Ned O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 344: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the supports his Department provided for the provision of two food science advisers to the small scale dairy products and meat and poultry production sectors; the services provided to support small producers over the period of the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41804/09]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has provided funding of €358,932 over 2008 and 2009 for the employment of two Technical Food Advisors by Teagasc. The Advisors support the development and delivery of technical competencies primarily for artisan food business in the meat and dairy sectors. The Advisors liaise with the food businesses to identify the technical and development needs for their products. They work to ensure that best knowledge, skills and technology are 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. In addition, my Department also supports 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. This sector has grown rapidly in recent years. This growth has been greatly facilitated by the work of the Co-ordinator.

Other supports for small producers are provided under the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, which being implemented by 36 Local Action Groups throughout the country. Funding of €425m is available over the lifetime of the Programme and the measures covered include supports for enterprises, 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).

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Question 345: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the schemes and programmes in his Department that support persons in employment in urban and rural areas; his role in developing local and indigenous enterprise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41805/09]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department operates a range of initiatives, schemes and programmes that support the growth of business and enterprise in urban and rural areas. Relevant schemes include the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme (RDP), the Local Development Social Inclusion Programme (LDSIP), the CLÁR programme and the Community Services Programme. My Department is responsible for the implementation of the LEADER elements of the 2007-2013 RDP. A key objective of the Programme focuses on the diversification of the rural economy and specifically provides €48.26m to support micro-enterprises.

This funding will complement the supports provided by the County Enterprise Boards and will focus, in particular, on the development of indigenous rural resources in artisan food, forestry, marine, rural / agri-tourism, cultural heritage and community promoted enterprises; the development of recreational tourism and other complementary tourism supports and environmentally friendly initiatives. Axis 3 and Axis 4 (LEADER) of the RDP commenced in February 2009 and there is currently project activity totalling €5.2 million registered under the Business Creation and Development measure. Over €2.5 million of this is in approved projects with €422,706 in registered expenditure to date.

My Department's LDSIP provides for integrated approaches to identify and support individuals, groups and communities in accessing suitable and sustainable employment and self-employment options. Types of activity supported include: proactive outreach and targeted supports such as complementary education and training, support with work placement, support into self-employment or enterprise, and community enterprise activities. Enterprise support is a feature of the LDSIP and is differentiated from mainstream enterprise initiatives by its focus on disadvantage and on supporting the individual into self-employment or enterprise through training and education, mentoring, networking and after-care as well as small grants towards start-up.

In addition to the above, I would draw the Deputy's attention to the work of Údarás na Gaeltachta and the Western Development Commission (WDC), which are agencies under the aegis of my Department. Údarás na Gaeltachta is working to reverse the downward employment trend in the Gaeltacht and effect the transition from a declining manufacturing sector to employment in services, including Irish-language centred employment. To assist in the current economic climate, an tÚdarás is administering in the Gaeltacht the new Employment Subsidy Scheme and the Enterprise Stabilisation Fund which have been established to address the needs of vulnerable small to medium enterprises.

The WDC Investment Fund supports businesses, community initiatives and 'flagship' projects in the Western Region. It invests directly in sustainable projects, many of which may be experiencing a funding gap. My Department also operates, in conjunction with the relevant County Enterprise Boards, an Enterprise Scheme for the non-Gaeltacht Islands, the aim of which is to encourage the development of both new and existing micro-enterprises on islands outside the Gaeltacht. The introduction of this scheme, which complements the enterprise supports provided by Údaras na Gaeltachta on Gaeltacht islands, recognises the higher costs and locational disadvantage involved in running an island-based business.

I have also allocated some €47m to projects approved under the Community Services Programme. This Programme supports local community activity to address disadvantage, while delivering good quality services and providing employment activities for people from specific target groups, including people with disabilities, travellers, recovering drug users, long-term unemployed and lone parents. A broad range of services are eligible for support and include the management of community, leisure and sports facilities, heritage centres, child care, community media, elder care and transport. Support is provided under the Programme by way of a contribution towards the cost of a manager, where appropriate, and full-time equivalent workers. A small non-wage material and overhead grant is also provided. To date, 454 projects have been approved for funding under the Programme, supporting an estimated 2,700 positions.