Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 867: 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. [47839/08]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 872: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made in relation to the programme for Government proposal to provide a well funded rural enterprise policy to focus on a broad spectrum of rural enterprise with a special emphasis on artisan and small food production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47846/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 867 and 872 together.

This Department's recent progress report in relation to the Programme for Government can be accessed on the Department of the Taoiseach's website at:

http://193.178.1.117/attached

Of the foregoing I might particularly mention the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (Axes 3&4). The overall aim of these aspects of the Programme is to improve the quality of life in rural areas and promote the diversification of the rural economy. Support for Business Creation and Development is the primary measure supporting enterprise development artisan and speciality food production. The Deputy will be aware that I announced the Local Action Groups selected to deliver the Programme on the 4th of November 2008 along with their individual funding allocations. The signing of contracts is currently underway and I expect the Programme to be open to applications for grant assistance in the very near future.

In addition, a number of initiatives designed to promote and encourage artisan food production have been supported by my Department. Funding of €81,000 was provided from the Rural Development Fund for the appointment of a Small Food Producers Coordinator to work with LEADER groups, statutory bodies, representative organisation networks and others in developing and supporting the small food producers sector during 2008. The artisan food study tours 'Terra Madre' took place in September, with the help of funding from my Department. 500 participants visited leading food producers in five Counties in the South East of Ireland. Many of these food producers have received LEADER funding from my Department.

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. 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 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. Further 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.