Darragh O'Brien (Dublin North, Fianna Fail)
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Question 343: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the role he has in supporting the development of local food production and related enterprise in rural areas; the provision in the rural development programme to fund the growth of such local business; his plans to make such funding available to the Fingal area for 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41802/09]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 – which are currently being implemented by 36 Local Action Groups throughout the country - aim to improve the quality of life in rural areas and promote the diversification of the rural economy. The funding available for the delivery of these LEADER activities amounts to over €425m and includes a number of measures that support enterprise, including local food production and related enterprise.

For example, under the Support for Business Creation and Development measure, €48.26m will be available over the lifetime of the Programme for a range of rural enterprise activity based on the exploitation of traditional rural resources. Other measures also provide funding that facilitates support for such enterprises including;

?Diversification into Non-Agricultural Activities (€16.66m);

?Encouragement of Tourism Activities (€45.4m);

?Basic Services for the Economy and Rural Population (€49.61m); and

?Implementing Co-operation Projects (€10.7m).

Fingal LEADER Partnership is one of 36 groups contracted by my Department to deliver the Programme. The Group was awarded an overall amount of €7,766,780 for the duration of the Programme with almost a million (€920,000.00) of that amount assigned to the Business Creation and Development Measure as part of their local development strategy. The group was given an allocation of €514,549 for 2009 and have been given an initial project allocation of €237,861 for 2010. Full allocations for 2010 will not be finalised until the completion of the current estimates process.

My Department also provides support to Teagasc for the employment of two Technical Food Advisors who work on the development and delivery of technical support primarily for artisan food business in the meat and dairy sectors. They liaise with the food businesses to identify the technical and development needs for their products. They enable knowledge, skills and technology to be made available through training, advice and technical support to facilitate these businesses to continue to produce safe, healthy and distinctive foods to a high standard. Since 2004 funding has also been provided towards the employment of a Small Foods Co-ordinator to work with LEADER groups, statutory bodies, representative organisation networks and others in developing and supporting the small food producers sector.