To ask the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for her assessment of the current infrastructure to support community development in rural areas; and the ability of rural communities to support actions that alleviate poverty and exclusion.

Contracts have been awarded to a total of seven service providers for the provision of a local rural community development support and advice service for all of the rural wards in the 11 new Local Council Districts. The contracts for this service have been extended until 31 March 2016 and an evaluation of the programme up to 31 March 2015 has shown that is meeting the objective of assisting rural communities in identifying and addressing issues of poverty and isolation.