Michael Ahern (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 539: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will confirm that recent statements in newspapers that moneys are to be moved from Leader Companies to County Enterprise Boards are accurate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37729/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The main objectives of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 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 build and maintenance of community infrastructure and the provision of training in a variety of disciplines for rural dwellers. I am confident that all of 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 (LAGs) 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 LAGs to explore all possible funding opportunities under the RDP.

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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A revised alternative integration proposal submitted by the three Community Development Projects in Bray is currently under consideration in my Department.

I expect that the projects involved will be advised of the outcome very shortly and I can confirm that officials from my Department are available to meet with them, if necessary.