Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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430. 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 among 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. [4590/17]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Realising our Rural Potential, the Government's Action Plan for Rural Development, was launched on Monday 23 January in Ballymahon, Co. Longford. The Plan contains over 270 actions to be implemented by a range of Government Departments, agencies and other bodies to progress the economic and social development of rural Ireland. In preparing the Action Plan, my Department conducted an extensive consultation process around the country to seek the views of people in rural Ireland on the issues of concern to them. The Plan includes a range of measure which will contribute significantly to the enhancement of local services and addressing social inclusion in rural areas.  Specific examples of actions which will help those who feel isolated or vulnerable in rural areas include:

- The introduction of a new Community CCTV Grant Aid Scheme.

- Significant investment in the Seniors Alert Scheme, which facilitates valuable community based support for vulnerable older people living alone.

- Investment of €46 million in Garda fleet to ensure that Gardai are mobile, visible and responsive to prevent and tackle crime.

- Provision of support for local strategies across rural Ireland to address suicide and improve mental wellbeing.

- Maintaining the network of senior helplines in operation throughout the country, which offer a listening service for older people to help address issues such as loneliness and isolation in rural areas.

- Support for 450 Men’s Sheds across rural Ireland which provide a safe space where men can gather and participate in their communities, develop social networks and potentially gain new skills and access information.

- Continued support and prioritisation of community crime prevention through schemes such as Neighbourhood Watch and Text Alert.

The full Action Plan for Rural Development is available at .