Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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782. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the measures and funding schemes in place to improve, via digital means, the footfall for business in many rural towns and villages, such as those in counties Sligo and Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14265/15]

Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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The Leader element of the Rural Development Programme 2014–2020, will provide €250 million in financial resources to support the development of sustainable rural communities. Leader is delivered using a community led local development approach through the medium of Local Development Strategies by Local Action Groups. My Department is currently conducting an open and transparent selection process for Leader Local Development Strategies and the closing date for expressions of interest is 15 May 2015. Details can be found on my Department’s website at .

Entities successful in the first stage of the process will be invited and supported in stage two of the process, which is the design of a Local Development Strategy for their area. I expect that some Local Development Strategies will be operational and funding available by Autumn 2015.

In principle funding for digital marketing strategies for rural business is eligible under the Leader elements of the RDP. However, decision making with regard to projects funded by Leader will be a matter for the Local Action Groups that are successful in the strategy selection process described above. Any such initiatives would have to be identified as a priority in the Local Development Strategy of a given sub-regional area.

In this context, I would encourage anyone who has ideas with regard to potential digital marketing initiatives to engage with the Local Development Strategy design process in their area.