Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 210: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the role of the local action groups; the services falling under their remit; the make-up of their boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13234/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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There are 52 Integrated Local Development Partnerships (also known as Local Development Companies), 36 of which are known as Local Action Groups or LEADER companies. These not-for-profit companies were established to promote and facilitate the development of their own specific areas. Many of the group areas of activity coincide with county boundaries, others are based in urban areas and some cover areas bridging two or more counties. The boards of these companies are drawn from community, farming and enterprise organisations as well as State agencies and Local Authorities. The companies are contracted by my Department and other Departments to deliver a diverse range of programmes and initiatives. The companies deliver three main programmes that relate to my Department.

Some 36 Local Development Companies (Local Action Groups) are contracted, on my Department's behalf, to deliver Axes 3 and 4 (LEADER) of the Rural Development Programme throughout the country. The groups are the principal decision-makers in relation to the allocation of project funding under this programme. Decisions are made in the context of the local development strategy of the individual groups and in line with Departmental operating rules and EU regulations. 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 and indicative allocations are as follows: diversification into non-agricultural activities for farm families, €16.66 million; support for business creation and development, €48.26 million; encouragement of tourism activities, €45.4million; basic services for the economy and the rural population, €49.61 million; village renewal and development, €54.2 million; conservation and upgrading of the rural heritage, €51.7 million; training and information on adapted and new skills, €29.45 million; and implementing co-operation projects, €10.7 million.

My Department also delivers the Local and Community Development Programme, the objective of which is to tackle poverty and social exclusion through partnership and constructive engagement between the Government and its agencies and people in disadvantaged communities. The programme is underpinned by four high level goals: to promote awareness, knowledge and uptake of a wide range of statutory, voluntary and community services; to increase access to formal and informal educational, recreational and cultural development activities and resources; to increase peoples' work readiness and employment prospects; and to promote engagement with policy, practice and decision making processes on matters affecting local communities. The Local and Community Development Programme is delivered at a local level through all 52 Local Development Companies and a number of alternative structures. Funding of some €63 million has been made available for the programme in 2011. The programme allocation has been maintained at close to 2010 levels.

Some 14 of the 52 Local Development Companies also deliver the walks scheme on behalf of my Department. This scheme has been developed as an innovative response to the provision of recreation trails that are sustainable and maintained on an ongoing basis. It is implemented by a team of 12 rural recreation officers who are directly employed by the Local Development Companies and involves payment to 1,804 landholders to maintain 888 km on 40 trails.