Written answers

Tuesday, 23 March 2010

Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

Rural Development

8:00 pm

Photo of Joe CareyJoe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 527: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the village renewal and development scheme of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013; the qualifying criteria for this scheme; the procedure for applying; the work which can be carried out under this scheme; the budget and the length of time for which it is intended that the scheme will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12620/10]

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Over the lifetime of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP), funding of €54.2m is available under the Village Renewal and Development Measure. Actions under this Measure are aimed at enhancing the environmental, amenity and surface structural aspects of communities and they complement other Axis 3 measures, particularly those targeting tourism and conservation of the local heritage. All actions under this Measure involving public areas must be agreed with the relevant local authority.

Eligible activities under this Measure include: - Environmental upgrading (such as upgrading parks, civic areas, river walks, etc); - Access facilities to amenities; - Public utilities such as street lighting (but excluding water, sewage and major road works); - General appearance upgrading (such as ornamental paving, street art, ornamental lighting, etc) and renovation of relevant derelict buildings (excluding traditional farm buildings, which will be eligible for support under Axis 2); and - Farmers' markets.

Both individuals/private companies and community groups are eligible to apply for funding under this Measure. Individuals/private companies are eligible for 50% support with a maximum grant of up to €150,000 (with the exception of "Analysis and Development" work, which may receive 75% support with a maximum grant of €30,000). In exceptional circumstances, and subject to the prior written approval of my Department, grant aid of up to €200,000 may be awarded to projects.

Community organisations are eligible for grant aid of up to 75% with a maximum grant of up to €150,000 (with the exception of "Analysis and Development" work, which may receive 90% support with a maximum grant of €30,000). In exceptional circumstances, and subject to the prior written approval of my Department, grant aid of up to €500,000 is available to non-commercial community projects.

A number of Local Action Groups (LAGs) have been contracted by my Department to deliver the RDP. In this context, my Department has issued a set of operating rules to each group, based on the EU Regulations which govern the programme.

In line with the bottom-up nature of the RDP, the Deputy should note that the LAG is the principal decision-maker in relation to the allocation of project funding to individual applicants. Funding decisions are made by the LAG, following extensive evaluation and approval processes in the context of its local strategy and in line with the operating rules and EU Regulations. To date, expenditure of some €796,000 has been registered under this Measure and a further €1.5m of project commitments is in train.

Groups or individuals interested in applying for funding under the RDP should contact their local LAG for further information.

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