Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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762. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the degree to which she expects to encourage investment in the services and manufacturing sectors in rural areas in view of creating a balance with the more urbanised areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20809/17]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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In January this year, I launched Realising our Rural Potential, the Government's Action Plan for Rural Development. The Plan contains over 270 actions to be delivered by a range of Government Departments, State agencies and other bodies to support both the economic and social development of rural Ireland. Strong regions provide the basis for improving economic opportunities and employment potential in rural areas. A key component of the Action Plan for Rural Development is to support the creation of jobs throughout the regions, including through the implementation of eight regional Action Plans for Jobs which are overseen by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. The implementation of these Regional Plans will ensure that people who live in rural areas have increased opportunities for employment locally. The Government aims to deliver 135,000 extra jobs outside of Dublin by 2020.

A number of manufacturing and services sectors offer particular opportunities for enterprise growth and job creation in rural areas, including Agri-food, Tourism, Renewable Energy and International Financial Services. The Action Plan for Rural Development includes a number of actions to support these sectors.

Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland have also placed a renewed focus on investing in supporting enterprises at regional level, and this will have a positive impact on job opportunities and economic activity in rural communities. Further job opportunities will also be created by Údarás na Gaeltachta, the Shannon Group, and through the Local Enterprise Offices.