Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 903: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the request from a company (details supplied) in County Donegal for €70,000 in funding from the community service programme to make up for the shortfall as a result of the suspension of funding from Údáras na Gaeltachta; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1299/09]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 385 of 17 Nollaig 2008. While I received a request from this group for funding under the Community Services programme (CSP), I have already indicated to them that I am not in a position to consider an application. The last call for applications under the Programme was made in 2008 with a closing date of the end of June last. An application was not received from this group in that process. To date, I have announced funding for some 60 successful applicants from the 2008 call and I hope to be in a position to announce further funding in the coming months as proposals are assessed and the level of resources available to the Programme in 2009 become clearer.

The CSP supports a range of community business and social enterprises to deliver a diverse range of local services and employment opportunities. It has a particular focus on the engagement of people who are disadvantaged and in supporting communities that suffer a range of disadvantage or lack of services. Groups supported by the Programme are required to provide good quality employment opportunities and pay the going rate for the work undertaken. Each supported group is required to have the ability to earn the required balance of funding to ensure its operations and its future sustainability through charging for services, fee or trading income. Therefore, a key requirement of the Programme is the degree to which the applicant can demonstrate its ability to earn the balance of the funding required so that its employees are offered good quality jobs at the going rate of pay.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 904: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if, arising from his meeting with representatives requesting funding towards the Clane parish development proposals, County Kildare, progress will be made in the next three to six months; his plans to prioritise same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1318/09]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, I met with Local Representatives during 2008 in respect of these development proposals. Among the issues discussed was the implementation of the Rural Development Programme. My Department manages the implementation of Axes 3 and 4 of this Programme, which is focussed on quality of life in rural areas and diversification of the rural economy and is implemented by Local Action Groups using the LEADER approach.

The Deputy will be aware that I announced the Local Action Groups selected to deliver the Programme on the 4th November last along with their individual funding allocations. The Kildare Local Action Group, Cill Dara ar Aghaidh Teo, received an allocation of €12,282,448 under the Programme. The signing of contracts is currently underway and the Programme will be open to applications for grant assistance in the very near future. The Kildare Local Action Group is the decision-making authority in relation to approving projects falling within its business plan.