asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline the objectives he has established for proposed rural co-ordinators in the integrated rural development pilot areas; when such co-ordinators are to be appointed; the way in which they are to be appointed; the contribution expected from the experience gained in these pilot areas towards the development of a national rural development policy; and the date when he expects to have such policy in place.
Written Answers. - Rural Co-ordinators.
43.
The general task of the co-ordinators to be appointed in the various areas selected for the introduction of the pilot programme on integrated rural development, will be to assist and facilitate the local community in drawing up a set of priorities for the development of their area and in taking the necessary steps to put these priorities into effect.
The co-ordinators will be selected by a competition to be conducted by the Civil Service Commission. Precise information as to the job requirements will be made available to interested applicants when the positions are advertised. Arrangements are already in hand and it is anticipated that after the necessary training has been carried out the co-ordinators will be operating in their respective areas in the autumn.
The experience gained from the pilot programme — which is to run for a period of two years — will enable an assessment to be made of both the needs and the potential for development in rural areas.
In the light of the emerging experience a decision will be made on the possibility of extending the programme to the entire country.