Vol. 569 No. 4
99 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his Department's progress in assisting rural development schemes; and his views on the progress to date on the area based rural development initiative, the farm relief services and the rural development fund. [217841/03]
Since taking over responsibility for rural development I have been to the forefront in devising and developing schemes, including the CLÁR programme, in areas where population has declined. I was also responsible for selection, launch and implementation of the Leader programmes in Ireland. The Deputy has identified specific areas and the following is the position in relation to those areas.
The area based rural development initiative is an EU assisted Leader type programme catering for areas of the country not covered by the EU initiative, Leader+. It also provides funding nationwide for rural tourism activities which are delivered by all Leader groups. The Initiative runs until the end of 2006 with a total of €75.7 million being made available for the duration of the programme. The allocation for 2003 is €9.47 million.
A limited number of pilot rural community development projects are being supported from the rural development fund. A provision of €5.7 million is available for the rural development fund for the period 2000-06. The allocation for 2003 is €950,000.
These projects operate through a variety of community-based initiatives. They are intended to work as a method of reducing rural deprivation in the long-term, at a low cost to the State, through creating sustainable development.
Progress on the farm relief services measure of the national development plan is satisfactory. Total investment over the lifetime of the programme, 2000-06, is €8 million of which €1.25 million has already been spent.
