To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how his Department is working with officials in the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to develop better access to health care for people who are rurally isolated.

My Department is represented on the Interdepartmental Committee on Rural Policy which reports to DARD on implementation of the Rural White Paper Action plan. The latest annual report (see below) provides information on partnership working with DARD on programmes such as the Farm Family Health Checks, and the MARA (Maximising Access to Services, Grants and Benefits in Rural Areas) project which supports vulnerable rural dwellers living in, or at risk of poverty and social isolation. In addition, the PHA works in partnership with DARD, rurally based agencies and community partners on an ongoing basis in the design and delivery of health improvement programmes.

http://www.dardni.gov.uk/annual-progress-report-2014-final.pdf