Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 189: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the funding available to assist tidy town committees in their work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31520/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The guiding principle of TidyTowns is volunteerism and self-help, using one's own skills and resources. There is no specific funding scheme for TidyTowns groups but they, like any community group, can qualify under other schemes. The TidyTowns Unit of my Department is responsible for the payment of prize monies, provided through sponsorships, to the various category winners in the TidyTowns and associated competitions. In 2011 prize money of €208,900 was disbursed to 235 winners.

My Department provides funding through the LA21 Environmental Partnership Fund to assist small scale, local, non-profit environmental projects aimed at increasing environmental awareness and developing sustainable communities. Community groups, including TidyTowns groups, can apply for funding for a variety of environmental projects. Application for funding is made to the relevant local authority who matches the funding provided by my Department. A total of 517 projects were funded under the scheme in 2011. My Department is providing funding of €337,000 for the scheme in 2012. An invitation to community groups to submit proposals for the 2012 scheme is currently open; submissions are to be returned to the relevant local authority by 11 July.

In addition Axes 3 & 4 (LEADER) of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007-2013, which is currently being implemented on my Department's behalf by 35 Local Action Groups, aims to improve the quality of life in rural areas and promote the diversification of the rural economy. Over €300m in funding will be available through my Department for the delivery of the Programme over the current programming period. The RDP is designed to address directly many of the challenges facing rural communities including the need to increase economic activity and stimulate job creation; improve access to basic services for rural dwellers and encourage rural tourism based on sustainable development of natural resources.

In the context of support for rural communities including those involved in TidyTowns initiatives, funding can be provided for the upgrade, maintenance and development of community areas and amenities in eligible towns and villages. A large number of TidyTowns initiatives have already received funding from the LEADER elements of the RDP since it commenced in 2009 and the level of funding commitment to these kinds of initiatives is significant. If any individual or community group wishes to find out more about these funding opportunities they should contact their Local Action Group (LEADER Company), the contact details can be found on my Department's website www.environ.ie.