Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 195: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he is satisfied that local authority planning criteria are operating in accordance with his previous expressed views with particular reference to rural development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37300/06]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is committed to maintaining the maximum number of people in rural areas and strengthening rural communities economically, socially and culturally. The National Spatial Strategy (NSS) clearly reinforces the Government's commitments to rural development and to the revitalisation of rural areas. As a general principle, subject to good planning practice in matters of location, siting, design and the protection of environmentally sensitive areas and areas of high landscape value, rural generated housing needs should be accommodated in the areas where they arise. The Rural Planning Guidelines are based on the premise that people who have roots in — or links to — rural areas and are part of — and contribute to — the rural community will get planning permission for houses, provided they meet the normal planning requirements. The Guidelines, when introduced in 2005, reflected what I had been saying for a number of years in relation to this issue. They provide a detailed framework for planners, based on the NSS's rural housing policy.

I am satisfied that the Government have put in place a balanced framework in relation to rural planning.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 196: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number and location of rural development projects he has funded in the past five years; his intentions in this regard in 2006 and in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37301/06]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the LEADER Programmes there are now over 7,500 projects in place being delivered by 35 area-based Groups and 3 national bodies. Full commitment of the €150m available for the 2000-06 period is planned to be in place by the end of this year.

There are over 2,500 participants employed under the Rural Social Scheme in approximately 120 different community schemes throughout the country. Within the next few weeks, it is expected that the number of participants will increase to 2,600.

A wide and varied range of projects are also being supported under the CLÁR Programme across over 20 different measures. The Programme supports a range of local and community infrastructural development such as village/housing/schools enhancement, electricity conversion, roads, water supply, sewerage disposal, health, coastal, sports and community projects.

All three programmes will continue to be delivered in 2007. Because of the large numbers of projects involved it is not possible to provide specific locations for all projects. If the Deputy has an enquiry in relation to a particular project or geographic location I will arrange for the information to be provided.