Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 18: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views in relation to the retention of the maximum number of rural farm units and development of rural life in general; the action he is taking to ensure that all such aspects is being addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26496/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 119: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the action he has taken to date to address rural depopulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26833/07]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 119 together.

One of the key goals of my Department is to promote and maintain living and working populations in rural areas by helping to foster sustainable and culturally vibrant communities. Since its establishment in 2002, my Department has been vigorously pursuing policies and programmes that seek to address the changing nature of rural communities, support their development and promote better regional balance.

In the new National Development Plan (NDP) 2007-2013, a chapter has been dedicated to the development of the rural economy. The chapter 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 outlines a range of interventions — which are currently being implemented or are planned — 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 for the Deputies the position in relation to the latter three schemes, which come within the remit of my Department:

CLÁR — Under the NDP, the CLÁR sub-programme will be allocated in the region of €141 million in the period 2007-2013 for the on-going regeneration of rural areas suffering from population decline. The funding will provide for small scale economic and social infrastructure in rural communities and will help to achieve access to a range of essential services such as water supply, sewerage disposal, road access etc.

Rural Social Scheme — Since the introduction of the Rural Social Scheme (RSS), it has become a key part of many rural communities and is very popular with both participants and local sponsors. The Deputies should note that funding for the RSS for the period 2007-2013 is included in the NDP which clearly confirms the Government's continued and on-going commitment to the Scheme in the coming years.

A key feature of the RSS is the flexibility and farmer-friendly nature of the Scheme. One of the key characteristics that has proven attractive for many participants is the Scheme's capacity to offer flexible working arrangements that meet the needs of farming enterprises. Allowing participants to meet their time obligations under the Scheme while not allowing their farming practices to suffer is a very important element of the Scheme's design.

At present, there is provision for 2,600 participants and 130 supervisors on the Scheme and all available places have been allocated. The number of places available on the Scheme for the coming year will be decided in the context of the annual Budgetary process.

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 continued development of rural enterprise will also be a significant feature under the new Programme.

Looking to the future, I believe that the signs are very encouraging for rural communities. As well as the funding that I have just outlined, the implementation of the National Spatial Strategy over the coming years will, I believe, also have a significant positive impact on the development of rural communities.