Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That applies to rural Ireland as well. We have set out the policy in respect of increasing the number of teachers. The advantages for small towns and villages throughout the rural Ireland are dealt with under different incentive schemes arising from the CEDRA report, which was published a number of years ago and which has now evolved into this. The plan draws together many of the schemes that are there already but it is an important document in the context of having a strategy that can be both planned against and monitored to see that it is being implemented.

Another element in the plan is the creative Ireland report, which was so strongly evidenced during the 1916 centenary commemorative events. It is an important decision to have art as part of public policy. Deputy Micheál Martin supports the focus not only on science, technology, engineering or mathematics but also on the artistic, imaginative and creative opportunity to which the people have given so much expression.

The horse racing sector is a fundamentally important part that is referred to specifically in the agriculture portfolio as part of the Minister's brief.

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