Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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53. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the interaction her Department has had with an organisation (details supplied) and other stakeholders to consider the role and development of co-operatives in rural communities. [8944/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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A key part of Our Rural Future - the National Rural Development Policy is supporting the creation of more and better jobs throughout the regions which will allow people to have a choice of employment and improved career prospects. It will enable them to continue to live and work in their local area and encourage more people to relocate to, or return to, rural areas, supporting the regional growth strategy of the National Planning Framework.

While my Department has had no direct interaction with the organisation referenced, I acknowledge the important role they play in communities across the country and my Department is open to engaging with them and other key stakeholders as required.