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

Question 64: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the steps he is taking to support local enterprise start ups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45964/10]

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

The Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP) represents a substantial investment in rural areas and has a significant role to play in sustaining and creating rural employment. The main objectives of the RDP are to improve the quality of life in rural areas and facilitate the diversification of the rural economy. Axes 3 & 4 (LEADER) of the RDP, for which my Department has responsibility, continue to facilitate access to significant financial resources for rural communities. Enterprise support has always been a significant element of successive programmes facilitating rural development in Ireland, including the current and previous LEADER elements of such programmes.

I believe that the enterprise funding available under the RDP adds value to other supports available by specifically targeting rural areas and by seeking to reinforce the economic impact of similar and related interventions under other Axes of the RDP and, indeed, other national programmes.

I can assure the Deputy that I work closely with my Cabinet colleagues, particularly the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Mr Batt O'Keeffe, T.D., to promote increased co-operation between groups implementing LEADER and other agencies either directly or indirectly involved in supporting enterprise - specifically the County Enterprise Boards. Our aim is to ensure that we maximise the impact of all of the funding available and support enterprise and job creation in rural areas to the greatest extent possible, while at the same time ensuring that no unnecessary or inefficient overlaps or duplication occur.

The individual measures under the RDP that specifically support enterprise creation and development, including their indicative allocations, are as follows: · Diversification into non-agricultural activities for farm families - €16.66m;

· Support for business creation and development - €48.26m; and

· Encouragement of tourism activities - €45.4m.

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 plays a major role in supporting local enterprise through the range of supports it provides to existing and start-up enterprises. Over the two year period 2009-2010, An tÚdarás has been provided with some €70m in Exchequer funding to allow it to pursue these objectives. In addition to Exchequer-voted funding, An tÚdarás also has access to other sources of income that enable it to promote and stimulate employment creating initiatives - for example, income generated from schemes such as the Community Employment Scheme and the Rural Social Scheme, income from dividends, fees and the sale/lease of assets, and employment support schemes operated by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation.