Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

That is very welcome. I thank the Minister of State. I assure him that we in Carlow and Kilkenny will access this funding. It is important when we speak about real ambition and investment that we have proper infrastructure in place. The Minister of State indicated that when we are creating jobs and new businesses, we have to have proper roads and that Irish Water must provide water supplies and wastewater services. That needs to be looked at too.

I wish to ask the Minister of State about another matter. Under the rural development policy for 2021 to 2025, there are 152 policy measures contained in the framework plan, including one for promoting remote working hubs. The measures to support the development of social enterprise in rural areas are serious supports in terms of enterprise and jobs. Carlow County Council has worked with key stakeholders to identify further investment opportunities in order to enhance the hub offering in the county, with opportunities to enhance services that can be utilised. This process has identified three key locations of geographic importance to business communities and there is considerable demand. The way forward is sustainability in rural Ireland. What supports can we offer to support this? I will keep promoting Carlow, and I will definitely be in contact with the Minister of State about this funding.

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