To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail (i) the expected timeframe for the implementation of the 25 recommendations made by the Rural Needs Working Group; and (ii) any planned initiatives that may directly affect people living in rural areas of East Londonderry.

My Department has already implemented a number of the recommendations made by the Working Group established to Review the Implementation of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016. Progress on implementation is set out in Annex A. My Department is working to implement the remaining recommendations over the coming months although it recognises that Covid-19 restrictions may have an impact on delivering some of the recommendations.

In relation to those recommendations made by the Rural Needs Working Group which are applicable to other public authorities, the Department has written to each public authority requesting that it implements the recommendations.

In relation to initiatives in rural areas of East Londonderry, DAERA's ongoing Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation (TRPSI) Programme supports a range of initiatives which benefit all rural communities across Northern Ireland.