Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 54: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which he has put forward proposals likely to positively impact on the present economic situation or assist in a national recovery programme; if he will set out the principles of any such proposals and the likely net impact on the economic situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46035/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 62: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs his proposals for any changes in legislation or emphasis on any perceived need for legislation which might have the effect of the creation of opportunities for those throughout the urban and rural communities who are anxious to offer assistance towards economic resurgence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46034/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 352: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs his priorities and objectives to support and encourage community based effort throughout the country in view of the likely need arising from the economic situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46436/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 353: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs his priorities and objectives under the RAPID programme for 2011 and subsequent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46437/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 354: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs his spending intentions under the CLÁR programme in coming year and over the next four years having particular regard to the needs of the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46438/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 355: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans to utilise community effort to generate economic revival over the next four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46439/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 356: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the main areas of expected expenditure by him over the next four years with particular reference to the need to generate economic growth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46440/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 357: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which he has carried out an assessment of the emerging needs of urban and rural communities with a view to how best to address such issues in the ongoing economic situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46441/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 361: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the way he proposes to assist community groups involved in local employment generating projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46446/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 54, 62, 352 to 357, inclusive, and 361 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, my Department operates and administers a range of schemes and programmes that support the social and economic development of rural and urban communities across the country. Details of these schemes, including funding available to assist community groups involved in local employment generating and economic revival projects can be accessed at my Department's website at www.pobail.ie

Key measures that my Department will promote in 2011 to support and encourage community-based effort throughout the country in the current economic situation and to utilise community effort to generate economic revival include the following:

The Local and Community Development Programme, under which a total of €63.5m will be made available in 2011, will assist communities to tackle poverty and social exclusion and encourage local employment opportunities through partnership and constructive engagement between Government and its agencies and people in disadvantaged communities nationally, in both urban and rural settings.

The Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP), with funding of €425m available for the delivery of LEADER-type activities, will continue to be critical to rural communities during the current difficult economic times and will be key to achieving sustainable economic growth and stability in rural regions. To date, the RDP has leveraged private/community funding of approximately €43 million which also aids in the development of strong rural communities as well as economically viable business activity, all of which contributes to the creation of the right conditions for the generation of sustainable, long-term job opportunities.

In Gaeltacht areas, Údarás na Gaeltachta, which, over the two year period 2009-2010, has been provided with some €70m in Exchequer funding, will continue to play a major role in supporting local enterprise through the range of supports it provides to existing and start-up businesses and to local community initiatives.

In terms of promoting rural tourism, my Departments provides supports not only through the tourism measure of the RDP, but directly through the work of Comhairle na Tuaithe, the implementation of my Department's Walks Scheme and other rural recreation initiatives. My Department also provides support for the Irish Summer Colleges, which in 2010 catered for over 24,000 students attending courses in the Gaeltacht while being accommodated in over 600 households throughout the region, and are central to the promotion of rural cultural tourism in the Gaeltacht. Waterways Ireland, which is co-sponsored by my Department, is also engaged in the promotion and development of rural tourism within the context of its mandate in relation to the development of our inland waterways, which are a valuable and precious tourism resource.

In the current economic circumstances, we are faced with difficult decisions. The Government has considered a number of measures in the context of the National Recovery Plan 2011-14 and Budget 2011 to provide the basis for a sustainable approach to the current financial situation. Across Government, our approach has been to do this in as balanced a way as possible.

However, as the Deputy will be aware, allocations to most subheads in my Department's Vote have been reduced by varying amounts in the Budget, as is the case in all Departments. Within this context, my primary concern is to make every effort to ensure that the daily front-line services which are being provided with funding from my Department are protected, especially those focused on the needs of the most socially deprived communities. In the prevailing financial circumstances, it is clear that objectives will have to be pursued with less resources than previously. However, we will continue to strive to achieve good outcomes and value for money, notwithstanding these constraints. In the case of a number of my Department's capital programmes, such as CLÁR, the focus in 2011 will be on meeting existing commitments, rather than initiating new measures or projects.

Clearly, the changed circumstances in which we live today require a sharpening of focus for us all in terms of addressing the nature of the problems which now present themselves. In response to this changing context, working more closely with communities and providing focused and effective supports at local level will be key objectives for my Department in the coming period.

With regard to the issue of future legislative proposals, the main proposals envisaged at present are

A Bill to amend the Dormant Accounts legislation for the purpose of improving the administrative efficiency of the existing operations of the Dormant Accounts Fund. It is anticipated that this Bill will be published shortly.

Arising from the 20-year Strategy for the Irish Language, legislation will be brought forward in 2011 to establish an Irish Language and Gaeltacht Authority with responsibility for Irish language matters throughout the State. The new Authority will assume responsibility, inter alia, for relevant functions currently performed by Údarás na Gaeltachta, including an enterprise function.