Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 187: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount of his Department's rural development fund which has been spent to date; the schemes and proposals which have been awarded funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22704/04]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, the purpose of the rural development fund is to support research, evaluation and pilot actions. It is not practical to itemise here all projects which have been supported to date but I am arranging to have the Deputy sent the information directly. A number of other proposals, in addition to those on the list being sent to the Deputy, are under consideration.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 189: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when the next rural development forum will take place; the agenda for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22683/04]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The sixth meeting of the national rural development forum will take place on 1 November 2004 in Athlone, County Westmeath.

The agenda for the forum has not yet been finalised. However, I expect the programme to include a progress report on current rural development policy issues, implementation of the rural social scheme and the recent draft EU rural development regulation. In view of the pace of change — both at national and EU level — in rural development policy, the agenda is likely to reflect such change and the implications for re-evaluation, as necessary, of current policies.