Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 31: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the recent EU deal that will see a continuation of payments from the EU for rural development programmes from 2007; the services this money will be spent on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22600/05]

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 43: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the level of funding to be allocated to Ireland under the EU Rural Development Measure 2007-2013; his views on whether the existing level of EU funding under this measure can be sustained; the measures under way between his Department and the Department of Agriculture and Food to develop a coherent programme to allocate such funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22750/05]

Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 44: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the way in which the recent deal on the European Union agreement on rural funding will affect rural communities here. [22734/05]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 31, 43 and 44 together.

The agreement negotiated at the recent meeting of the Council of Agriculture Ministers in Luxembourg marked the culmination of important negotiations. Throughout these negotiations my Department has worked in close partnership with the Department of Agriculture and Food. This collegiate approach will continue as we now proceed to prepare a national rural development plan.

The recent EU agreement covers a wide range of measures including on-farm investment, agri-environment measures, support for young farmers, food processing and Leader. The format allows flexibility for the continuation of current successful rural development programming, by grouping measures under the three main objectives of competitiveness, the environment and the wider rural economy.

While the actual amount of funding must await agreement on the EU budget, I welcome the stipulation that at least 10% of the money Ireland receives under the European agriculture fund for rural development will now be spent on the provision of services and-or support in the rural economy beyond the farm gate. A minimum funding level of 5% will be dedicated to mainstreaming the Leader methodology, which is almost double the present level of funding. Overall, this will mean a considerable increase in support for rural development programmes implemented by my Department. The agreement also provides for basic services for the economy and rural population and a new provision which will cover cultural and leisure activities.

Overall, this new approach to rural development is likely to enable development of a fuller range of programmes and projects to be supported, leading to the creation of new enterprises and employment opportunities and helping to achieve the Government's objective of balanced regional development and sustainable and vibrant rural communities. Work will now commence on a national rural development plan which will include preparation of a joint national rural development strategy and a detailed national rural development programme. The process will include working closely with stakeholders.