Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I assure the Deputy that rural development programme funding will be examined in order to support the CEDRA report's recommendations. That report has been allocated a budget of €1 million for specific innovation projects. The roll-out of rural development zones is imminent and we will be working closely with local authorities on local development strategies. We must align all that funding to use it in a targeted fashion, thus supporting community enterprise and job creation. Time is of the essence for me also, so we will not be standing around. In the coming weeks, I will be accepting expressions of interest in the rural development programme. It is all coming into play.

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