Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Question 297: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to ensure sustainable rural communities across Ireland especially in view of the recent decision by An Post to close the post office in Bansha, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19767/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Government remains firm in its commitment to rural development. Strong, vibrant rural communities are essential to the well-being of the entire country. The Community Division within my Department was established to promote and support the sustainable and inclusive development of communities - both urban and rural.

It has responsibility for a range of programmes and schemes targeting community, local and rural development, designed to tackle issues such as depopulation, deprivation and social isolation. Details of all these schemes can be found on my Department's website www.environ.ie. In addition, Ireland's Rural Development Programme 2007 -2013 represents substantial investment in our rural areas and the agriculture sector. This programme includes investment of €427m, which is 55% co-funded by the EU, towards improving the quality of life in rural areas and diversifying the rural economy. This investment is being rolled out through the network of local development companies who are implementing the various measures under the programme. General post office network issues, including the closure of post offices, are a matter for the management and board of An Post.