Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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65. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of an action plan for rural development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37154/16]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Supporting the economic and social development of rural Ireland is a key priority of the Government, and actions to support this objective will be delivered by a number of Departments and agencies. The Action Plan for Rural Development will act as an overarching structure for the co-ordination and implementation of initiatives right across Government which will benefit rural Ireland.  The objective is to bring a joined-up approach to the implementation of economic and social policies that impact on rural communities.

The Action Plan is currently being finalised and I intend to publish it in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, I have already introduced a number of practical measures to support rural communities, including through the roll out of initiatives such as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the expansion of the REDZ initiative, and the reintroduction of the CLÁR Programme. My Department is also working directly on proposals for the renewal of the post office network, as well as measures to facilitate the roll out of high speed broadband in rural areas once Government contracts are awarded next year under the National Broadband Plan.