AQW 42923/11-15

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 26/02/2015
Answered On Date: 11/03/2015
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, pursuant to AQW 42397/11-15, what support, financial and other, her Department offers to Business Action Plans emerging from the Rural Youth Entrepreneurship Programme, to ensure that they are viable long-term initiatives.

Answer:

The Rural Youth Entrepreneurship (RYE) programme operates a referral network for participants, who have completed their Business Action Plan and who wish to develop their business idea further.

RYE has referred those with completed Business Action Plans to local enterprise agencies and support organisations as relevant to the business idea. In terms of DARD support, individuals can be referred to DARD’s College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) or Local Action Groups who will deliver the Rural Business Investment measure of the new Rural Development programme.