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

Senator Kieran O'Donnell mentioned elderly people in isolated rural areas who want to move into towns and villages. I fully agree with what he said. The attitude is changing and people want to move into towns where the can access services. As the House is aware, I am examining a pilot scheme in the latter half of this year to encourage people to move back into town centres. Senator Mulherin has been promoting such an initiative and has highlighted it at every opportunity. If people live in towns it re-energises the town and business will follow. I will also work with the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Coveney, because he has initiatives such as change of use for planning. He is working with local authorities on the social housing area. I will take up the matter with him that Senator Kieran O'Donnell raised.

I agree with Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell that it is imperative to put the arts and culture at the centre of Irish life. That is what Creative Ireland, the plan I launched before Christmas, will do. It is about putting creativity and culture at the centre of communities right across this country, enabling the creative potential of every child and investing in creative and cultural infrastructure. Ireland is a centre of excellence in media production. Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell is correct that we must unify our global reputation and showcase Ireland as a country that values arts and culture. In terms of tourism also we must reach out to the diaspora. Arts and culture are the glue that holds society together.

I agree with Senator Hopkins that the creative sector also has huge potential in rural areas. The rural economic developments zones, REDZ, programme that was announced late last year supported a number of exciting projects. Senator Joe O'Reilly was very pleased with a project in Bailieborough that got support from the programme. It involved local communities working with local authorities and coming up with solutions. Some speakers outlined towns that need support. Those towns that need support must mobilise and put in their applications because I cannot deliver if the applications do not come in. Communities and businesses must work together in a ground-up approach.

There are five priorities in the plan, namely, supporting communities, creating jobs, increasing tourism, supporting and encouraging culture and creativity and improving connectivity. There are 275 actions. Some said that is too many but as far as I am concerned that is not the case. It is an ambitious project and rural Ireland deserves ambition. Why not be ambitious?