Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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Question 116: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the supports provided by him towards the implementation of the Julianstown village design statement pilot project, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26560/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Funding of €427m is available under the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007-2013 for allocation to qualifying projects up to the end of 2013. One of the objectives of the RDP is to provide appropriate supports to enhance the economic and social attractiveness of villages, small towns and the surrounding countryside. In this context the development and implementation of Village Design statements could be eligible for support under the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013.

There are 36 Local Action Groups contracted, on my Department's behalf, to deliver the RDP throughout the country and these groups are the principal decision-makers in relation to the allocation of project funding. Such 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.

My Department has been in touch with Meath Partnership, the group responsible for the Julianstown area and they have confirmed that two elements of the Julianstown Village Design Statement, a community garden and a heritage brochure have already received funding under the RDP. In keeping with the bottom-up philosophy underpinning the delivery of the RDP, decisions regarding RDP funding for any further elements of the plan rest solely with Meath Partnership.