Mr. William Parnell:

I thank Senator Kelleher for her questions. As I said in my opening remarks, it is important to consider social fabric. Within the action plan there is a series of actions in the health care sector, including, for example, to increase the number of GPs in rural areas by 2019. The Connecting for Life programme provides support for local strategies across rural Ireland, the aim of which is to address suicide and mental well-being. The Senator commented on the ageing population. There are actions in the plan around the delivery of new primary care centres and community intervention teams in rural Ireland. Action 31 of the plan deals with enhancing supports for older people in rural areas through a network of day care centres. The seniors helpline is another action of the plan. These actions are all for delivery by the HSE or the Department of Health but they are part of the process. We are conscious of the need to address issues such as mental health and also health care, including for older people. The Action Plan for Rural Development is available online, in respect of which we can provide the link to the Senator. We can also provide copies of the plan through the committee clerk, which might be helpful to the Senator. Actions 24 to 32 relate to the health care sector.

On the question of housing and the town and village renewal scheme, Ms Moylette is responsible for the management of that scheme and so I will ask her to comment on it.