14 June 2018 Written Answers. The following are questions tabled by Members for written response and the ministerial replies as received on the day from the Departments [unrevised]. Questions Nos. 1 to 10, inclusive, answered orally. 14/06/2018WRA00400CLÁR Programme 14/06/2018WRA0050011. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to review the CLÁR areas based on the 2016 census returns; the timeline for the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25105/18] 14/06/2018WRA00600Minister for Rural and Community Development (Deputy Michael Ring): The CLÁR programme is an important part of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development and makes a huge contribution to supporting the most depopulated areas in rural Ireland. The pro- gramme provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects in disadvantaged rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population. CLÁR was originally launched in October 2001 to provide for targeted investment in dis- advantaged rural areas. The areas originally selected for inclusion in the programme were those which suffered the greatest population decline from 1926 to 1996. The Cooley Peninsula which was also included on the basis of the serious difficulties caused in that area by Foot and Mouth disease. The average population loss in the original CLÁR regions over the period 1926 to 1996 was 50%. In 2006, an analysis of the 2002 Census data was carried out by the NIRSA Institute at May- nooth University and the programme was extended to include areas with an average population loss of 35% between 1926 and 2002. Almost 900 projects have been approved for funding since I re-launched the CLÁR pro- gramme in the second half of 2016, using the areas identified in the work carried out by NIRSA. I intend carrying out a full review of qualifying CLÁR areas later this year on the basis of the 2016 Census data. The level of depopulation will continue to be a primary factor in the designation of any area as a CLÁR area. The review will involve a detailed examination of all areas of the country, as well as stakeholder consultation. My officials plan to begin the review process in the coming months with the aim of having a full and comprehensive review completed before the end of the year. The findings of the review will inform future launches of the CLÁR programme into 2019 and beyond. Questions Nos. 12 to 14, inclusive, answered orally. 1 Questions - Written Answers 14/06/2018WRB00200Seniors Alert Scheme 14/06/2018WRB0030015. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the financial allocations in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018 for the seniors alert scheme; the take-up to date of the scheme in County Limerick since 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25828/18] 14/06/2018WRB00400Minister for Rural and Community Development (Deputy Michael Ring): The alloca- tion for the Seniors Alert Scheme in 2016 was €2.3m of which €1.8m was spent. Following a review, I launched a new scheme which took effect on 1 November 2017. A media and infor- mation campaign was organised to support the launch. The key features of the new scheme include: - free monitoring of the alarm service for the 1st year; - a person no longer has to be living alone to qualify; - a self-declaration of limited means for eligibility; and - an increase in administrative payments to Community Groups involved in rolling out the scheme. I am pleased to say that since the launch of the new scheme, the demand has been unprec- edented. During 2017, spend on the Scheme amounted to €2.7m, with over 12,700 applica- tions approved and more than 10,000 installations completed. To the end of May 2018, over 9,200 applications were approved, with almost 10,000 installations completed. Since the Seniors Alert Scheme commenced in September 2015, 1,648 participants have been approved for the Scheme in County Limerick. My officials are carefully monitoring the scheme to ensure that current levels of demand can continue to be met from within the resources available to my Department. Question No. 16 answered with Question No. 14. 14/06/2018WRB00600Local Improvement Scheme Funding 14/06/2018WRB0070017. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of funding provided to counties Carlow and Kilkenny under the local improvement scheme in 2017; his plans to announce a new local improvement scheme in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25803/18] 14/06/2018WRB00800Minister for Rural and Community Development (Deputy Michael Ring): The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) is a programme for improvement works on small private/non- public roads. The scheme is currently funded by my Department and administered through the Local Authorities. In 2017, I allocated a total of €440,460 to Carlow County Council under LIS. An initial al- location of €250,000 was made in September and a further allocation of €190,460 was made to Carlow in November, on foot of savings elsewhere in my Department’s Vote. I allocated a total of €605,565 to County Kilkenny under the LIS in 2017. €315,000 was allocated under the first round of funding in September, and a further €290,565 was allocated 2 14 June 2018 in November. Following on from the launch of the 2017 scheme, I announced details of the 2018 Local Improvement Scheme on 27th February this year, with an allocation of €10.8 million for the scheme nationally. County Carlow was allocated €250,000 under the 2018 scheme, and County Kilkenny was allocated €315,000, in line with their original 2017 allocations. As part of the 2018 LIS scheme, I also requested each County Council to compile a second- ary list of suitable LIS road projects which they would be able to complete if additional funding becomes available for the scheme later in the year. I will be monitoring the situation in the context of my Department’s overall expenditure performance over the coming months. Detailed information regarding the 2018 projects selected by Carlow and Kilkenny County Councils for LIS improvement works can be found on the Rural Development pages of my Department’s website. 14/06/2018WRB00900Local Improvement Scheme Funding 14/06/2018WRB0100018. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount allocated under local improvement scheme in 2018, both nationally and in County Louth; if there will be an additional round; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25856/18] 14/06/2018WRB01100Minister for Rural and Community Development (Deputy Michael Ring): I am very pleased to see the strong level of interest in the Local Improvement Scheme since I re-launched the scheme last September. For many years, there was no dedicated funding for LIS, due to the constraints on the public finances. However, the level of interest in this House, at County Council level, and from residents who live on LIS roads, shows the underlying need for the pro- gramme in rural areas where people need good access to houses, farmlands and amenities. In September 2017, following a number of years with no dedicated funding for LIS, I ap- proved €10 million for the scheme nationally. I allocated a further €7.4 million to the scheme from savings elsewhere in my Department’s Vote at the end of November 2017. The total amount allocated to the scheme in 2017 was €17.4 million, which included an allocation of €250,000 for County Louth. Following on from the successful re-launch of the scheme in 2017, I announced details of the 2018 Local Improvement Scheme on 27th February last. I have allocated an initial amount of €10.8 million to County Councils across the country this year under the scheme. The 2018 funding includes an allocation to Louth County Council of €250,000. It is a matter for each County Council to decide which roads to prioritise for works from the funding allocated to them under LIS, and to ensure that all roads meet with the scheme criteria. A local contribution is also made towards the cost of the improvement works. Detailed information regarding the 2018 roads selected by the Louth County Council for improvement works can be found on the Rural Development pages of my Department’s web- site. As part of the 2018 LIS scheme, I also requested each County Council to compile a second- ary list of suitable LIS road projects which they could complete if additional funding becomes 3 Questions - Written Answers available for the scheme later in the year. I will be monitoring the situation in the context of my Department’s overall expenditure performance over the coming months. 14/06/2018WRB01200Rural Development Policy 14/06/2018WRB0130019. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the programmes and schemes planned to develop rural areas outside of towns and villages; the amount of expenditure he expects in these rural areas in 2018 in view of the fact that a large part of the rural population live in the rural countryside; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25026/18] 14/06/2018WRB01400Minister for Rural and Community Development (Deputy Michael Ring): The rural development schemes currently operated by my Department are not confined to towns and vil- lages. For example, the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme provides funding for the de- velopment and maintenance of walking trails, cycleways and blueways which bring visitors to rural areas and support local job creation through the provision of services and accommodation.