Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Feb 1998

Vol. 487 No. 3

Written Answers. - Rural Communities.

Enda Kenny

Question:

137 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the measures and initiatives, if any, he is taking to stabilise rural communities; the impact of these initiatives in the 12 western counties; the targets and objectives, if any, he has laid down in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3985/98]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

My Department implements a wide range of programmes which include direct payments for farmers, aids for on-farm investment, structual improvement and environmental protection as well as the Leader programme and the pilot programme on the provision of integrated public services in rural areas, designed to support rural communities.

The Leader programme which operates throughout rural areas in the 12 western counties provides an opportunity for local groups and communities to involve themselves directly in the development of their own areas. In particular my Department requires each of the approved groups to implement a local programme of animanation and capacity building to facilitate and support community activity as well as grant aiding local projects. Indicative allocations totalling almost £44 million has been approved for groups operating wholly or partly in the 12 western counties in the period to the end of 1999.

The pilot programme for the provision of integrated public services was established with the objective of testing community based models of public service delivery in rural areas of low and dispersed populations. The involvement of local communities in the delivery of public services has an important part to play in the revitalisation and renewal of rural communities and the experience gained from the pilot programme will make a valuable and practical contribution to policy formulation in the future. Six of the seven pilot initiatives are based in western counties.

My Department also now has responsibility for the Western Development Commission which has been established to promote economic and social development in seven of the western counties, Connaught and Counties Clare and Donegal in the interests of the people in the region.

Arrangements are being made to establish the Commission on a statutory basis and to provide for a western investment fund to assist investment and enterprise in the region.

Rural development forms an important element of the European Commission's Agenda 2000 proposals and I will be seeking to ensure that a coherent and integrated rural development policy forms part of the reform of the CAP and the next "round" of Structural Funds. I announced recently details on the preparation of a White Paper on Rural Development which will address the challenge of supporting rural communities throughout the country in the future.