Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 153: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which he proposes to address the issues of rural isolation; if it is intended to focus on groups dealing with this issue to a greater extent in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12717/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 155: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which he expects to address rural urban isolation or deprivation in the greater Dublin area in the context of the CLÁR programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12719/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 156: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which he expects to address rural and urban isolation or deprivation in the greater Dublin area in the context of the RAPID programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12720/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 160: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which he and his Department propose to address the issue of rural depopulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12726/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 153, 155, 156 and 160 together.

The Deputy will be aware that the mission of my Department is to promote and support the sustainable, inclusive development of vibrant urban and rural communities. In addition to the support provided by the CLÁR and RAPID Programmes to tackle deprivation and isolation, the National Development Plan (NDP) 2007-2013 contains a range of other programmes and schemes implemented by my Department to address these concerns in rural and urban settings.

In relation to rural matters, I would draw the attention of the Deputy to the Rural Social Scheme, the CLÁR Programme, the Rural Development Programme and schemes in support of Gaeltacht areas and Islands, in addition to evolving schemes for countryside recreation and pursuits, all operated by my Department and detailed on the website www.pobail.ie in addition to a number of new initiatives such as the night-time rural transport scheme.

A number of programmes have both an urban and rural remit to deal with a broad range of issues affecting people, be they caused by economic or social deprivation or isolation. I would draw the Deputy's attention to my Department's website where details of the Local Development Social Inclusion, the Community Development, the Community Services, and the RAPID Programmes are set out.