Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 427: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if under the Údarás na Gaeltachta, Strategic Development Plan 2005 to 2010, and under the heading of Lesser Developed Areas on page 6 he agrees that service providers included the local shop; if such business in the rural Gaeltacht should be or will be entitled to the usual Gaeltacht grants for home improvements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41135/06]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I understand from Údarás na Gaeltachta that, while its Strategic Development Plan 2005-2010 recognises the need for a network of small industries and service providers, grant assistance is not available to local shops. Given the proliferation of retail businesses over the years without recourse to grant assistance, and in the context also of the possible implications for State aid which could attach to the provision of such assistance, I am satisfied that Údarás has taken an appropriate line in this matter.

Under the Housing (Gaeltacht) Acts, assistance is available to qualified applicants in a Gaeltacht area for building new houses and improving existing houses. A shopkeeper may qualify for a housing grant if his/her place of residence is attached to his/her place of business but any such grant will be confined strictly to the place of residence. Further information regarding the Gaeltacht housing scheme can be found on my Department's website www.pobail.ie.