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Text Box: The Tralee RAPID Programme was established as an initiative of Government in July 2002 in order to prioritise and address social exclusion and improve quality of life in specific areas of Tralee Town. The three RAPID areas are:

CLÁR – Maria West, Administrative Officer summarises the recent changes to areas under the CLÁR Programme.

Text Box: The CLÁR programme (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais), launched in October 2001 is a targeted investment programme in rural areas. In November 2001 Minister Mr. Eamon Ó Cuív visited Kerry and announced details of the new Government Programme for Revitalising Rural Areas, called Clár. The areas selected for inclusion in the CLÁR programme are those which suffered the greatest population decline from 1926 to 1996. The programme is co-ordinated by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in association with the County Development Boards. The Kerry County Development Board, acting through the Department of Community & Enterprise in Kerry County Council, co-ordinates the programme locally. CLÁR aims to fast-track National Development Plan spending in the selected regions. A substantial part of Kerry is included in the Clár Programme. Much of the Killorglin Electoral Area and parts of the Killarney Electoral Area are included. Most of the Dingle Electoral Area and two DEDs in the Tralee Electoral Area are also included. In January 2003 Minister Ó Cuív announced an extension of CLÁR areas. The extension has been applied to seven DEDs in Kerry. This extension is welcome together with the announcement by Government that the CLÁR programme is being extended by a further three years up to 2006. Kerry County Council actively promotes and co-ordinates the operation of the CLÁR programme within the County and all allocations granted to the Council to date have been spent i.e. roads infrastructure and water supply schemes. Other organisations in County Kerry have also received funding in respect of initiatives regarding sports capital grants, health projects, etc.