Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 123: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the contact he has had with the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs in respect of rural development funding, local action groups and county enterprise boards; if funding from the Leader programme will be diverted into his Department; if there is an alternative to diverting funds from the Leader programme by making more funds available to enterprise boards to develop enterprise and job creation at a local level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36183/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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In response to requests from County Enterprise Boards for additional funding to support job creation, I have had discussions with my colleague the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs in the context of maximising State support to enterprise through considering all streams of available funding, including funding available under Leader and funding for the CEBs. The capital allocation for the CEBs in 2010 is almost €15m. This allocation represents a strong State investment in the micro-enterprise sector notwithstanding the significant pressure on the Public finances. I expect to be in a position shortly to announce additional capital allocations to the CEBs from within my Departments Vote to meet their demand for funds to support approved job creation requests from clients over the remainder of this year. However, I will be working with my Ministerial Colleagues to ensure we maximise the use of available funding for enterprise including the Leader Programme.