Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2009
393 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of premises that were purchased either in part or in full using Exchequer finances during the course of the LEADER Programme 2001 to 2006; the expenditure paid out by the Exchequer in acquiring and maintaining premises during the course of that programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4172/09]
View answer394 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if premises purchased using Exchequer funds under the LEADER Programme 2001 to 2006 will not be used for the LEADER Programme 2007 to 2013; if so, the number of premises involved and their location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4173/09]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 393 and 394 together.
The rules of the LEADER programmes 2000-2006 did not allow for the use of Exchequer or EU funds for the purchase of premises.
I should point out to the Deputy that the LEADER "bottom-up approach" to rural development involves the delivery by local groups of rural development measures. However, my Department did not establish these Groups. These Groups would have been selected as part of a general call for proposals to deliver the LEADER Programmes.
I understand that these companies may also have had access to private and other sources of public funding. In the context of the changes now underway arising from the Cohesion process, my Department is in contact with the companies concerned to ensure protection of the state's interest in any assets which were acquired or developed with the assistance of state support.
395 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if groups formed under the LEADER Programme 2001 to 2006 continued to receive funding from his Department in respect of rent and administration in the interim period between the conclusion of the programme and the commencement of the LEADER Programme 2007 to 2013; if so, the amount expended in such a way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4174/09]
View answerIn 2007 and 2008 LEADER Groups continued work on the implementation and closure of the LEADER+ and Area-Based Rural Development Initiatives. Accordingly, revised administration funding arrangements were put in place to ensure that Groups, who had exhausted their original Programme administration allocation, continued to be in a position to carry out this work. Project activity under the Programmes ended for the majority of Groups in March 2008, at which stage the significant work required to close the Programmes commenced.
The funding provided did not meet the full administration costs of the Groups, but was a contribution to their core costs. The total amount provided under the revised arrangements amounted to approx. to €17.7m, covering the period from January 2007 until the commencement of the new Rural Development Programme in 2009.
396 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of businesses which were set up and received funding during the LEADER Programme 2001 to 2006; the number of these businesses which are still in operation and intend to continue operating outside of the LEADER programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4175/09]
View answerI have been informed that the number of enterprises assisted to end 2007 under the LEADER Programmes 2000-2006 is approx. 5,120. I am not in a position to inform the Deputy, however, how many of these enterprises are still in operation or how many are likely to continue in operation in the coming years. The LEADER Programmes do not provide ongoing financial support to these enterprises, rather support is generally granted towards the capital costs associated with the start-up or expansion of such enterprises. The Deputy will be aware, however, that under Rural Development Programme Ireland 2007-2013 funding of €48m will be available under the Business Creation and Development measure of the Programme.
35 Local Action Groups and 3 collective bodies were selected, on the basis of a competitive process, to deliver the LEADER Programmes 2000-2006.
For the delivery of Axis 3 & 4 of the Rural Development Programme 2007–2013, using the LEADER approach, 36 Local Action Groups have been selected. Twelve of these are integrated LEADER/Partnership companies which operated under previous LEADER Programmes, while the others are newly integrated companies.
397 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if there is funding available from Pobal to fund managers of community centres in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4178/09]
View answerOne of the three categories of projects funded under the Community Services Programme (CSP) operated by my Department provides a funding contribution to the delivery of services from community centres. In general, a contribution to the cost of managers is not made unless a compelling case has been advanced. The last call for proposals under the Community Halls and Facilities Strand of the Programme was made in mid-2008 and I have already announced decisions in relation to this strand. Some of these are outstanding. Given the current economic circumstances, I have previously stated that it is unlikely that a call for new proposals will be possible for the foreseeable future.
At the end of 2008 some 423 projects have been approved for funding at a cost of some €48.5m. Projects fall within three broad categories, namely, the operation of community halls and facilities; the delivery of services not otherwise provided locally, and support for community enterprise opportunities. The number of people that will be employed by these projects is estimated to reach 2,600 by the end of 2009. Further proposals under the 2008 Calls are being examined and I hope to receive recommendations over the next few weeks.
