John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 544: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 427 and 428 of 26 January 2010 and following the decision to transfer some of the funding to other Departments, the details of the funding now available to each of the local action groups under axis three and axis four of the rural development programme, in comparison to the figures given in the replies of 26 January 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35999/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that the information included in the reply to the Questions of 26 January 2010 referred to regarding the funding available under Axes 3 and 4 of the Rural Development Programme 2007-13 (RDP) has not changed. The main objectives of the Programme are to improve the quality of life in rural areas and facilitate the diversification of the rural economy, and the individual measures under the Programme, including indicative allocations, are as follows: · Diversification into non-agricultural activities for farm families - €16.66m; · Support for business creation and development - €48.26m; · Encouragement of tourism activities - €45.4m; · Basic services for the economy and rural population - €49.61m; · Village renewal and development - €54.2m; · Conservation and upgrading of the rural heritage - €51.7m; · Training and information on adapted and new skills - €29.45m; and · Implementing co-operation projects – €10.7m.

I am pleased with the progress to date under the RDP, which continues to facilitate access to significant financial resources for rural communities since it started in 2009. This has resulted in the proliferation of innovative and sustainable development projects all over the country, which are providing invaluable support to rural communities in these difficult times, and there is no question of funds being diverted away from the RDP.

The RDP currently has registered project activity of €72 million, with almost €30 million at an advanced stage of development. Expenditure to date amounts to almost €47 million, which includes funding for a diverse range of projects from support for micro-enterprise in rural areas to the building and maintenance of community infrastructure, and the provision of training in a variety of disciplines for rural dwellers. I am confident that the activity funded under the RDP to date is contributing to the creation of the right conditions for the generation of sustainable, long-term job opportunities in rural areas. My Department and I will be working closely with Minister Batt O'Keeffe and his Department in the coming months to promote increased co-operation between Local Action Groups and County Enterprise Boards in order to ensure that we maximise the impact of all of the funding available and fully support enterprise and job creation in rural areas.

I can assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to work with rural communities through their Local Action Groups to explore all possible funding opportunities under the RDP.