Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 15: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the sectors which will benefit under the EU Rural Development Scheme 2007 to 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31206/06]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 54: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the allocations received form the European Agriculture Rural Development Fund. [31221/06]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 54 together.

The funding provided from the European Agriculture Rural Development Fund for 2007-2013 represents a trebling of EU and National funding for rural development under a LEADER type programme. This means an increase in the annual budget from an average of €21million per year to at least €60 million per year from a combination of European and National funding.

The new Programme will cover key outside the farm gate measures such as diversification into non-agricultural activities, support for business creation and development, encouragement of tourism activities, basic services for the economy and rural population, village renewal and development and conservation and upgrading of the rural heritage.

Three of the priorities already identified under the new EU Rural Development Programme will be:

the development of recreational tourism including the development of facilities for walking, cycling, angling, pony trekking, bird watching etc. and ancillary facilities such as car parking and other services such as signage, village renewal etc.;

the complementary development of the broader rural tourism package such as upgraded accommodation, food tourism and other services; and

the development of small or regional food sectors to add significantly to the unique experience for our visitors.

This increased commitment by Europe to general rural development is very much in line with Irish Government thinking and will give a major boost to economic activity in rural areas.