Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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201. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to address the issues of concern in respect of communities in urban or rural settings who might feel neglected or isolated; the provisions she expects to be able to put in place to address their concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31405/16]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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202. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she and her department have identified the primary issues of concern amongst community groups in rural or urban settings whose quality of life has been diminished for one reason or another such as rural isolation and urban or rural anti-social behaviour; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31406/16]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 201 and 201 together.

I acknowledge that social isolation can be a very real problem in both urban and rural communities. That is why the Government is committed to building a strong economy and delivering a fair society so that communities can thrive throughout both urban and rural Ireland.

The Programme for a Partnership Governmentcontains a suite of commitments for delivery across Government relating to the protection of rural communities and services in rural Ireland in particular.The commitments include the provision and enhancement of services in areas such as education, health, rural transport, policing and community support.These measures fall under the remit of a number of Government Departments and agencies.

My Department is currently working on the development of an Action Plan for Rural Development that will act as an overarching structure for the co-ordination and implementation of initiatives across Government which will benefit rural Ireland.The implementation of these initiatives will contribute significantly to the protection and enhancement of local services and social inclusion in rural areas. My Department has recently conducted an extensive consultation process around the country to seek the views of people in rural Ireland on potential measures for inclusion in the Action Plan for Rural Development. My objective is to publish the Action Plan before the end of the year.

My Department is also working directly on proposals for the renewal of the post office network, including through the Post Office Hub Working Group, which is chaired by Minister of State Michael Ring. This Group is identifying potential models under which the post offices could act as hubs for economic and social activity in the community, especially in rural areas.