CLÁR Tacking Depopulation in Rural Areas

The CLÁR Rural Development Programme was launched by Eamon Ó Cuív, T.D., former Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development on Friday 23rd of November in Ballybofey.

CLAR is an initiative designed to assist under-developed and depopulated rural areas in selected parts of Ireland. The 55 areas selected in Donegal are based on the greatest percentage loss of population between 1926 and 1996. On average these areas lost half their population in the last 75 years. Rural areas such as Cloghan and Doochary have seen a drop in population of 53% and 70% respectively.

The Programme is being co-ordinated at county level by Donegal CDB through the Community, Enterprise & Cultural Services Unit. Speaking at the launch Minister O Cuiv explained that the money would help to create "a level playing field" for depopulated areas that have difficulty in meeting funding criteria for various projects.

£20M will be made available to assist in infrastructure development in designated areas over the next two years. A range of projects has already been submitted under the various categories covered by the Programme.