Michael Moynihan
Ceist:889. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development for a progress report on the implementation of Our Rural Future. [55288/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 12 December 2023
Ceisteanna (889)
Freagraí scríofa
Our Rural Future is the whole of Government policy for sustainable rural development in Ireland. Published in March 2021 it contains more than 170 measures for delivery, for both short-term recovery and longer-term economic and social development, and environmental and cultural wellbeing.
We have now passed the midpoint of the implementation phase of Our Rural Future, and I am delighted at the high level of progress to date across all contributing Departments. This provides an ongoing demonstration of this Government’s continued commitment to rural Ireland.
Updates on policy implementation are provided through six-monthly Progress Reports and Annual Work Programmes. The development of Annual Work Programmes allows for revised priorities, including new measures, in light of emerging opportunities and challenges.
The 4 Progress Reports and 3 annual Work Programmes published to date are available on my department's website: www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/c6f5d-our-rural-future/
By way of examples of some of the commitments being delivered across Government, the most recent Report, published in August, included the completion of actions relating to the appointment of new Town Regeneration Officers across the country, the commencement of new Local Link bus routes, the launch of the new Regional Tourism Development Strategies by Fáilte Ireland, and the publication by my Department of the new cross-Government policy for the islands, Our Living Islands.
My Department is currently in the process of meeting bilaterally with relevant Departments to discuss the 2024 Work Programme and I am grateful to my colleagues in Government for the high and sustained level of engagement across their Departments to support the ambition of Our Rural Future.
I anticipate that both the 5th Progress Report and 2024 Work Programme will be published in the first quarter of 2024.