Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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26. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to ensure the viability and sustainability of towns and villages in rural areas which have lost or are losing their local post office. [46040/18]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment has policy responsibility for the postal sector. However, I am acutely aware of the value placed by rural communities on services such as the local post office.

Last month the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment launched a new Digital Assist pilot initiative with An Post. Ten locations across the country will act as pilots for the provision of new services that will help sustain the viability of the post office network into the future and I am delighted that my Department has been able to provide funding of €80,000 for this programme. The first unit has been unveiled in Ballymore Eustace post office in Co Kildare.

Ensuring access to services for rural communities is an issue that cuts across almost all Government Departments. It also relates to services provided by the private sector. In my role as Minister for Rural and Community Development I am absolutely clear on the importance of ensuring that rural communities can access the services they need so that they remain vibrant places in which to live and work.

Investment in rural Ireland is taking place right across Government.  The Action Plan for Rural Development is a comprehensive cross-Government plan which sets out a wide range of measures focused on supporting and building sustainable communities; growing jobs and enterprise; improving access to services; maximising tourism, culture and heritage assets; and improving connectivity in rural areas.

Since its publication significant progress has been made in terms of delivery of the measures contained in the Action Plan.

Continued implementation of the Action Plan for Rural Development, together with the additional €1 billion investment provided for through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund as part of the €116 billion committed under Project Ireland 2040 and the National Development Plan, will bring positive benefits to our rural communities.

My Department administers a range of funding programmes that support local communities throughout Ireland. Of particular importance for those towns and villages most disadvantaged in terms of access to services are the CLÁR Programme, the new Community Enhancement Programme, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the funding being provided to our public libraries.

Additionally, funding delivered through the LEADER Programme and the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme provides supports tailored to the specific needs of individual areas.

In terms of directly facilitating access to services in rural Ireland, the Department of Transport has provided a funding allocation of €14.9 million for local link services in 2018. Such funding facilitated 1.9 million passenger journeys last year – providing a vital service for rural communities.