David Stanton
Ceist:16 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the supports available for rural communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28577/03]
Written Answers. - Community Development.
My Department is committed to maintaining the maximum number of people in rural areas and to strengthening rural communities economically, socially and culturally. Government policy on rural development is set out in the White Paper published in 1999. The policy agenda is a broad one, involving the remit of many of my colleagues in Government and their related agencies. It covers such issues as agriculture, infrastructure, transport, environment, health and education and the challenge is to ensure coherence in pursuing our rural development objectives. This policy area is kept under active review particularly in the light of ongoing economic and social changes and in the context of a changing EU perspective for the support of rural development.
In the case of my Department, there is a wide range of programmes and supports for rural communities, details of which are set out in the following appendix.
APPENDIX
Leader+ and Leader National Rural Development ProgrammeIn the case of my Department, the Leader+ programme is an EU initiative designed to encourage the implementation of integrated, high-quality and innovative strategies in rural communities. The initiative is delivered by 22 local action groups. The allocation for Leader+ for the period 2000 to 2006 is €73.6 million and the initiative is co-funded by the EU. The Leader national rural development programme closely complements the Leader+ initiative. It is operated by 13 local groups in areas of the country not covered by Leader+. It also provides nationwide coverage for rural and agricultural tourism and focuses more on mainstream activities. Again, an element of innovation is required for all activities funded. The allocation for 2000 to 2006 is €75.7 million, again co-funded by the EU.
PEACE, INTERREG and Farm Relief ServicesMy Department's responsibilities also include the rural development aspects of the joint cross-Border programmes PEACE and INTERREG as well as the farm relief services measure of the national development plan. The rural measures under these programmes aim to foster the economic and social development of rural communities. Projects supported by the programmes are community based, and also include activities related to on farm diversification.
Total funding of €7.351 million is being provided under the rural development measures of the PEACE II programme during the period 2000-2004. Support is available for cross border community development and the development of agri-diversification projects.
Under the INTERREG Ireland-Northern Ireland rural initiative measure support is available to rural businesses and communities to engage in developing the economic and social sustainability of the region and to promote the development and expansion of cross-Border businesses through integrated local area based projects with a strategic focus in geographically defined areas of rural disadvantage. Total funding of €18 million is being provided for the period 2000-2006.
Total funding of €10 million is being provided under the rural initiative measure of the joint INTERREG Ireland/Wales programme for the period 2000-2006. Under the programme support is being provided in the eligible area for joint projects promoting rural business skills, rural tourism, rural health and on and off farm diversification to complement agricultural activities.
In addition my Department provides funding to the farm relief services of €8 million under the two regional operation programmes of the national development plan 2000-2006. The funding is provided largely for training with element of infrastructure and research and development.
Local Development Social Inclusion ProgrammeThe local development social inclusion programme provides funding to 38 partnership companies, 33 community groups and four employment pacts to deliver the programme at local level. Rural communities would be among the beneficiaries of this programme.
Other Community ProgrammesMy Department supports local self-help and community development initiatives targeted at disadvantaged communities in both rural and urban areas nationwide, in recognition of the role that voluntary groups have in facilitating local communities to address the problems facing them. This support is made available through a range of grant schemes.
Applications for the scheme of grants for locally based community and voluntary organisations and scheme of community support to older people for his year are currently being assessed and successful applicant groups will be notified over the next few weeks.
On an ongoing basis, my Department also supports some 170 locally based projects nationwide, which are involved in anti-poverty and social inclusion initiatives in both rural and urban communities. This support is provided by way of core-funding through the community development support programmes with the funding targeted specifically at disadvantaged communities. I intend to continue supporting these schemes in 2004.
In September, I announced funding of some €7.4 million over the coming three years for community and voluntary organisations under the scheme of grants for training and supports in the community and voluntary sector and under the funding scheme to support the role of federations, networks and umbrella bodies in the community and voluntary sector.
These schemes will provide funding to 58 community groups from all regions of the country. My officials are currently in contact with all the successful applicants and funding will be made available to individual groups as soon as contracts have been agreed with the groups concerned.
CLÁRI introduced the CLÁR programme in October 2001 to address depopulation as well as the decline and lack of services in rural areas. Areas in 18 counties have been selected under this programme including areas I announced last January in honouring the commitment in the agreed programme for Government to review the areas in light of the 2002 population census results. These areas suffered the greatest population decline from 1926 to 2002 with an average population loss of 50%. The exception is the Cooley Peninsula, which was included on the basis of the serious difficulties caused there by foot and mouth disease. The measures introduced under the programme reflect the priorities identified by the communities in the selected areas that I consulted at the outset. These measures support physical, community and social infrastructure through a variety of measures such as electricity conversion, roads, water and sewerage, village enhancement, health and sports projects. They are, for the most part, operated in tandem with the lead Departments or public utilities, as appropriate, thus ensuring efficiency and effectiveness as well as meeting the needs of the people in the CLÁR areas.
Rural Development FundI am interested in assessing the effects of placing development workers in rural communities as a method of expediting rural development and reducing poverty. For this purpose, I announced funding in May 2002 for four pilot schemes which are aimed at testing the success of development workers in regenerating particularly disadvantaged rural areas. These projects are operating through a variety of community-based initiatives. They are intended to help reduce rural deprivation in the long-term at a low cost to the State by creating sustainable development. The initiative is being supported from the rural development fund of my Department. The purpose of the fund is to finance research, evaluation and pilot actions to provide information and advice for policy makers on important rural development issues.
Review of Rural Enterprise SupportI recently announced that Fitzpatrick Associates, economic consultants, have been appointed to carry out a review of enterprise support in rural areas. This review will analyse official enterprise support, including tourism enterprise, already available in rural areas. The way in which existing supports are delivered will be examined with particular regard to EU state aid law, the national spatial strategy and Exchequer financial constraints. The number and roles of agencies needed will be reviewed to optimise enterprise development in rural areas and yet avoid unnecessary duplication.
Western Development CommissionIn addition, my Department funds the Western Development Commission, whose functions include promoting, fostering and encouraging economic and social development in the western region and the operation of the western investment fund. Activities include policy analysis and development which feed in turn into policy development and planning in my Department. At my request, the commission is developing a strategy for towns on radial routes in its region to maximise the benefits of the national spatial strategy, major roads investment, the strategic rail review and decentralisation.
Gaeltacht SchemesUnder the Gaeltacht improvement schemes grants are payable for the improvement of Gaeltacht roads, non-national, accommodation and bog roads, and village renewal; provision of water and sewage schemes; the development of strategic and small piers and harbours in Gaeltacht areas; the provision and improvement of facilities, such as community centres, sports fields and other leisure facilities; Gaeltacht housing; and social and cultural activities in the Gaeltacht which are central to the maintenance of the Irish language as the chosen language of the region.
By improving the infrastructure, these grants are aimed at adding to the social, cultural and economic life of the Gaeltacht areas, as well as strengthening the Irish language as the community language within such areas.
Údarás na Gaeltachta discharges its responsibilities through a range of socio-economic activities in the Gaeltacht, received a total of €42.9 million from my Department last year to allow it to continue with the development of the Gaeltacht economy and the preservation of the Irish language. In terms of advancing rural development generally both at EU and national level, my Department is availing of a range of opportunities through EU conferences, the rural development forum, etc., to advance the policy options necessary to meet changing rural agenda.
IslandsMy Department implements comprehensive Island development policies. A sum of €10,000 is provided in next years estimates for this purpose.