Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is welcome that things are moving with the rural-proofing model. It will be important moving forward as many people are now moving back to rural communities. In my area, there is an increase in the population that I have not seen in my lifetime. We need to make sure everything that can be done is done in order that people moving back to rural areas, or moving into rural communities, are supported. We must back up that increase in population with the services and supports that are needed.

Key to that will be that rural-proofing mechanism. That will be considered for all policies across Government and it will be particularly important for the climate measures. That will be of concern to rural communities and we need to bring them with us. That is an important mechanism and I thank the Minister for that update.

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