957. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he accepts that maintaining viable pubs in rural communities contributes to Government objectives relating to rural regeneration, community development and social inclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49635/26]

958. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the engagement his Department has had with representative bodies regarding measures to support the sustainability of community pubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49637/26]

960. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if his Department has examined the relationship between pub closures and rural decline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49684/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 957, 958 and 960 together.

I am aware of the challenges faced by rural pubs and their importance as hubs for social connection and cultural life.

While specific supports for the pub sector would fall under the remit of my colleagues, the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, the Government’s Our Rural Future policy takes a whole-of-government approach to rural development, with actions to support the rural economy and rural communities.

The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland made a submission to the written consultation process to inform the development of the next iteration of Our Rural Future. This was part of an extensive public and stakeholder consultation process that took place throughout 2025 and gathered the views of well over 2,000 participants. All such submissions are feeding directly into the development of the policy.

The policy is underpinned by funding through my department's rural development investment programme and community development programme, as well as an array of funding streams across government.

Rural pubs can play an important role in rural communities in particular. For example, I am very conscious of the challenge of rural isolation, and with this in mind I have put in place a range of funding streams to help address this issue. These supports include the Seniors Alert Scheme, the Local Enhancement Programme, the Community Services Programme, and the Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme.

In addition, there is no doubt that our significant investment in the Community Centre Investment Fund in recent years has helped to ensure that our rural areas have high quality facilities that can serve as focal points for communities.

Our Rural Future has taken a whole-of-government approach to supporting the revitalisation of our rural areas, by supporting local enterprises, enhancing digital connectivity and improving key services such as rural transport.

The development of the new Our Rural Future policy will continue to provide a framework for continued investment in our rural communities over the coming years to support rural enterprises and rural communities and to deliver on our shared ambition for rural Ireland.

As part of the development of the new iteration of Our Rural Future, I am continuing to engage with my ministerial colleagues to ensure that our ambition for rural Ireland is underpinned by a series of ambitious and practical actions.