Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 63: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when he expects the new national rural development scheme to be approved and implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36765/05]

Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 72: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the new rural development strategy that he is developing in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture and Food; the person who will be consulted in the formation of this strategy; the person who will oversee its development and implementation; the length of time for the consultation process; when the new strategy will be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36937/05]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 72 together.

One of the key challenges facing rural Ireland in the coming years is how best to achieve an appropriate balance between supporting farming as the traditional source of income in rural areas on the one hand and fostering sustainable economic diversification in rural areas on the other. The recent EU negotiations marked a clear shift from a predominant focus on agriculture income support to a new integrated rural development approach with special emphasis on the rural environment and rural economic development outside the farm gate.

At present, officials from my Department and the Department of Agriculture and Food are finalising the preparation of an overarching national strategy for rural development. This task is being carried out in association with the EU Commission. It is envisaged that the strategy, which is a regulatory requirement, will be formally agreed and adopted very early in 2006.

In the meantime, both Departments recently invited all those with a stake in the future direction of rural development in Ireland to indicate if they wished to be consulted on preparation of the next rural development programme. Formulation of a detailed programme will follow on from the adoption of the national strategy. The response has been very positive with numerous expressions of interest received. In the near future, my Department will issue guidelines to help inform the preparation of submissions regarding the programme. These guidelines will reflect key priorities established in the national strategy.

Preparation of the national programme for rural development will commence once the national strategy has been adopted. It is intended that the national programme will be finalised and agreed with the EU Commission by the middle of 2006 to allow commencement in January 2007.