Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Question 229: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if grant aid from Leader funds will be made available to a person (details supplied) to complete their studies. [10257/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Axes 3 and 4(LEADER) of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007-2013 have total funding of €427m available to be allocated to qualifying projects up to the end of 2013. One of the objectives of the RDP is to equip rural dwellers and communities with the appropriate range of skills and training to derive maximum social and economic benefit from the initiatives available under the Axes. Support in this regard is provided for in the Training and Information measure which has an overall programme allocation of €29.45m.

The types of support that may be provided under this measure include the provision of flexible learning opportunities in new technology for women, young people and minority groups in particular; the development of training facilities in rural areas both fixed and mobile; facilitation of distant learning through the use of new technologies and developing the capacity of rural dwellers to utilise ICT including the internet and other public/commercial electronic applications. However, the regulatory framework provides that support under this measure shall not include courses of instruction or training which form part of normal education programmes or systems at secondary or higher levels. Support for mainstream vocational education and training programmes specifically geared to the general labour market are the remit of the European Social Fund (ESF). Training available under the RDP is targeted towards responding only to local community niche needs specific to the measures contained in the programme, e.g. learning to utilise ICT to enhance a rural tourism project. In this context the course outlined in the question would not be eligible for support under the Rural Development Programme.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 230: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of Leader applications under consideration by him because the proposed grant was more than €150,000; the date each request for approval was received by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10354/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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To date 53 such applications have been received by my Department, 40 of which have received approval to proceed. A full and detailed assessment of each of these projects is required and my Department is awaiting clarifications in relation to two projects. A further four were returned for re-consideration to the relevant Local Action Group as the projects as proposed could not be approved. The assessment of the seven remaining projects is nearing completion following receipt of necessary clarifications from the relevant groups and these applications were received on the following dates:

22 December 2010

25 January 2011

28 February 2011 (two applications)

14 March 2011

31 March 2011

4 May 2011