Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Question 413: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the inability of the Leader programme to fund food related labour intensive projects under the Access 3 criteria, if he will take the necessary steps to resolve the matter in order that these projects can be funded as soon as possible thereby ensuring that the jobs potential is harnessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18265/11]

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 425: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the progress made in resolving the EU-Government decision not to fund rural food enterprise projects under Leader Access I; if a fund of €25 million will be set aside for such projects in view of the level of demand countrywide; if the rate of funding will be increased up to at least 50% for such projects; if he will detail all action taken to date by him to resolve this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18541/11]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 428: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider the current situation in which Leader companies here are being informed that they cannot fund any food projects through Leader Programmes Axes 3 & 4; the way Leader or alternative sources can be utilised to fund food projects in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18696/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 413, 425 and 428 together.

I refer to the reply to Question No. 41 of 16 June 2011. My Department is continuing to work with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to seek a solution, and I am not in a position to make any decisions regarding additional funds for the types of project referred to at this time. Any funding decision would fall to be made in the context of the overall budgetary situation later in the year.

The maximum rate of funding that may be made available under Axis 1 to the types of project referred to is 40% as set by EU Regulation.