Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 813: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will respond to a query (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39010/09]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Each Local Action Group contracted to deliver the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 is a company limited by guarantee and allocates its project funding on the basis of detailed local development strategies and following extensive evaluation and approval processes. In line with the bottom-up nature of the LEADER approach, the Group is the decision maker in the allocation of project funding. My Department does not have a role to play in this regard. Funding is available to community groups and private promoters for project activity under the following measures of the Programme: - Diversification into non-agricultural activities - Support for business creation and development - Encouragement of tourism activities - Basic services for the economy and rural population - Village renewal and development - Conservation and upgrading of the rural heritage - Training and Information - Implementing co-operation projects Community Child Care facilities, of themselves, are not eligible under the Rural Development Programme.

The Company in question has been given an indicative allocation of €14,028,529 over the lifetime of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 covering both administration and project activity. Clare Local Development Company has been given a project allocation of €2,184,253 so far for the period 2009-2011. The group have completed or committed to project activity amounting to €963,162.00 and currently have a further €1,221,091 to allocate for this period.

I am arranging for the contact details of the company in question to be sent directly to the Deputy.