Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 709: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans for changes, alterations, amalgamation or administration in the matter of the rural development programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15335/07]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The new Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 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.

I would also refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question number 43 which I answered today which provides details in relation to the improvement of on-the-ground services, where City and County Development Boards have been mandated to oversee the cohesion process at a local level and to facilitate the development of cohesion proposals by local agencies, including those delivering rural development programmes.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 710: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the way his plans for the future operation of rural or urban development schemes funded by his Department are expected to be affected by administrative changes he has in mind; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15336/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 711: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the sources of funding for the various community, urban and rural support schemes operated by his Department; those not funded by his Department; his proposals for their operation in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15337/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 716: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his proposals for the funding of urban or rural community and development programmes in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15342/07]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 710, 711 and 716 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, my Department implements and funds a wide range of measures, schemes and programmes for the development and support of various communities, urban and rural. The sources of funding for these schemes and programmes are the Exchequer, EU and the Dormant Accounts Fund. Details of these can be found on my Department's website www.pobail.ie.

These schemes and programmes currently are being operated and delivered in line with the current Programme for Government. The future operation and funding supports provided by my Department's schemes and programmes for the development of urban and rural communities will be line with the next Programme for Government, the National Development Plan 2007-2013 and the ongoing emerging needs of communities, both urban and rural.

In relation to the new Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, I can confirm that the 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.

In respect of the Deputy's query regarding the future operation of rural or urban development schemes funded by this Department and the administrative changes arising, I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question number 15007/07, which I answered recently, and which provides details in relation to the improvement of on-the-ground services, where City and County Development Boards have been mandated to oversee the cohesion process at a local level and to facilitate the development of cohesion proposals by local agencies. Finally, the Deputy will appreciate that I have no function in relation to urban/rural support schemes not funded by my Department.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 712: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the expenditure under the CLÁR scheme expected in 2007; the way this compares with 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15338/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 714: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the expected expenditure under the CLÁR scheme in County Kildare in 2007; the way this compares with 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15340/07]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 712 and 714 together.

The CLÁR Programme is a targeted investment programme in rural areas. The areas originally selected for inclusion in the programme were those that suffered the greatest population decline from 1926 to 1996, with the exception of the Cooley Peninsula (which was included based on the serious difficulties caused there by Food and Mouth disease).

The areas covered by CLÁR were reviewed in 2003 and, again, in 2006. The total number of counties now covered is 23 with a population of nearly 727,000. Kildare was not selected for inclusion in the Programme at any time as it did not fit the criteria in terms of population loss. Consequently, there is no CLÁR expenditure in Kildare.

Funding of €18.683m is provided for the CLÁR Programme in my Department's Estimates for 2007. In 2006, expenditure was just over €23m, which reflects the expansion of the Programme from 18 to 23 counties which took place during that year. I am confident that the funding available for the Programme in 2007 will be sufficient to meet demands.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 713: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the expenditure under the RAPID scheme expected in 2007; the way this compares with 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15339/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 715: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the expected expenditure under the RAPID scheme in County Kildare in 2007; the way this compares with 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15341/07]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 713 and 715 together.

The RAPID Programme aims to ensure that priority attention is given to tackling the spatial concentration of poverty and social exclusion within the 45 designated RAPID areas. In addition, in 2006 RAPID priority status was extended to Ballyfermot. This Department, with the support of Pobal, has overall responsibility for the co-ordination of the RAPID programme. It is a matter for individual Departments to report progress with their projects under the RAPID programme. The latest data in respect of the programme is available on Pobal's website under the RAPID section (http://www.pobal.ie/ live/RAPID).

The Deputy will be aware that I introduced the RAPID Leverage Schemes in 2004. Under these schemes, my Department directly funds schemes with other Departments and agencies to provide playgrounds, improve traffic measures, improve health facilities, provide CCTV, support sporting organisations as well as improve local authority housing estates and flat complexes.

Since the introduction of these Schemes I have increased the amount of allocated annually from some €6.5m in 2004 to some €11.0m in 2006. Funds are drawn down from the Department when works have been completed and not necessarily in the year of allocation. The timing of completion of works is outside of the control of my Department.

I am constantly monitoring the Schemes to ensure that they are serving the needs identified by people in the RAPID communities. In 2006, in response to requests, I broadened the Playground Scheme to provide funding for Multi-User Games Areas. This initiative has proved very popular. The Deputy will be aware of the joint initiative announced in January 2007 with my colleague the Minister for Education and Science that will enable €18m worth of investment in schools in RAPID areas. I am satisfied that the allocation of €7.8 million in 2007 is sufficient to meet the funding commitments I have approved for these schemes for this year.

With respect to the Athy RAPID area, funding of some €92,000 was expended on sports top-up grants and traffic calming measures in 2006. The total funding allocated to projects in Athy from the Leverage fund in 2006 was €211,000. Additional allocations will be made during 2007 as the individual schemes open for applications.