Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Realising our Rural Potential, the Government's Action Plan for Rural Development, was launched on Monday, 23 January in Ballymahon, County Longford. The plan is a whole-of-Government initiative and contains over 270 actions across five related pillars to be delivered by Departments, State agencies and other groups. The plan will support sustainable communities, support enterprise and employment, maximise our rural and recreation potential, foster culture and creativity, and improve rural connectivity.

The action plan does not, in itself, require legislation to be implemented.

Many of its objectives, including increasing employment in rural areas, protecting vital local services, revitalising rural towns and villages, and ensuring that all homes and businesses are connected to broadband, will be achieved through targeted programmes and policy implementation. Where legislation is required to implement any individual action, it will be a matter for the responsible Department to progress that legislation.

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