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

As I said, the development of a rural-proofing model is a key commitment in Our Rural Future, and work is progressing well on it in conjunction with other Departments. I do not want it to be a box-ticking exercise. We want other Departments to engage meaningfully, so it is important we get it right. We do hold other Departments to account through Our Rural Future. We have a work programme and actions for every year. I meet with the relevant Ministers in those Departments to make sure I hold them to account on their delivery for rural Ireland.

When I was appointed a Minister of this Government, I made a decision that the Department of Rural and Community Development would be kept as a stand-alone Department. It is very important that it has not been amalgamated with any other Department. We have benefited from that through the investment we have got for rural Ireland. The fact it is stand-alone Department is also a strong signal, from the Government and me, that we are committed to rural development.

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