Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

From Deputy Tóibín's response, it seems he has no solutions and is just concerned with having a talking shop. The answers the Minister is providing are revitalising towns, making them more vibrant and building community spirit. The conversion of existing structures back into use is a welcome initiative and the evidence of it certainly can be seen on the ground. We have more people now living and working in rural Ireland than ever before. That is helping to create the more sustainable regional balance we require whereby people are able to live, raise a family and grow old in their communities. We have established connected working hubs, economic centres and community facilities right across rural communities. The synergy between initiatives and policies like remote working and economic hubs is commendable and really important. Investment in these schemes certainly is money well spent.

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