Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an bhfreagra sin. I am glad that the OECD report is to be published. I think that will provide food for thought for everybody living and working in rural Ireland. From my conversations with people in rural Ireland and my own experience, I imagine the biggest result and theme that will emerge from the consultations, which will no doubt be reflected in the OECD report, will be the issue of housing, particularly in rural Ireland. One of the key deliverables is the regeneration and repopulation of rural Ireland and another is the aim to actively involve young people in rural development and rejuvenating rural Ireland, but that cannot happen when people cannot live in rural Ireland.

In communities all across this State, young people are leaving rural Ireland in their droves. They are leaving because there are not homes for them to live in.

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