Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 4 Mar 1992

Vol. 416 No. 7

Written Answers. - Rural Development Programme.

John Connor

Question:

43 Mr. Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline the Government's policy on the EC funded rural development programme including the Leader programme with specific reference to clear objectives on long term support to rural communities involved in integrated development programmes in their regions and the long term response of the Government and his Department to individuals using the programme; and if he will also outline the Government's long term strategy to ensure that rural development involves policies that integrate the issues of population decline, the creation of work, the protection of the environment and training and education.

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The EC co-financed operational programme for rural development contains a wide range of measures aimed at stimulating rural development. These include farm diversification, such as sport horses and deer, horticulture, agri-tourism and forestry, farm relief services, small and community enterprises, research and development and marketing in the food industry and training in agriculture, forestry and fisheries. Some £104 million of national and EC funding is available for this programme.

The Leader programme is the EC's own initiative on rural development. As already announced, 16 Irish groups are to receive national and EC aid totalling £35 million in support of their business plans.

In addition, the new national structure for promoting rural developments is now being established.

These initiatives represent the Government's current programme for integrated rural development including responses to all of the issues, such as population decline, mentioned by the Deputy. They will operate to the end of 1993 and, depending on evaluation of their impact at that stage, long term policy on rural development will be determined.