Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 to 16, inclusive, together.

Cabinet committee A covers issues relating to the economy.

This includes rural issues under the action plan on rural development, covering the period 2017 to 2019.

The Department of Rural and Community Development has commenced work on the next phase of rural development policy from 2020 onwards. It will seek to strengthen rural economies and rural communities, particularly in light of the emerging issues such as Brexit, climate adaptation and new technologies. The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Michael Ring, is keen to ensure the best possible engagement with rural communities in the development of the new policy and has asked his officials to organise a series of consultation events with stakeholders in May and June.

Cabinet committee A covers issues relating to jobs, the labour market, competitiveness, productivity, the digital economy and pensions. Of particular relevance, the committee has overseen the development of Future Jobs Ireland, which was launched in March. It will oversee the implementation of this initiative.

As with all policy areas, rural issues are regularly discussed at full Government meetings, including two weeks ago. It is at these meetings that all formal decisions are made. The most recent meeting of Cabinet committee A took place on 12 November.

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