Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 332: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if it is possible to grant funding to a project situated on land in the ownership of Coillte notwithstanding all other elements of the application that would have to be assessed for approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33629/12]

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 333: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if it is possible to grant Leader funding to a project situated on land in the ownership of Coillte notwithstanding all other elements of the application that would have to be assessed for approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33630/12]

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 334: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if it is possible to grant local authority funding such as the Community Fund to a project situated on land in the ownership of Coillte notwithstanding all other elements of the application that would have to be assessed for approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33631/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 332 to 334, inclusive, together.

The operating rules of Axis 3&4 (LEADER) of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP) require legally binding leasing arrangements for any land where works of a capital nature are being carried out by the entity seeking funding (promoter). The promoter must provide evidence of Title/Leasehold in respect of capital projects involving land, e.g. sites of building construction/renovation, fixtures, traffic ways, etc. Leases in respect of such projects must run for a minimum period of 5 years from the date of the final grant payment to the promoter. Where a lease or evidence of title is not available a legal document declaring that the project promoter has permission to carry out the project activities concerned for at least a 5 year period, signed by a person/entity recognised as being the person/entity in charge of the property in question and the promoter, will suffice. A solicitor must witness the signing of this document.

Where leasing arrangements as described above are in place, and not withstanding the full and robust consideration of all other elements of the proposed project, a project situated on Coillte land may be eligible in principle for funding from the LEADER elements of the RDP. Section 109 of the Local Government Act 2001 provides the statutory basis for the establishment of a Community Fund. A local authority may by resolution establish a fund (in this section referred to as a ''community fund'') for the purposes of supporting community initiatives and may accept contributions to such fund by any voluntary, business or community group, other local authority or public authority or other person and may itself make contributions to such fund. The establishment of a fund is discretionary but requires a resolution of the Council.

The Rural Recreation Section of my Department has previously provided funding to Coillte to support the implementation of the National Countryside Recreation Strategy and for the development and maintenance of recreation facilities such as walking and cycling trails. Future support of this nature is subject to the availability of funding.