The LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme for Ireland 2007-2013 represents my Department's response to the commitment in the Programme for Government in relation to rural enterprise development. The Deputy will be aware that I launched the LEADER elements (Axes 3 & 4) of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 on 20th May 2008. The funding available for the delivery of LEADER-type activities under this Rural Development Programme will amount to €425.4 million — almost treble the €150 million available for the 2000-06 period. The new Programme will complement the other funding for rural development measures by my Department.
The overall aim of the Rural Development Programme is to improve the quality of life in rural areas and promote the diversification of the rural economy. Under the Support for Business Creation and Development measure, €48.26m will be available over the life of Programme for a range of rural enterprise activity based on the exploitation of traditional rural resources. The aim of this measure is to position rural areas so that they can provide economic activity of sufficient mass to attract people to live and work in rural areas.
It is expected that approximately 10,000 new or existing micro-enterprises will be supported with the potential to create 12,600 fulltime equivalent jobs over the lifetime of the Programme.
I expect the Programme to be open to applications for grant assistance in late October 2008 when the process for selecting Local Action Groups to deliver the Programme has been completed.