Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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606. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the capital assistance schemes available, as administered by his Department, for local community groups to develop community-based facilities for meetings, training, and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24952/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, 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. Funding for community based facilities such as the one referred to in the Question may be eligible under the Leader elements of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. The selection process for Local Action Groups to deliver the Programme has commenced and will be finalised in the coming months.In line with the community led approach of Leader, the Local Action Groups are the final decision makers in relation to projects for each local area. In order for a project to be eligible, it must be consistent with the needs that are identified in the relevant areas Local Development Strategy. These Local Development Strategies will be developed by the Local Action Groups from August onwards and will involve public consultation. I envisage that Leader funding will become available in some rural communities in late autumn.