Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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99. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if budget 2019 will be rural-proofed in order to ensure that there will be no further cuts to services for rural communities; if recent cuts to services will be reversed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38586/18]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that the preparation of the Budget is primarily a matter for the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, who will bring his proposals for Budget 2019 to Government for decision in the coming weeks.

It would not be appropriate for me, at this stage, to comment on the issues raised by the Deputy in advance of the Budget being presented to Dáil Eireann on 9^thOctober.

In a more general context, the Action Plan for Rural Development, which was published in January 2017, represents a significant development in providing a whole of Government approach to developing the opportunities, and addressing the challenges, facing rural Ireland today. The comprehensive range of measures contained in the Action Plan demonstrates the level of support for, and investment in, rural Ireland which is taking place right across Government.

Project Ireland 2040 builds on the Action Plan for Rural Development and includes a specific strategic objective of achieving strengthened rural economies and communities. To support this objective, the Government has established the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, to be overseen by my Department, which will provide €1 billion for rural development over the next 10 years.

This Fund, along with the continued implementation of the Action Plan for Rural Development, will support the economic and social development of our rural communities in the coming years.