To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to outline the steps she is taking to ensure that the needs of rural citizens are considered in the action plans for the Programme for Government.

The Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016 will come into effect for Northern Ireland departments on 1 June 2017. It provides a statutory basis for an existing Executive commitment to undertake rural proofing of all new and revised policies and strategies across government.

Responsibility for carrying out rural proofing of the Programme for Government action plans lies with individual Departments. My officials are available to provide information and guidance on the rural proofing process to those involved.

On 10 October 2016, I wrote to Executive colleagues reminding them of their responsibilities under the Executive commitment and referred them to the current guidance on rural proofing. Departments, therefore, are aware of the need to consider any potential impact on rural citizens of policies, strategies, plans or services undertaken in support of the Programme for Government Framework’s implementation.