David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 13: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the support his Department provides for the development of rural enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25037/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department currently provides support for the development of rural enterprises under a number of schemes and programmes, including the Rural Social Scheme, the Community Services Programme, the Enterprise Scheme for non-Gaeltacht offshore islands, and the LEADER programme 2001–2006, which will close shortly. Each of these schemes and programmes encourage social and economic development, and support the growth of rural business and enterprises. Further information in regard to these schemes and programmes is available on my Department's website at www.pobail.ie. In addition to these schemes and programmes, the LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme 2007–2013, which was launched recently, will provide significant support for the development of rural enterprises under Axes 3 and 4 of that Programme.

Axis 3 provides funding to improve the quality of life in rural areas and promote the diversification of the rural economy. Though all measures in the programme have relevance, the primary measure supporting the development of rural enterprise is the Support for Business Creation and Development measure. The aim of this measure is to position rural areas so that they can provide economic activity of sufficient mass to attract people to live and work in rural areas. Under this measure, funding of the order of €48.26m will be provided over the life of the Programme for a wide range of rural enterprise activity. It is expected that approximately 10,000 new or existing micro-enterprises will be supported with the potential to create 7,000 jobs over the lifetime of the Programme.

In addition to the schemes and programmes operated directly by my Department, the Deputy will also be aware that responsibility for the creation of employment in Gaeltacht areas rests with Údarás na Gaeltachta, a body that comes within the ambit of my Department, and the work of this body includes the development of rural enterprises. Information in relation to assistance provided by Údarás na Gaeltachta is published in that organisation's Annual Report and Accounts which, under sections 18 and 19 of the Údarás na Gaeltachta Act 1979, are laid annually before each of the Houses of the Oireachtas. Information is also available on its website at www.udaras.ie.

Finally, the Deputy should note that the Western Development Commission, another body that comes within the ambit of my Department, has responsibility for fostering and promoting economic and social development, including rural enterprise and job creation in the Western Region. Information in relation to the support provided by the WDC is published in that organisation's Annual Report and Accounts, which are also laid annually before each of the Houses of the Oireachtas. Information is also available on its website at www.wdc.ie.