Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 639: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when he expects the money to be made available from the new EU Rural Structures Fund; the way he proposes that this will be paid out or made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21113/07]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The new Rural Development Programme for Ireland was approved on July 24th last. The new Programme will see over €425m in funding for Axis 3 (improving the quality of life in rural areas and encouraging diversification of economic activity) and Axis 4 (LEADER) of the Programme delivered through a number of area-based Local Action Groups.

Prospective Local Action Groups will shortly be asked to submit their business plans which will be evaluated by independent assessors. It is hoped to start the delivery of the Programme, at a local level, in Spring 2008.