From Department of Rural and Community Development
Published on
Last updated on
Mr Michael Ring TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development , has today (Friday 6 September) invited everyone attending the National Ploughing Championships to visit the “Community: Rural and Gaeltacht Supports” marquee in the Government of Ireland Village.
This year’s National Ploughing Championships takes place in Fenagh, Co. Carlow, 17 – 19 September.
“This event allows us to meet people from all over rural Ireland to discuss how we work with them to promote rural and regional economic development. This is a key part of improving the quality of life in communities in rural areas, small towns and villages.
“It gives us an opportunity to increase awareness of Government policies and supports which are in place and delivering positive outcomes for rural Ireland and its communities.”
In the Government of Ireland Village exhibitors have been grouped together in themes so that visitors can access important and necessary information which directly impacts on them. In the Community: Rural and Gaeltacht Supports Marquee there will be information, talks and demonstrations on; Rural funding, Social inclusion, Libraries, Community and voluntary supports, Social innovation, An Ghaeltacht agus na hOileáin, An Garda Síochána Community Engagement Bureau and many more – all designed to support everyday life in communities across the country.
“This week I announced an online consultation process to inform the development of a new, whole-of-Government policy for rural Ireland for the period 2020-2025. We want the public to have their say on issues impacting on rural Ireland and this survey, along with our presence at the Ploughing Championships, is part of an ongoing discussion we are having to allow us to support the economic and social progress of rural Ireland, especially in the context of Brexit.”
At the Ploughing Championships, businesses, consumers and members of the public are being encouraged to visit the Government of Ireland’s Brexit Hub at the event. The Hub, also located in the Government of Ireland Village, will include stands, exhibitors and demonstrations providing a range of practical tips and information on how to prepare for Brexit, whether you are a businessperson or a consumer. With an expected attendance of a quarter of a million people, the NPC 2019 is seen as an important opportunity to engage directly with members of the public on the steps we can all take to be Brexit ready.
The Government of Ireland will have a significant presence at the NPC this year, with 150 Government Exhibitors in 19 marquees across 13,000sq metres. The Brexit Hub will encompass the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Bord Bia, the Business and Employment: Welfare and Tax marquee and the Government of Ireland central marquee. Information and advice will be on hand about the practical steps we all can take to prepare for Brexit.
Sustainability is a central theme across the Government marquees at the NPC. Government Exhibitors will limit merchandise and only provide informational leaflets where necessary; all 700 bins of the full NPC site will feature Government of Ireland information from MyWaste on sorting and recycling on the AES waste signage; and a discount has been negotiated for visitors who bring keep cups for tea and coffee with Rumbles, the site vendor.
For further information visit http://www.gov.ie/Ploughing19
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Full List of Exhibitors in the Community: Rural and Gaeltacht Supports:
• Creative Ireland;
• Place Names Commission;
• An Ghaeltacht agus na hOileáin;
• Support Social Inclusion and Communities Unit;
• Community Services Programme;
• Social Inclusion and Communities Unit (Dog Control);
• Water Safety Ireland (formerly Irish Water Safety);
• Public Participation Networks; Boardmatch (volunteer recruitment);
• LEADER;
• Libraries;
• Local Community Development Committees;
• Social Innovation Fund Ireland;
• Community & Voluntary Supports and Programmes;
• Irish Coast Guard;
• Local Link;
• Rural Schemes - Town and Village Renewal Scheme; Outdoor recreation;
• CLÁR;
• Local Improvement Scheme (LIS);
• Walks Scheme;
• Tidy Towns;
• Tusla;
• Peace (Programme for Peace and Reconciliation);
• An Garda Siochana Community Engagement;
• Civil Defence; and
• Defence Forces.
The Government of Ireland marquee will host a series of events over the three days - including daily Brexit Readiness workshops, Ministerial panel discussions and discussions on topics such as Women in Sport. It will also act as an information hub for visitors on Government and The Village, including maps of The Village, in English and as Gaeilge. Signs across The Village and outside each marquee will also help visitors find what they need and who they want to talk to.
The approximately 90 Government Exhibitors at 2018 NPC were dispersed over 42 different plots and marquees across the full 700 acre site, requiring visitors to actively seek out Government providers and know exactly who they needed to talk to in advance.
Change in delivery is embedding Civil Service Reform and putting the recommendations of Our Public Service 2020 into action through citizen-focused design.