Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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63. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if his Department has made a submission on the draft national planning framework; if so, the general focus of the submission; if the submission includes issues such as the growth of towns and villages, the role of the regional economic and spatial strategies and community development structures among other issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1290/18]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The development of the National Planning Framework (NPF) is led by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.  Since the establishment of my Department in July 2017, my officials have participated on a Cross Departmental Steering Group led by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, to provide inputs to the NPF.

In the context of this Steering Group and bilateral engagement with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, my Department provided inputs to the draft National Planning Framework which was published in September 2017 for public consultation.  

The general focus of the inputs included:

- the role of rural Ireland in the development of our country for the duration of the Plan and beyond;

- the central importance of our towns and villages in supporting sustainable economic and population growth nationally, and the role key settlements play in driving the development of each region;

- maximising the potential of rural Ireland through the diversification of enterprise sectors;

- the contribution which the Atlantic Economic Corridor can make in supporting regional development;

- ensuring the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies take account of regional and rural development concerns as they are developed by the Regional Assemblies; and

- having a stronger focus on the role of communities, community development, and local democratic structures.

The preparation of Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies are provided for in the draft National Planning Framework.

I think these strategies will be very significant and I know work has already commenced on their drafting. I encourage all stakeholders to take part and contribute so that the strategies can reflect the strengths and needs of each region.

Also of important is how initiatives and projects which impact on more than one region are facilitated. One example is the AEC.

The overarching objective of the Atlantic Economic Corridor concept is to maximize the assets of the western region, from Kerry to Donegal and connect the economic hubs, clusters and catchments of the region a to attract investment, support job creation and contribute to an improved quality of life for those who live in the region.

My Department will continue to engage with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government as they work towards finalising the NPF.