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'Disadvantaged' Donegal needs more
CLÁR funding
03.05.17
DONEGAL must get its
fair share of CLÁR funding given its "high levels"
of disadvantage and population decline, a local TD
has said.
Deputy Charlie McConalogue made the call following
the recent announcement of the CLÁR programme for
2017.
A total of €5m is being made available to community
groups for small scale capital projects in rural
areas nationwide that have experienced significant
levels of depopulation. |
The programme is part
of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural
Development, launched in January 2017.
“This scheme is particularly welcome in counties
which experience isolation like Donegal, however it
does place unnecessary restrictions which limit the
availability of funding in certain areas," said
Deputy McConalogue.
“Donegal County Council will only be able to submit
a maximum of 20 projects to be considered for
funding. I don’t think this is fair or equitable
given the size of the county and the level of
disadvantage and population decline experienced
within it. |
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Deputy Charlie McConalogue. |
The Department should
be making its decisions based on need and not
limiting the number of applications per county."
The Inishowen-based TD., added: “I also have
concerns over the reclassification of CLÁR areas.
"Although a large portion of Donegal is included
within the CLÁR programme there are a number of
areas in north and south Inishowen, Ramelton,
Letterkenny, Ballybofey, Killygorden, Convoy and
South Donegal that are not included.
"I have written to Minister (Heather) Humphreys
seeking clarification on her plans to revise the
areas which are currently classified as CLÁR - this
is important in light of the recent Census data
which revealed a 1.2% drop in the population in
Donegal," he said, adding that he would "campaign
strongly" to ensure a higher portion of funding for
Donegal. |
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