Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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7. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports available to operators of country markets to encourage and assist with ensuring the survival of the Irish country market. [31012/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My Department has recently invited all rural Local Authorities to submit applications for funding under the CEDRA Rural Innovation and Development Fund for innovative agri-food tourism projects, which advance rural and coastal economic development. Proposals for these agri-food tourism projects may also include support for local food and artisan markets.

My Department proposes to allocate a range of funding between €50,000 and €100,000 (excluding VAT) for each successful application. The Department's financial contribution will not exceed 70% of the total eligible costs of the proposal. Capital expenditure will not be eligible. Submissions from Local Authorities must be received by my Department by Monday 7^thNovember in order to be considered.

Applications will be considered on a competitive basis against the other proposals received, the award criteria, the overall objectives of the CEDRA Fund to energise the rural economy and, where possible, to align proposals with the environmental sustainability goals of my Department's strategy - Food Wise 2025.

The evaluation process will take account of the following criteria:

- Collaboration: the number of Local Authorities participating in each application.

- The focus of proposal with regard to facilitating the establishment, continuation and enhancement of agri-food tourism.

- Costings of the proposal, value for money and timetable.

- Evidence that the proposal has the support of the local community and stakeholders, and has the capacity to stimulate rural community regeneration and further generate community interaction.

In addition, other supports for local markets are provided for by Bord Bia through the provision of information, assistance and publicity via their website to local food, country and farmers markets that include:

- A list of Farmers and Country Markets

- A Guide to Food Markets in Ireland

Furthermore, recognising the need to assist small Irish food and drink start-up producers and traders in developing their market produce and brands, the support of skills and best practice for market organisers is also provided by Bord Bia. One such scheme is the voluntary Good Practice Standard for Farmers Markets that promotes good market governance and food safety and labelling compliance; whilst at the same time encouraging regular farmers markets to be held in local communities that stock a substantial proportion ideally 50% of locally derived or seasonal produce.

A new and important initiative to support Farmer and Country markets, which is starting in November, is the regional workshops designed by Bord Bia to help stall holders sell better at farmers' markets. The workshops aim to give practical solutions to challenges that all market sellers may encounter and covering key areas of the market business and an opportunity for existing and prospective producers to network and share their experiences.