113 Mr. McGahon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the length of time it will take to have the new CLÁR programme up and running, especially in the Cooley Peninsula, County Louth; if there will be restrictions on the way in which the projects or the funds may be used; if it will dovetail with Partnership, Interreg, Peace and Reconciliation and other organisations in the Border regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24862/01]

151 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the steps he intends to take to deal with the problem of rural decline addressed in The State of the West report published by the Western Develop ment Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25105/01]

155 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if new structures will be put in place to draw down funds being provided through the new CLÁR programme; if it will work in conjunction with Leader, Peace and Reconciliation, Partnership, INTERREG and other organisations; if there is a limit on when that money may be drawn down; if it will be on a first come basis regardless of regional spread; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24861/01]

159 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the main features of the recently announced CLÁR programme to tackle depopulation, decline and lack of services in rural areas; the basis on which the areas were selected; the total proposed budget for the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25106/01]

230 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will outline the details of the CLÁR programme; the areas of north County Meath which he has included; the amount of grants available; the qualifications required from applicants; when grant aid will be available; if there will be a need for matching funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25225/01]

246 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the extent to which his Department has monitored population trends in rural areas; if research is being done into comparisons between rural population levels and the levels over the past 150 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25296/01]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 113, 151, 155, 159, 230 and 246 together.

In the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness the Government gave a commitment for a targeted investment programme in both urban and rural disadvantaged areas. CLÁR is the programme for revitalising rural areas.