Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 27: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the steps being taken to combat the impact of growing unemployment rates in rural and Gaeltacht areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24969/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, my Department operates a range of initiatives, schemes and programmes in both rural and Gaeltacht areas supportive of the development and growth of these areas, including measures to reduce and combat the impact of unemployment. The schemes and programmes operated by my Department, which are specifically relevant to the Deputy's query, include the Rural Social Scheme, the Community Services Programme, the Community Development Programme, the Local Development Social Inclusion Programme, the Enterprise Scheme for non-Gaeltacht offshore islands, the Gaeltacht Schemes and the LEADER Programmes 2001-2006, which will close shortly. Further information in regard to these schemes and programmes is available on my Department's website at www.pobail.ie.

Under the Community Services Programme, I can confirm that a total of 1,657 jobs were created in 2006 across the country, and this increased to 1,937 in 2007. In addition, there are currently 2,600 participants on the Rural Social Scheme and a further 130 supervisor positions. It should be noted that both these programmes not only offer employment opportunities in rural and Gaeltacht areas, but also significantly contribute to the social and cultural development of the communities in these areas. This is also the case in relation to the Community Development and Local Development Social Inclusion Programmes, which are delivered by my Department and which target disadvantage and promote social and economic inclusion.

The Deputy should also note that under the LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme 2007–2013, which was launched recently, significant support and funding of the order of €425m will be provided over the lifetime of the Programme, for the development of the rural economy, under Axes 3 and 4 of that Programme. The primary objective of LEADER funding is to improve the quality of life in rural areas and promote the diversification of the rural economy. This overall objective will be facilitated through a number of measures that either directly or indirectly support both the increase of economic activity in rural areas and an increase in employment rates. It is expected that over 12,600 full-time equivalent jobs will be created over the lifetime of the Programme under the various different measures.

With regard to addressing unemployment rates in the Gaeltacht, my Department provides funding for a number of schemes in Gaeltacht areas, which are aimed at strengthening the Irish language as the everyday language of the region. Some of these schemes also provide employment to Irish speaking people, both inside and outside of the Gaeltacht. My Department also provides annual funding to Údarás na Gaeltachta, which operates a range of schemes and initiatives to create and maintain employment opportunities and support economic and social development in the Gaeltacht. Significant progress has been made in recent years in reversing the downward employment trend in the Gaeltacht and in effecting a transition from a declining manufacturing sector to employment in the services sector.

I understand from Údarás na Gaeltachta that 1,038 new jobs in total were created in 2007 and that total employment in Údarás assisted companies now stands at 8,026. This is the first year since 2001 that the full-time employment level has exceeded 8,000. Over 4,000 part-time jobs are also supported by Údarás. Further information in regard to assistance provided by Údarás na Gaeltachta and numbers of jobs created is published in that organisation's Annual Report and Accounts which are laid annually before each of the Houses of the Oireachtas. Information is also available at its website at www.udaras.ie.

The Western Development Commission, another body that also comes within the ambit of my Department, has responsibility for fostering and promoting economic and social development, including job creation in the Western Region. Information in relation to the assistance and support provided by the WDC, and numbers of jobs created, 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 at its website at www.wdc.ie.