Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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23. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the mechanism to be deployed to deliver on the commitments in Our Rural Future-Rural Development Policy 2021 to 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27831/21]

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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28. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of Our Rural Future - Rural Development Policy 2021-2025; and the measures that have been implemented. [27977/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 28 together.

‘Our Rural Future’, the new Rural Development Policy for 2021-2025, is the most ambitious and transformational policy for rural development in Ireland for decades, focusing on sustainability and optimising opportunities for individuals, communities and businesses.

The Policy contains over 150 measures for delivery over the lifetime of the policy. These commitments were developed in collaboration with Departments across the whole of Government.

A key component in the implementation of Our Rural Future is the commitment to produce Annual Work Programmes, which will detail the actions being undertaken and associated timelines for delivery.

The 2021 Work Programme is at an advanced stage of development. It is currently being finalised and will be published imminently. It will outline measures and actions for delivery in 2021, developed in conjunction with the Departments and agencies responsible for delivering on the ambition contained in Our Rural Future.

Many actions identified for 2021 are already underway or substantially advanced. These include the launch of the Connected Hubs initiative and the Transitional LEADER Programme, significant announcements of funding under the Rural and Urban Regeneration and Development Funds, and funding for active travel projects across the country.

The policy also commits to regular Progress Reports, the first of which will be published at the end of 2021, with subsequent Progress Reports to follow every six months.

Implementation of the Policy will be overseen by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Investment, chaired by An Taoiseach, and supported by a Senior Officials Group comprising representatives from key Government Departments. Additionally, my Department will maintain ongoing engagement across Government and stakeholders as regards implementation.