Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

When does the Minister believe the enterprise policy will be ready? She referred to rural proofing as a tool. It is an essential tool that has not been used to date. When does she envisage that Departments will mainstream the rural proofing approach? It has not been mainstreamed, which is why Carraroe is without a day centre. If that decision had been rural proofed and poverty proofed, it could never have happened. A similar situation applies in terms of the lack of industries, for example, seaweed and wool. Farmers are getting very little money for wool. Even though there are any number of possibilities, for example, insulation, these are not being taken up on the ground. Will the enterprise strategy consider such matters? When will it be published? When will rural proofing be mainstreamed by all Departments, as promised?

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