www.ruralireland.ie which will act as a hub for information on services and supports for rural dwellers.

You can read the full Action Plan here: http://www.ahrrga.gov.ie/app/uploads/2017/01/162404-rural-ireland-action-plan-web-2-1.pdf

There is a short video available to view at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGpZ-dnKqTc

Monitoring and Implementation
The Plan contains over 270 time-bound actions with responsibility for each action assigned to a relevant Department and/or agency. Implementation of the actions in this Plan will be monitored closely and reports will be submitted regularly to the Cabinet Committee on Regional and Rural Affairs, chaired by An Taoiseach. Progress Reports will be published every six months on the delivery of each action, as well as the addition of new actions in response to new challenges and opportunities.

Minister Humphreys has also announced that she has appointed Pat Spillane as an Ambassador for the Action Plan for Rural Development. Mr Spillane previously acted as Chair of the Commission for Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA). The Ambassador will assist in communicating the messages in the Plan and will work to engage local communities in its delivery. Mr. Spillane will also be a member of the Monitoring Committee which will oversee the implementation on the Action Plan.

Pillar 1: Supporting Sustainable Communities

Key Objectives:

Make rural Ireland a better place in which to live and work by revitalising our town and village centres through the implementation of initiatives such as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the CLÁR and RAPID Programmes and measures to support people to live in town centres.
Empower Local Communities, including through the development and support of the Public Participation Network and Local Community Development Committees, to ensure that a diversity of voices is heard and included in local decision-making processes and that communities continue to identify their own needs and solutions.
Enhance local services in the community through the provision of support for rural GPs, through ongoing development of the primary care sector to deliver better care close to home in communities, through support for the rural post office network to adapt to a changing business environment, and through continued access to schools for children in rural Ireland.
Build better communities through ongoing investment in the LEADER Programme, and supporting vulnerable rural communities though initiatives such as the Rural Social Scheme, and through a range of measures to improve the security and safety of rural dwellers.

Pillar 2: Supporting Enterprise and Employment

Key Objectives:

Grow and attract enterprise and jobs through the roll out implementation of the eight regional Action Plans for Jobs and the development of an Atlantic Economic Corridor to promote balanced regional development.
Support sectoral growth through the continued development of the agri-food sector through the implementation of FoodWise 2025 and roll out initiatives to develop the renewable energy sector and International Financial Services in rural Ireland.
Ensure rural communities have the necessary skills to meet the needs of the labour market and to encourage innovation and maximise assets.
Support rural jobseekers through the Intreo offices and initiatives such as the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme, Tús and Community Employment.
Support farm and fishing incomes through CAP payments, the Rural Development Programme and other Government supports.

Pillar 3: Maximising our Rural Tourism and Recreation Potential

Key Objectives:

Increase tourist numbers to rural Ireland by 12% by 2019.
Support sustainable jobs through targeted rural tourism initiatives, including through the support of key marketing initiatives such as Ireland's Ancient East and the Wild Atlantic Way, as well as developing the potential of Ireland's Lakelands.
Develop and promote Activity Tourism in rural areas through the development of blueways, greenways and other recreational opportunities.
Develop and promote our natural and built heritage through investment and development of our Gaeltacht areas, enhanced promotion of our National Parks and Nature Reserves and other natural and built resources.

Pillar 4: Fostering Culture and Creativity in rural communities

Key Objectives:

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 Pprogramme.
Promote the Irish language as a key resource in Gaeltacht and other rural communities.

Pillar 5: Improving Rural Infrastructure and Connectivity

Key Objectives:

Bring high speed broadband to every premises in Ireland through the rollout of the National Broadband Plan and improve mobile phone access in rural areas.
Improve rural transport links through a review of services, support for our regional airports and investment in rural infrastructure.
Implement flood relief measures and other land management measures to protect our rural infrastructure.