Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 561: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will provide details of the number of staff and the salary grades of those employed in each LEADER partnership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38492/10]

Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 562: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount spent in 2009 by each LEADER partnership on administration as a proportion of overall budget; the amount expected to be spent in the same context in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38493/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 561 and 562 together.

As the Deputy is aware, my Department is responsible for the delivery of Axes 3 & 4 of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP), for which overall funding of the order of €425m is available. The main objectives of the programme are to improve the quality of life in rural areas and facilitate the diversification of the rural economy. 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 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.

The integrated local development companies contracted to deliver Axes 3 & 4 (LEADER) of the RDP are independent private limited companies. My Department does not have a role in the human resource elements of the management of such companies. All employment and remuneration considerations are a matter for the individual companies in question.

Under the relevant measure of Axis 4 of the RDP, there is provision for funding to cover the running costs of the companies, which are given a specific allocation in this regard over the lifetime of the programme. Under EU regulations, the allocation under this measure cannot exceed 20% of the overall programme allocation. The table below details the percentage of the overall allocation in respect of administration for each group in 2009 and allocated for 2010.