Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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239. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she expects to engage with urban and rural communities with the objective of improving their quality of life; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50283/21]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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241. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she expects to further enhance the quality of life for rural or urban communities with particular reference to the need for inclusivity leading to stability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50285/21]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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244. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she continues to liaise with women's groups in urban and rural Ireland with a view to offering social and or economic support; the degree to which she has studied the beneficial effects of such interaction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50288/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 239, 241 and 244 together.

A vital part of my Department's mission is to support vibrant and sustainable communities across this country, and in doing so to deliver on a wide range of strategic interventions, funding programmes and policies to support urban and rural communities.

Groups or organisations qualify for support schemes or programmes provided by my Department where they meet the requisite eligibility criteria. Funding includes the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), the Community Services Programme, the CLÁR Programme, the Community Enhancement Programme, and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.

My Department is also responsible for a number of national policies containing measures to improve the lives of people throughout the country. These include the National Policy on Social Enterprise, and Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities: 5 Year Strategy to Support the Community and Voluntary Sector 2019-2024.

In March I launched Our Rural Future, a new whole-of-Government rural development policy. The policy is an ambitious blueprint for the social and economic development of rural Ireland over the next five years. It has the potential to have a transformative effect on rural communities and positive impacts on the lives of people living and working in rural areas. The policy is supported by 150 commitments across Government, which will address the challenges facing communities and deliver new opportunities for people living in rural areas.

All my Department’s policies are underpinned by extensive consultation with a wide range of stakeholders including rural and urban stakeholder groups, community groups, young people, women’s groups, Government Departments and State Agencies.

This engagement process provides important insights into issues impacting on rural and urban communities and in identifying areas for response relevant to the work of my Department. Ongoing dialogue is maintained by my Department with rural and urban stakeholders in order to identify and respond to issues impacting on individuals and communities.

I will also continue to collaborate with my Government colleagues and will monitor the issues which impact our urban and rural communities in order to respond to emerging needs.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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240. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which her Department is concerned regarding rural depopulation leading to closure of rural schools, post offices and Garda stations all of which have a major contribution to make in the social and economic life of communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50284/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Minister for Education has responsibility for the education sector and schools, the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications has policy responsibility for the postal sector and the Minister for Justice and Equality has policy responsibility for An Garda Síochána.

However, I am acutely aware of the value placed by rural communities on services such as those provided by post offices, the Gardaí and schools. Ensuring access to services for rural communities is an issue that cuts across almost all Government Departments. Reflecting that whole-of-Government focus, rural and regional development is also at the heart of the Programme for Government.

Significant investment in rural Ireland is taking place across Government and my Department continues to support communities across rural Ireland, and to address rural depopulation, through a range of funding schemes and supports.

Funding is available for rural areas in my Department through: the €1 billion allocated to the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, the CLÁR Programme, the Community Enhancement Programme, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and funding for our Public Libraries. Funding is also delivered through the Community Services Programme, LEADER Programme and the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme where supports are tailored to the specific needs of individual areas.

Earlier this year I launched an ambitious new five year rural development policy – Our Rural Future. This policy recognises that strong rural economies and communities are vital in supporting and safeguarding the sustainability of vibrant towns and villages across the country. It also recognises that rural areas are critical to our national economic, social and environmental wellbeing. Our Rural Futurecontains over 150 commitments for delivery right across Government over its lifetime, including specific measures aimed at enhancing public services in rural areas.