Michael P. Kitt
Question:22 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Taoiseach the sites in the west where the pilot programmes for delivery of services in rural areas will be developed. [4623/95]
Written Answers. - Rural Services.
Robert Molloy
Question:23 Mr. Molloy asked the Taoiseach the proposed pilot programmes to be developed in western areas. [4946/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 23 together.
In its recent report, "New Approaches to Rural Development" the National Economic and Social Council sets out its belief that a unified, location based approach to service provisions in rural ereas should be actively explored. In response to the NESC report, I have responsibility for overseeing the implementation of a pilot programme to see how best a range of public and essential services can be secured and delivered in remote rural areas. My intention is to test on a pilot basis a more integrated approach to service delivery and thus to stimulate an innovative approach to the provision of these services at local level.
The first step in establishing the pilot programme will involve consultation with the relevant bodies concerned. Consultations will be undertaken with the relevant Government Departments represented on the Interdepartmental Policy Committee on Local Development. There will also be consultations with many organisations in the public and voluntary sectors and at local community level. In order to ensure the widest possible involvement of local communities in this process, a number of seminars are to be held at local venues in the western region to discuss the issues involved and to agree a programme of action. These seminars will be held before the end of May and they will be widely advertised. It is through this process of consultation that a small number of suitable sites for pilot programmes will be identified.