Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 January 2017
54. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which she hopes to maximise opportunities for the development of the arts and a greater awareness of heritage and economic opportunities likely to arise therefrom arising from the recently announced Action Plan for Rural Development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4133/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of this question is to ascertain the extent to which it is intended in the Action Plan for Rural Development to utilise the arts and our heritage as a means of improving our economic opportunities in the years ahead.
The Action Plan for Rural Development is the first whole-of-Government strategy aimed at people living and working in rural Ireland. It aims to unlock the potential of rural Ireland through a framework of supports at national and local level which will ensure that people who live in rural Ireland have increased opportunities for employment locally and access to public services and social networks that support a high quality of life.
The action plan is an overarching structure for the co-ordination and implementation of initiatives right across Government which will benefit rural Ireland.
It takes a cohesive and co-ordinated approach across the whole of Government to the implementation of economic and social policies that impact on rural communities. The plan contains 276 actions which aim to improve the economic and social fabric of rural Ireland spread across five pillars. Arts and heritage are covered under the fourth pillar of the plan, fostering culture and creativity in rural communities. The key objectives of this pillar are to increase access to the arts and enhance cultural facilities in rural communities, further develop and enhance culture and creativity in rural Ireland through the establishment of culture teams and creativity hubs as part of the Creative Ireland programme and promote the Irish language as a key resource in Gaeltacht and other rural communities. These objectives will be delivered as part of the work programme across my Department, in particular, as part of the Creative Ireland programme which the Taoiseach and I launched in December.
I thank the Minister for her reply. To what extent does she expect to be able to ensure all Departments are cohesive and co-operate in their support for the various objectives set out in the rural action plan? Does she envisage that its objectives will be achieved within a reasonable period?
The answer to the Deputy's second question is "Yes". The plan contains 276 time-bound actions, with responsibility for each action assigned to a relevant Department and-or agency. Implementation of the actions will be monitored closely and progress reports will be published every six months on the delivery of each action and the addition of new actions in response to new challenges and opportunities.
The former GAA Kerry footballer, Mr. Pat Spillane, was appointed as an ambassador for the action plan for rural development. Mr. Spillane previously acted as chair of the Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas, known as CEDRA. The ambassador will assist in communicating the messages in the plan and work to engage local communities in its delivery. Mr. Spillane will also be a member of the monitoring committee which will oversee the implementation of the action plan. The Cabinet committee on rural affairs will also meet regularly and I will monitor the implementation of the plan monthly. Progress reports will also be published every six months.
Will a specific Department play an integral part in delivering services at local level? With whom does one correspond to achieve progress, particularly if a number of interdependent agencies are involved? Will it be possible, after the first six months, to initiate reviews every three months given that the focus will be on planning in the first six months, at which point the operation of the action plan will take over and this will require closer and shorter-term monitoring?
I work closely with local authorities through which we have rolled out the town and village enhancement scheme and the Clár and rural recreation programmes. We will continue to work with them in implementing the action plan. This will be important as they are often the key to local communities. The plan takes a ground-up approach in which communities will devise plans based on what will work best in their locality. They will then present their plans to their respective local authority which will, in turn, submit applications to the Department. This approach has worked well in the town and village enhancement and Clár programmes. People have told me the funding provided under the town and village scheme has been very useful and the scheme has benefited a number of projects across the country.
I assure the Deputy that the plan will be closely monitored. In addition to the monitoring committee, the Cabinet committee on rural affairs chaired by the Taoiseach will also monitor it. We will all be held to account to ensure the plan is implemented.
