Written Answers. - National Rural Development Forum.
Gerry Reynolds
Question:
186
Mr. G. Reynolds
asked the
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
the progress the national rural development forum has made to date as promised in the White Paper on rural development, "Ensuring the Future"; the major issue the forum identified facing rural Ireland; and his views on whether the forum which has a wide membership including Departments, State agencies, regional assemblies and authorities, local authorities, the social partners and the wider voluntary community sector, will provide solutions to current rural economic decline.
[8011/02]
Gerry Reynolds
Question:
196
Mr. G. Reynolds
asked the
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
his views on the rapidly declining population in rural areas and the fact that within four years the CAP will be virtually dismantled; if his Department has considered the inclusion of other data in the census in order to obtain a more detailed profile of life in rural areas and to better inform policy making; and the new initiatives he has in this regard.
[8211/02]
Gerry Reynolds
Question:
200
Mr. G. Reynolds
asked the
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
the cost of the national rural development forum to date.
[8237/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 186, 196 and 200 together.
The national rural development forum was established following the publication of the White Paper on rural development in August 1999. The purpose of this forum is to debate current issues, review existing programmes to determine their impact and identify suitable policy responses to rural problems. As the Deputy acknowledges the forum is representative of a broad range of interests. It has a wide membership including Departments, State agencies, the regional assemblies and authorities, local authorities, the social partners, local development bodies and the wider voluntary and community sector. The forum meets on a bi-annual basis.
The forum has met on three occasions to date: in Nenagh in May 2000, in Ballinlough in December 2000 and in Maam Cross in November 2001. The topics discussed at the meetings included the national spatial strategy, rural tourism, rural transport, rural proofing, banking and the rural population, rural post offices, the role of county development boards, the CLÁR Programme and planning issues in rural areas. A detailed progress report on the implementation of the White Paper is also presented at meetings of the forum.
The direct costs associated with the organisation of these three meetings of the forum came to €9,727.93, £7,661.37.
The White Paper on rural development set out a clear vision and framework for the development of rural communities and marked a new approach and commitment by Government to rural development. One of its chief concerns is to diversify economically and to provide additional income and job creation opportunities in rural areas while cherishing the distinct features and culture of the countryside.
The national development plan is the vehicle for realising the aspirations of the White Paper. There is a specific chapter on rural development with a commitment to public investment of over €8.5 billion over the period 2000-2006 in actions which directly impact on rural areas. These include REPS, ERS, headage and forestry, rural infrastructure, rural enterprises, capital investment, marketing, research development and training in agriculture related areas. Other measures in the NDP, for example relating to employment, infrastructure and social services also have direct impact on rural areas.
The overall rural population has been relatively stable at around 1.5 million for some time and has shown an increase in the most recent intercensal period, 1991-96. On the basis of the 1996 census data, some 42% of the population live in small villages and in open countryside. However, if one excludes County Dublin, 58% of the national population live in rural areas. Rural Ireland is no longer the preserve of farmers. Nowadays the majority of rural dwellers are not farmers.
While the Common Agricultural Policy faces a number of challenges, I do not accept the suggestion that it will be virtually dismantled within four years, nor, I believe, is there evidence to support such a claim.
The Commission will be bringing forward proposals for the mid-term review of the agenda 2000 agreement later this year. In addition to the specific reviews which are provided for, the Commission may take the opportunity to present more general proposals. A number of member states are also seeking further reform of the CAP. However, no member state is calling for it to be dismantled. The Commission has recently published proposals for the accession negotiations with the EU applicant countries which are based explicitly on the application of the CAP, as it stands, to the new member states. Negotiations on the next WTO agreement are also under way and are scheduled to conclude by 2005. The negotiating mandate for the EU is based on the agenda 2000 agreement as decided by the European Council and stresses "that safeguarding the future of the European model of agriculture, as an economic sector as a basis for sustainable development is of fundamental importance". The mandate provides a satisfactory framework for protecting the interests of European and Irish agriculture and food sectors.
CAP reform is an ongoing process and further adjustments will be required from time to time. However, my objective in any negotiations will be to ensure that, as far as possible, the benefits of the agenda 2000 agreement are maintained and that any re-orientation of the CAP is suitable to the requirements of Irish agriculture.
The CLÁR Programme, Ceantair Laga Ard-Riachtanais, i.e. programme for revitalising rural areas, was launched in October 2001 and reflects the commitment in the programme for prosperity and fairness for a targeted programme of invest ment in rural disadvantaged areas. The objective of the programme is to stem the social and economic costs of social exclusion. The 16 areas selected for the programme are those which have suffered the greatest population decline since 1926 with the exception of the Cooley peninsula, which has been included based on the serious difficulties caused by foot and mouth disease. The average population loss in all these areas is 51% and the total population that will benefit from the programme is 284,000.
CLÁR will fast-track national development plan expenditure for state services and facilities in the selected areas and so enhance the quality of life of the people there. An extra, dedicated budget of €25.4 million has been allocated to ensure the success of the programme in 2002 and 2003.
From October to December last year, the Minister of State, Deputy Ó Cuív held 18 public meetings in the CLÁR areas to explain this initiative. These meetings were very well attended and there was great enthusiasm for the programme. At these meetings the Minister of State was given details of the priorities of the communities involved and these are being woven into the implementation of CLÁR. Priority investments, as identified by the communities, cover infrastructure, social and community services. The programme is being implemented by my Department with the communities in the selected areas through the aegis of the county development boards.
During the same period, Deputy Ó Cuív had a plenary session of the inter-departmental committee on rural development involving the relevant Departments and since then has had bilateral meetings with these Departments and their agencies, as appropriate, to agree the elements of the programme.
The priorities identified in the selected areas based are being adhered to on three modules: (1) local authority – roads, water, sewerage, village renewal, coastal erosion and piers; (2) industry, enterprise and tourism; and (3) health, education and community.
Deputy Ó Cuív has agreed funding packages with the Department of the Environment and Local Government on roads and water. He expects to finalise a programme on village or town renewal and other environmental works shortly. He has had discussions with the local authorities and the Leader companies on this and hopes to be able to make an announcement soon on the details.
The Minister is in discussions with the relevant Departments and State agencies on the elements of modules 2 and 3 and will make announcements on these shortly.
I agree the provision of adequate data is essential for better policy making. To that end my Department has commissioned a study by the ESRI which will look at income distribution, poverty, deprivation and viability in a study of both farm and non-farm households. It will compare and contrast the economic viability of farm households with non-farm rural households and urban households.
