Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 46: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the recently published review of enterprise support in rural areas; if he intends fully to support the implementation of its recommendations in terms of his Department's role in rural development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5818/05]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The review of enterprise support in rural areas was launched on 17 January 2005 at my Department's national rural development forum.

With my colleagues, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, whose areas of responsibility are also covered in the report, I am now examining the recommendations.

Decisions on implementation will, as appropriate, take account of the wider policy context and the operations and enterprise support strategies of development agencies.

I will also be taking account of the rural enterprise report in the context of the post-2006 EU rural development programmes. The provisions of the draft EU regulation, which will apply to the period 2007-2013, include diversification of the rural economy through, for example, development of micro-enterprises and rural tourism. Implementation will be through a local development strategy based on the Leader methodology. The negotiations on the details of how these arrangements, including funding, are to be implemented continue at EU level.