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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 Jun 2001

Vol. 539 No. 2

Written Answers. - National Development Plan.

Denis Naughten

Question:

35 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Finance if, prior to approval by the Cabinet, the national development plan was rural proofed by the sub-committee responsible for the implementation of the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13491/01]

The rural development co-ordinating committee did not meet to rural proof the national development plan prior to its approval by Government. The establishment of the rural development co-ordinating committee was, in fact, provided for in the plan as part of the rural proofing of implementation of the plan. The White Paper on Rural Development provided the basis for such proofing. Chapter 11 of the plan sets out the manner in which the overall strategy provided for in the White Paper is addressed and, as indicated therein, overall NDP investment impacting directly on rural development will be of the order of 8.5 billion.

The chair and secretariat for the rural development co-ordinating committee will be provided by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development. The terms of reference of the committee are to: review the rural development related policies underpinning non co-financed and Structural Funds co-financed investment under the NDP-CSF and the impact of that investment on rural areas and rural communities within the overall perspective of the White Paper on Rural Development; assess and report on the degree of rural development integration achieved in the implementation of operational programmes and initiatives; act as a forum for the promotion of rural development policies and practices among Departments, implementing agencies, social partners and others involved in the NDP-CSF, with particular emphasis on the development of monitoring methodologies and mechanisms to facilitate the Government's rural development objectives; report to, and make recommendations to, the NDP-CSF monitoring committee on the performance and impact of the operational programmes on rural areas and rural communities; and contribute to the mid-term review of the NDP-CSF, consistent with the arrangements set out in the CSF for the mid-term review, by providing advice in relation to rural development related issues.

The national development plan also provides that impact on rural development is taken into account in project selection processes for all measures and in the relevant monitoring and evaluation arrangements set out in the plan.

Question No. 36 answered with Question No. 33.

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