Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

333. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she continues to address urban and rural community needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54135/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

334. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she continues to liaise with representatives of urban and rural communities with a view to maximising supports for the various relevant community-based enterprises; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54136/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

335. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she continues to monitor the extent to which support continues to be needed among urban and rural communities for particular modes of support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54137/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 333 to 335, inclusive, together.

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 including youth groups and voluntary and community groups.

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.

Last year 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 identifies areas for response relevant to the work of my Department.

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