Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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515. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if any special or EU funding avenues are available to island communities for vital services or facilities such as capital funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3738/14]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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My Department has responsibility for the LEADER elements of the EU co-financed Rural Development Programme 2007-2013. Comhar na nOileán Teo is the Local Development Company contracted by my Department to deliver this Programme on the Islands and in the Galway Gaeltacht. Comhar na nOileán had an allocation of €7.2m under the Programme.

Although the current Programme is virtually fully committed Comhar na nOileán has a balance of over €2.5m of existing commitments which it will be paying in 2014. This funding is targeted at improving the quality of life in rural areas and providing greater opportunities for farm diversification. It is focused on the development of micro-enterprises, rural services, rural recreation and rural tourism. By focusing on these services, the Programme will lead to sustainable development, which in turn will ensure prosperity for the rural areas.

In addition, preparations for Ireland’s Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 have begun and public consultation on the Programme will commence shortly with a view to the programme commencing in 2015. The new Programme will also provide funding for island communities.