Action Plan for Rural Development

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2019

Tuesday, 14 May 2019

Questions (459)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

459. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the reason local action groups, LAGs, that are currently delivering the LEADER programme and are not local community development committees, LCDCs, such as in Galway, were not invited to be part of the stakeholder consultation on the next phase of rural development taking place as per an invitation issued to the chief executives of the local authorities on 18 April 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20576/19]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The Government's Action Plan for Rural Development was published in January 2017 as a three-year plan to support the economic and social development of rural Ireland. The Action Plan runs to the end of 2019, and my Department is now giving consideration to the next phase of rural development policy, from 2020 onwards.

As part of this process, my Department is holding a series of consultation events throughout the country to obtain the views of stakeholders on the challenges and opportunities facing rural Ireland over the next five years. The stakeholder inputs from these events will help to inform the development of the next phase of rural policy.

My Department has sought to ensure a wide range of key stakeholders are represented at these events. I can confirm that all rural-based Local Development Companies, including those in Galway, were issued with details of the events and were invited to attend.