Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. Our Rural Future is the most ambitious and transformational policy for rural development in Ireland for decades. The policy contains more than 150 measures for delivery across the whole of Government, with the underlying theme of economic, environmental and societal sustainability.

The policy has a vision of ensuring vibrant and thriving rural towns and villages, with a key objective to maximise opportunities for individuals, communities and businesses in rural areas. It recognises that rural areas play an integral role in the economic, social and cultural recovery and well-being of the country.

The policy commits to developing an effective rural-proofing model. This will aim to ensure that all Departments fully consider the effects of new proposals on rural communities and the need to better target the particular challenges and opportunities facing rural areas.

Following a competitive tender process, my Department engaged independent consultants to fully examine the issue of rural-proofing in Ireland in order to provide a strong evidence basis for further action. Their work included consideration of rural-proofing initiatives internationally so as to inform our approach based on the experiences of others. The consultants have now provided my Department with their final report which will be given full and detailed consideration to determine the next steps. My objective is to deliver an effective, efficient and implementable rural-proofing model that will support rural policy development and ensure that we capitalise on the opportunities for rural areas to the greatest extent possible.

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