Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 428: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to establish the new programme for rural enterprise development under the rural development plan 2007 to 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28637/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme for Ireland 2007-2013 represents my Department's response to the commitment in the Programme for Government in relation to rural enterprise development. The Deputy will be aware that I launched the LEADER elements (Axes 3 & 4) of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 on 20th May 2008. The funding available for the delivery of LEADER-type activities under this Rural Development Programme will amount to €425.4 million — almost treble the €150 million available for the 2000-06 period. The new Programme will complement the other funding for rural development measures by my Department.

The overall aim of the Rural Development Programme is to improve the quality of life in rural areas and promote the diversification of the rural economy. Under the Support for Business Creation and Development measure, €48.26m will be available over the life of Programme for a range of rural enterprise activity based on the exploitation of traditional rural resources. 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.

It is expected that approximately 10,000 new or existing micro-enterprises will be supported with the potential to create 12,600 fulltime equivalent jobs over the lifetime of the Programme.

I expect the Programme to be open to applications for grant assistance in late October 2008 when the process for selecting Local Action Groups to deliver the Programme has been completed.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 429: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to double funding for the CLÁR programme to enable rural infrastructure deficits to be tackled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28640/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to my replies to Question No. 183 of 14th May 2008 and to Question No. 14 of 3rd April 2008. I have nothing further to add at this stage.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 430: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to establish community and development agencies as a one-stop shop for advice on grant supports, business opportunities, training and development, and to manage grant spending under the new EU fund for rural development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28641/08]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 445: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to ensure that islands through Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann will have their own dedicated LEADER partnership company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28663/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 430 and 445 together.

Further to my response to Questions No. 184 and 194 of 14th May 2008, proposals have now been received for the establishment of integrated local development bodies in each of the operational areas agreed by the Government. Transitional arrangements are being made for 2008 to enable the new integrated structures to extend their areas of coverage and to embed their operations. In respect of the islands, a new integrated structure, Comhar na nOileáin Teoranta, was incorporated on 8th November 2007.