Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

My Department operates a range of initiatives, schemes and programmes that support the social and economic development of rural areas and the growth of rural business and enterprise. Relevant schemes include the rural development programme, the CLÁR programme, the rural social scheme, the enterprise scheme for non-Gaeltacht offshore islands and the community services programme and rural recreation schemes.

The Leader element of the Rural Development Programme 2007-13 includes specific measures on rural enterprise development. The overall aim of the new Leader programme is to improve the quality of life in rural areas and promote the diversification of the rural economy, which I believe is key to achieving sustainable economic growth and stability in rural regions. The Deputy will be aware that I launched the programme earlier this year and I expect it to be open to applications from local project promoters shortly. The funding available for the delivery of Leader activities under the rural development programme will amount to €425.4 million, which is almost treble the €150 million made available for the 2000-06 period. The new programme will also complement the other rural development measures operated by my Department.

In addition to the schemes and programmes operated directly by my Department, the Deputy will also be aware that responsibility for the creation of employment in Gaeltacht areas rests with Údarás na Gaeltachta, a body that comes within the ambit of my Department. The work of this body includes the development of rural enterprises. Information on assistance provided by Údarás na Gaeltachta is published in that organisation's annual report and accounts, which under sections 18 and 19 of the Údarás na Gaeltachta Act 1979 are laid annually before each of the Houses of the Oireachtas. Information is also available on its website at www.udaras.ie.

Finally, the Deputy should note that the Western Development Commission, WDC, another body that comes within the ambit of my Department, has responsibility for fostering and promoting economic and social development, including rural enterprise and job creation in the western region. Information on the support provided by the WDC is published in that organisation's annual report and accounts, which are also laid annually before each of the Houses of the Oireachtas. Information is also available on its website at www.wdc.ie.

See this speech in context