Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 125: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on whether all areas of County Mayo should be covered under schemes administered by his Department; the steps he will take to include the county as a whole in all schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4398/06]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that my Department already offers a wide range of schemes and projects to all areas of County Mayo. Details are given in the following appendix, as are my plans to extend eligibility, where appropriate.

Appendix

Programme of Grants for Locally Based Community and Voluntary Organisations

All parts of County Mayo are included under the Programme of Grants for Locally Based Community and Voluntary Organisations. The beneficiaries under this scheme are listed on the Department's website — www.pobail.ie.

Scheme of Community Supports for Older People

All parts of County Mayo are included under the Scheme of Community Supports for Older People. The beneficiaries under this scheme are listed on the Department's website — www.pobail.ie.

Dormant Accounts

Dormant Accounts legislation provides for a scheme to disburse unclaimed moneys for projects and programmes designed to alleviate poverty, disability and social deprivation in all areas of the country, including Mayo.

Cohesion Measures

The Cohesion Process aims to achieve the integration of LEADER and Partnership groups by the end of 2006 so that local and rural development programmes are delivered by the one body in each area. In addition, from 1 January 2007, the local development social inclusion programme (LDSIP) is being extended to all areas of the country. These changes will make it much easier for communities who are tackling disadvantage throughout the country to access a wide range of local and community development supports.

CLÁR

Of the 152 District Electoral Divisions (DEDs) in County Mayo, 104 are included in the CLÁR programme. The methodology used in deciding the areas to be included in the programme was identification of the DEDs which lost the most population from 1926 to 1996 for the original CLÁR areas and 1926-2002 for the revised CLÁR areas. Areas included suffered an average population loss of 50% with an aggregate population now of over 4,000. I am satisfied that no other significant areas fulfil the population criteria for inclusion in CLÁR. Funding for projects in the Mayo DEDs under the various measures in the programme totals over €8 million from 2002 to date in 2006. Commitments entered into for the comparable period, yet to be drawn down, amount to over €3 m. Through the co-funded measures operating with other Departments, State agencies and local authorities, these areas also benefit from further funding from both public and private sources. I am satisfied that the needs of the people in the CLÁR areas of County Mayo, which currently covers over 46% of the population for the county, are being met through the efficient and effective delivery of the programme and that CLÁR is making a sustained and strong positive contribution to rural communities there.

Gaeltacht areas

A comprehensive linguistic study of the use of Irish in the Gaeltacht is being carried out at present. It is intended that this will be used a basis for a review of the official Gaeltacht areas. I cannot say at this stage what impact this may or may not have on the Gaeltacht areas in County Mayo.

Islands

All of the Mayo offshore islands are eligible for assistance under Subhead H (Islands) of the Department's vote and Gaeltacht areas of the county are covered under Subhead I (Údarás na Gaeltachta).

Drugs Strategy

Mayo is covered by a Regional Drugs Task Force (whole country covered by either Regional or Local Drugs Task Force).

Rural Social Scheme

This scheme aims to provide an income supplement to small farmers and part-time fishermen who are currently in receipt of long-term social welfare payments while at the same time harnessing their skills for the benefit of rural communities. All of the work undertaken under the Rural Social Scheme (RSS) is beneficial to the local communities. The scheme was introduced on a phased basis initially, and is now being implemented throughout the country on behalf of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs by the LEADER Groups and in the Gaeltacht by the LEADER Groups in conjunction with Údarás na Gaeltachta. Provision has been made under the scheme for 2,500 participants.

Rural Social Scheme in Co. Mayo.

The RSS is being implemented throughout the entire county of Mayo by the following implementing bodies:

·IRD Kiltimagh.

·South West Mayo Development Company Ltd.

·Údarás na Gaeltachta.

·Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta Teoranta.

·Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann.

·Moy Valley Resources.

·Comhar Iorrais LEADER Teo.

To date these implementing bodies have 442 participants on the RSS who are carrying out work projects in rural communities in all regions of Co. Mayo. There are also 24 supervisors to manage and supervise these work projects in their respective areas.