Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2017
94. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her Department's input into the development of a new spatial strategy; if this strategy will provide the necessary provisions to enable rural areas to reach their full potential and ensure a fair share of State capital investment for rural areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27283/17]
View answerThe development of a new National Planning Framework (NPF), which will set out a new strategic planning and development context for Ireland out to 2040, is being led by the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government. A public consultation process on the NPF was launched last February and ran to 16th March.
I met with the outgoing Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government at an early stage in the process and highlighted the importance of sustaining our rural communities and the enormous contribution that rural Ireland makes to our economy, our culture and our society.
There is regular bilateral engagement between my officials and officials in the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government on the development of the NPF. My Department is also involved in the process through its membership of an Inter-Departmental Steering Group which is overseeing the preparation of the Framework.
The NPF will provide the basis for effective regional development and for the long-term sustainable development of our rural communities. I believe that strong regions will provide the basis for improving economic opportunities in rural areas and will help to retain people in rural areas and support sustainable communities.
Improved connectivity, whether through transport infrastructure or high-speed broadband, will be an important enabler to unlock the economic and social potential of rural areas.
My officials will continue to work closely with the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government to assist in finalising the National Planning Framework and to ensure that heritage, cultural and rural issues are taken into account.
