Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Senator Cullinane’s interest in the south east, not just Waterford.

Deputy Áine Collins referred to the elimination of duplication and LEOs. I share her sentiments. I am aware of her document on mentoring. I have asked a number of people to examine it to ascertain what we can do. In the previous round of funding, training under the rural development programme included €9 million for mentoring. A further €16 million has been committed for the purpose and a total of €25 million remains to be allocated. Much funding is available for north Cork to get a slice of the pie for mentoring and training purposes, perhaps along the lines of the co-operative movement to which the Deputy referred. The Leader and rural development programme is the only source of funding which is still available.

In response to Senator Quinn, to date we have spent €17 million in the current programme on tourism projects. A further €28 million of funding has been committed. A number of agritourism projects exist and I hope investment in them will continue in 2013.