Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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241. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if the findings of the report of the Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas have been costed; if he will consider selecting an area (details supplied) in County Kerry to pilot the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12430/15]

Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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Rural Economic Development Zones (REDZ) are defined as functional rather than administrative geographic areas that reflect the spatial patterns of local economic activities and development processes, i.e. they are the sub-county zones within which most people live and work. Research surrounding this element of the CEDRA report identified potential REDZ in all areas of Ireland and recommended the implementation of a pilot initiative that supports the formulation of a localised strategic approach to the development of REDZ. The recommendation envisages full participation by communities at a local level in order to foster a sense of ownership of the REDZ development process.

My Department is currently working on the development of a set of criteria to support the delivery of this pilot initiative which I expect to be launching in the coming weeks. Participation in the REDZ pilot initiative will be open to all REDZ areas outlined in the CEDRA report (the report can be found at), with a number chosen in the context of the criteria which will be published in due course.