Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will answer Deputy Toíbín's question first. Most of the functions will be transferred next week. The transfer of all the rural affairs functions from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government will be done next week. The broadband provision and rural post offices functions will be done very shortly, and probably the following week, but the transfer of the rural affairs functions will definitely be done next week.

To answer Deputy Ó Cuív's question, I will not have responsibility for rural transport or school transport. We will have responsibility for the CLÁR programme. However, we will have an action plan for rural Ireland and a special Cabinet sub-committee will be set up. I will co-ordinate the responses of all the Departments with respect to rural Ireland, and there will be a new cross-Government plan to drive investment and regenerate rural Ireland in terms of the action plan for rural Ireland.

This will ensure there is ministerial oversight and rural-proofing of Government decisions. I want to see Departments discriminate positively towards rural Ireland.

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