Written answers

Tuesday, 20 May 2008

Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

Departmental Programmes

9:00 pm

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 348: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when the Leader companies will be allocated funding for allocation of grants under the new rural development programme; the categories under which funding will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19662/08]

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that I am launching the LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme this afternoon. The process of selecting Local Action Groups for the delivery of these axes will commence with the issuing of a call for proposals from Local Action Groups tomorrow morning. The selection process will run over the coming months and will culminate in the allocation of funding on the basis of recommendations from independent evaluators. The final allocations will be subject to Government approval.

I expect Local Action Groups to be in a position to commence delivery of axes 3 and 4 of the Programme in October 2008. Funding will available under the following measures:

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.

Total funding available under axes 3 and 4 is €425m, which is almost three times more than the amount available under the 2000-2006 programming round.

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