report_AIRO_20022026.pdf .
951. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the extent to which eligibility for the CLÁR programme has expanded following the recent inclusion of additional electoral divisions; the additional geographic area and population now eligible for support as a result; the additional funding provided for the programme under budget 2025 and budget 2026, respectively, to reflect this expansion in eligibility; the details of any further increases in funding provided since budget 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47877/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe CLÁR programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas. The 2025 Programme for Government made a commitment to carry out a comprehensive review of the eligible CLÁR areas.
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.
The review considered those Electoral Divisions (EDs) that were not currently designated for CLÁR. Only EDs with evidence of local areas classified as disadvantaged, very disadvantaged or extremely disadvantaged under the Pobal HP Deprivation Index were considered eligible. Similarly, within the CSO Urban and Rural Life in Ireland classification, only EDs with evidence of local areas classified as being highly rural/remote were included in the selection process. EDs were required to meet both criteria 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.
This review increased the number of EDs from 1,614 in 2025 to 1,724 in 2026 and brings the total population living in CLÁR designated areas to over one million. In spatial terms, the CLÁR programme now extends across approximately 4.36 million hectares accounting for 62.4% of the land area of the State, up from 60% in 2025. Full details are available in the report available at this link
https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/15223a83/CL%C3%81R_Programme_Expansion_-_Report_AIRO_20022026.pdf
Given the success of the CLÁR programme I am happy to confirm that recent years have seen significant growth in funding. For example, funding for the CLÁR programme has increased from €5m in 2020 to its current allocation of €12m. I will engage with the Budget 2027 process in the overall context of available funding for my Department's Rural Development Investment Programme.
The table below provides details on the funding allocation and level of coverage of CLÁR areas
|
|
CLÁR Allocation |
CLÁR Electoral Divisions |
Population Coverage % |
CLÁR Population based on Census 2022 |
|
Budget 2025 |
€11m |
1,614 |
17.3% |
892,000 |
|
Budget 2026 |
€12m |
1,724 |
20.2% |
1,039,966
|
