Deputies:

The main objectives of the rural development programme, RDP, 2007-13 are to improve the quality of life in rural areas and facilitate the diversification of the rural economy. Axes 3 and 4, LEADER, of the RDP, for which my Department has responsibility, continue to facilitate access to significant financial resources for rural communities. Enterprise support has always been a significant element of successive programmes facilitating rural development in Ireland, including the current and previous LEADER elements of such programmes.

Deputies:

I believe that the enterprise funding available under the RDP adds value to other supports available by specifically targeting rural areas and by seeking to reinforce the economic impact of similar and related interventions under other axes of the RDP and, indeed, other national programmes.

Deputies:

I can assure the Deputy that I work closely with my Cabinet colleagues, particularly the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, to promote increased co-operation between groups promoting LEADER and other agencies either directly or indirectly involved in supporting enterprise - specifically the county enterprise boards. Our aim is to ensure that we maximise the impact of all of the funding available and support enterprise and job creation in rural areas to the greatest extent possible, while at the same time ensuring that no unnecessary or inefficient overlaps or duplication occur.

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