Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 March 2017
49. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her views on the lack of a shortlist of priorities, as highlighted by a person (details supplied), with regard to the recently launched Action Plan for Rural Development; the details of any progress regarding the establishment of targets and performance metrics for the actions included in the plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11741/17]
View answerRealising our Rural Potential, the Government's Action Plan for Rural Development, was launched on the 23rd January. The Action Plan contains more than 270 actions for the delivery across Government, State agencies and other bodies to support the economic and social progress of rural Ireland. Each action has been assigned to a lead body which will be responsible for implementation of the action within a definite timescale.
The Action Plan is built around five thematic Pillars, each of which contains a series of high-level priorities or objectives. The Plan also contains a number of high-level targets, such as supporting the creation of 135,000 jobs outside of Dublin by 2020, increasing overseas tourists to rural areas by 12%, supporting the rejuvenation of over 600 towns and villages across the country, and protecting vital local services.
Because the Plan will be delivered across a range of Government Departments and agencies, it is possible to deliver on the key priorities simultaneously. Delivery of the Plan will be overseen by a Monitoring Committee, which I will chair, and it will meet on a regular basis to identify progress and address any potential delays in the delivery of individual actions. The inaugural meeting of the Monitoring Committee will take place in the coming weeks.
To add further value to the targets and output indicators already set out in the Plan, the Monitoring Committee will also assist with the development of appropriate impact indicators to measure the social and economic impact of the Action Plan on rural communities. My Department has already conducted some initial work in this regard.
