John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 311: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will request a public body (details supplied) to reverse the withdrawal of funding that is resulting in the termination of the employment of an Áisitheoir Pobail in Gaeltacht na nDéise; if he will provide additional funding to reverse this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7460/09]

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 312: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has received a request for a meeting from a number of community organisations (details supplied) in County Waterford to discuss the consequences that will result from the termination of the employment of an Áisitheoir Pobail in Gaeltacht na nDéise; when he will grant such a meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7461/09]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 311 and 312 together.

The employment of staff by integrated local development companies such as Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta is a matter for the companies themselves in which I have no function. In relation to funding it is worth noting that MFG have been allocated the largest amount for any group under the recently announced Rural Development Programme.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 313: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the recent changes regarding the level of grant aid available for new micro-enterprises in Gaeltacht areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7506/09]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware of the EU Guidelines on State Aid and of the revised maximum rates of intensity, which came into effect on 1 January 2009. In the context of the Gaeltacht, those changes, which have been laid down at EU level, affect enterprises in the Múscraí Gaeltacht only, where the maximum aid rate available for initial investment has been reduced from 30% to 20%. While I acknowledge that the reduced rate adds to the challenge for Údarás na Gaeltachta in its efforts to promote and encourage enterprise in the Gaeltacht area of Múscraí, I can assure the Deputy that an tÚdarás will continue to assist micro-enterprises in all of the Gaeltacht areas, including Muscraí, based on the merits and needs of each case.