Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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533. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if the new round of Leader funding will allow for the provision of funding to applicants aiming to provide additional tourist accommodation in locations with a clear shortage of bed capacity for the overall development of the tourism industry in that location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39278/15]

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. Under the new programme, funding will continue to be distributed by Local Action Groups to rural communities in line with the local development strategies that are currently being developed within each sub-regional area in Ireland.

In preparing local development strategies, Local Action Groups have been requested to focus on economic development, enterprise development and job creation and there is potential to fund rural tourism projects and tourist accommodation projects such as those referred to by the Deputy. Of course, the ultimate decision as to the projects funded under the new programme will be made by individual Local Action Groups, consistent with the local development strategy developed for their area.