39 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has formally requested permission from the European Union to channel Leader funds through county enterprise boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46087/10]

The main objectives of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) are to improve the quality of life in rural areas and facilitate the diversification of the rural economy, and the individual measures under the Programme, including indicative allocations, are as follows:

Diversification into non-agricultural activities for farm families — €16.66m;

Support for business creation and development — €48.26m;

Encouragement of tourism activities — €45.4m;

Basic services for the economy and rural population — €49.61m;

Village renewal and development — €54.2m;

Conservation and upgrading of the rural heritage — €51.7m;

Training and information on adapted and new skills — €29.45m; and

Implementing co-operation projects — €10.7m.

I am pleased with the progress to date under the RDP, which continues to facilitate access to significant financial resources for rural communities since it started in 2009. This has resulted in the proliferation of innovative and sustainable development projects all over the country, which are providing invaluable support to rural communities in these difficult times and there is no question of funds being diverted away from the RDP. The Deputy will appreciate, therefore, that the issue of requesting permission from the EU to channel funds through County Enterprise Boards does not arise.

The RDP currently has registered project activity of €80m, with almost €30m at an advanced stage of development. Expenditure to date amounts to over €50m, which includes funding for a diverse range of projects from support for micro-enterprise in rural areas to the build and maintenance of community infrastructure and the provision of training in a variety of disciplines for rural dwellers. I am confident that the activity funded under the RDP to date is contributing to the creation of the right conditions for the generation of sustainable, long-term job opportunities in rural areas.

I can assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to work with all relevant Departments, agencies and rural communities, through their Local Action Groups, to maximise all possible funding opportunities under the RDP.