Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 180: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount spent to date on the young people's facilities and services fund under the national development plan; the amount estimated to be spent by the end of the NDP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24620/07]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Young People's Facilities & Services Fund (YPFSF) was established in 1998 to assist in the development of facilities (including sport and recreational facilities) and services in disadvantaged areas where a significant drug problem existed or had the potential to develop.

At the end of 2006, approximately €129m had been spent under the National Development Plan 2000-2006. This figure includes expenditure on projects which were mainstreamed to the Department of Education & Science and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, as well as the Springboard Initiative under the aegis of the Department of Health & Children. It is envisaged that total YPFSF expenditure under the NDP 2000-2006 will amount to approximately €137m, taking account of expenditure which continued beyond the end of 2006.

Under the new National Development Plan 2007-2013, a total of €319m has been allocated under the National Drugs Strategy Sub Programme. Of that sum, approximately €118m will be in respect of the YPFSF.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 181: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount spent on the rural development measures of the national development plan to date; the amount estimated to be spent by the end of the NDP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24621/07]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The new National Development Plan (NDP) 2007-2013 has a chapter dedicated to the development of the rural economy. This outlines how the Plan, within the framework of national policies and programmes, will assist the social and economic development of rural areas in the coming years. In this context, it sets out a range of interventions — in areas such as broadband, non-national roads, rural transport initiatives, rural water services, CLÁR, the Rural Social Scheme and LEADER/Rural Economy programmes.

I might briefly set out the position in relation to schemes which come directly within the remit of my Department:

CLÁR

Under the NDP, the CLÁR sub-programme is being allocated €141m over the period of the plan for the on-going regeneration of rural areas suffering from population decline. To date €8m has been spent in 2007.

Rural Social Scheme

Funding of €214m for the RSS for the period 2007-2013 is included in the NDP for the RSS. This clearly confirms the Government's continued and on-going commitment to the Scheme in the coming years. At present, there is provision for 2,600 participants and 130 supervisors on the Scheme and all available places have been allocated. To date, a total of €38,160,306 has been spent in 2007.

Farm Relief Services

Under the NDP Farm Relief Services is being allocated in the region of €4 million for the expansion of existing farm relief services. €593,000 has been spent to-date.

EU Rural Development programme

In tandem with the NDP, the new EU Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 will be rolled out over the coming months. Under the Programme, over €425m will be allocated to support LEADER-type activities. Priorities under the new Programme will include the continued development of the rural/agri-tourism, craft and small food sectors and the delivery of the Countryside Recreation Strategy. Supports for the development of rural enterprise will also be a significant feature under the new Programme.