Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 106: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if there are proposals to redraw the boundaries relating to Leader areas, particularly in relation to a company (details supplied); when these proposals will be decided on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31824/07]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 107: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if, as part of the rural development programme cohesion process, a formal decision has been made by his Department and by the Government in relation to the boundary between East Cork Area Development and West Cork Leader; if this decision has been implemented; and if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing concerns in the Owenabue Valley region arising from the transfer of significant parts of the West Cork Leader area to ECAD. [31829/07]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 107 together.

Deputies will be aware that the core objective of the cohesion process is the alignment of local, community and rural development structures to achieve full coverage by one integrated local development company within a given area. Following three years of extensive consultation with LEADER and Partnership groups to develop the most suitable configurations of groups, the Government decided on 27 March 2007 on the revised areas of coverage for local development companies.

As part of this consultation process, my Department facilitated local organisations in the communities to which the Deputy's questions relate, in conducting a review of needs based on local inputs, to determine how best to deliver services in the area in the future. This review concluded that, in the context of aligning coverage areas, the Carrigaline Electoral Area would be best served by East Cork Area Development Ltd. This was reflected in the March Government Decision, details of which were conveyed to LEADER and Partnership Groups on 4 April last. The new arrangements will facilitate the delivery of local development programmes in the entire Carrigaline electoral area, including the Owenabue Valley, for the first time.

I am told that West Cork LEADER and West Cork Area Partnership have commenced the implementation of the Government Decision in their area. The new West Cork Development Partnership was incorporated on Thursday October 4th, 2007. I understand also that ECAD are also engaged in aligning their governance and membership arrangements with Government requirements. The realignment of local delivery structures will bring the overall number of local development delivery bodies to 55 comprising 38 integrated LEADER/Partnership bodies in rural areas and 17 Partnerships covering urban areas.