Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1031: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the detail of the revised rural development programme will be finalised; if he will elaborate on the proposal to create up to 12,000 additional new jobs in this area by 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38413/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I am actively pursuing approval by the European Commission of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) and this process is ongoing at the present time. While the internal process in the Commission is somewhat complex I expect that they will be in a position to approve the Programme before the end of the year.

Axis 3 of the RDP, which deals with the wider rural economy, includes particular measures in relation to rural enterprise development and diversification. Funding under the LEADER elements of the RDP for the period 2007-2013 will amount to €425.4 million. The measures under this element of the RDP are expected to result in approximately 12,000 new jobs during the lifetime of the programme. They fall within the remit of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.