Vol. 508 No. 4
149 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the policy initiatives, if any, he proposes to facilitate the achievement of the objectives outlined in the recently published White Paper on Rural Development. [19107/99]
The recent White Paper on Rural Development, Ensuring the Future, provides for the first time a comprehensive and integrated expression of Government policy on the needs of rural communities.
The title of my Department was changed, with effect from 27 September 1999, to the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development to reflect its role as the lead Department in providing the central focus and drive for rural development policy matters.
As set out in the White Paper, a Cabinet sub-committee chaired by the Taoiseach and comprising Ministers and Ministers of State whose responsibilities impinge on rural development will ensure policy co-ordination at the highest level. An interdepartmental policy committee comprising senior officials of the relevant Departments will report directly to the Cabinet sub-committee.
The input of local and regional authorities, the social partners and the wider voluntary and community sector to rural development policy issues will be ensured through the establishment of a national rural development forum.
In addition, procedures will be introduced for the rural proofing of national policies so that policy makers are aware of the likely impact of their proposals on the economic, social, cultural and environmental well-being of rural communities.
The Government's intention is that the general principles and commitments in the White Paper will be reflected in the national development plan.
In summary, the strategy set out in the White Paper provides for: regional development and the distribution of the benefits of economic and social progress throughout the country; the integration of policies for economic, social, cultural and environmental development and a particular focus on disadvantage in rural areas.
