John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 13: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the alterations that will be made to the delivery of the new LEADER programme on foot of the value for money review carried out by his Department; when this review will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18920/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 18: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when the new LEADER programme will commence. [18957/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 36: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent of his spending proposals in 2008 under the rural development programme on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18848/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 18 and 36 together.

The new Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 was adopted in July 2007 and will be delivered by my Department and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. This Programme will see an almost three-fold increase in funding available for LEADER type activity in Ireland to €425 million over the lifetime of the Programme.

My Department is responsible for the delivery of Axes 3 and 4 of the Programme. Axis 3 focuses on the quality of life in rural areas and diversification of the rural economy, while Axis 4 deals with the administration of the Local Action Groups who will deliver the measures in Axis 3. The measures to be funded under the new programme include the following:

Diversification into non-agricultural activities for farm families

Support business creation and development

Encouragement of tourism activities

Basic services for economic and rural population

Village renewal and development

Conservation and upgrading of rural heritage

Training and information on adapted and new skills.

The selection process for the Local Action Groups who will deliver the LEADER part of the Rural Development Programme will commence in the immediate future.

As specific funding allocations are dependent on the outcome of this selection process I am unable at this time to detail the funding allocation on a county basis.

The LEADER Programmes 2000-2006 have not been subject to a value for money review by my Department. They have, however, been subject to review as required under the relevant EU regulations.