Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 97: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the Leader programmes; if the various groups are in a position to allocate funds for 2009; and if funds have been allocated to date under the programme. [16724/09]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Leader-type supports are available for the 2007-13 programming period as part of Ireland's Rural Development Programme. The focus of these supports is on improving quality of life in rural areas and diversification of the rural economy and €425 million is available over this period, which is 55% co-funded by the EU.

Contracts with all but one Local Action Group have now been signed to implement these supports throughout the country. I expect the final contract to be signed in the near future. The 35 contracted groups are now operational and in receipt of funding under the programme. I understand more than 50 projects have been approved by the groups to date, involving a total public commitment to rural projects of almost €1.5 million.