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Action Plan for Rural Development Implementation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 January 2019

Tuesday, 15 January 2019

Ceisteanna (1007)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

1007. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the details of each local authority along the AEC that has and has not a designated AEC officer in tabular form; the amount of co-funding provided to each local authority along the AEC in each of the years 2017 to 2018 and to date in 2019; and amount expended in each local authority to date in 2019. [54280/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Programme for a Partnership Government and the Action Plan for Rural Development both commit to progressing the Atlantic Economic Corridor initiative to support the development of the western part of the country, from Donegal to Kerry.

The objective of the AEC project is to maximise the assets along the western seaboard and combine the economic hubs, clusters and catchments of the region to attract investment, support job creation and contribute to an improved quality of life for people in the region. The National Planning Framework recognises the contribution which the AEC initiative can make to supporting the regional growth objectives of the NPF.

My Department provides co-funding for a dedicated AEC Officer in each of the Local Authorities along the Corridor. This AEC Officer network provides a resource to support the work of the AEC Taskforce which oversees the initiative, and to promote the AEC concept across the region as a whole.

At the present time, the majority of Local Authorities engaged in the AEC programme have appointed a dedicated AEC Officer, with a small number providing a staff member to the AEC Officer Network on an interim basis while they are actively engaged in an ongoing recruitment processes. The position is outlined on the following table:

Local Authority

Status of AEC Officer

Clare County Council

Appointed

Donegal County Council

Appointed

Galway City Council

Interim Basis

Galway County Council

Appointed

Kerry County Council

Appointed

Leitrim County Council

Appointed

Limerick City & County Council

Appointed

Mayo County Council

Appointed

Roscommon County Council

Appointed

Sligo County Council

Interim Basis

My Department provided funding in 2018 to the relevant Local Authorities as part of a commitment to support the work of the AEC Officers. This funding is based on a salary subvention of €30,000 on a full-year basis towards the cost of employing the AEC Officer.

The AEC Officers were appointed at different stages of the year by each Local Authority and a pro-rata subvention was provided in respect of 2018, based on their respective dates of appointment.

A subvention of €30,000 was paid to each Local Authority towards the end of last year towards the salary cost of the Officers for 2019. No other funding was provided for in 2017 or to date in 2019.

The amounts paid to each Local Authority are provided on the table below:

Local Authority

2018 salary subvention

2019 salary subvention

Clare County Council

20,000

30,000

Donegal County Council

2,500

30,000

Galway City Council

15,000

30,000

Galway County Council

20,000

30,000

Kerry County Council

11,583

30,000

Leitrim County Council

20,000

30,000

Limerick City & County Council

20,000

30,000

Mayo County Council

25,000

30,000

Roscommon County Council

20,700

30,000

Sligo County Council

20,000

30,000

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