Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 December 2021
108. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the development of a rural-proofing mechanism to support the Our Rural Future Strategy considering examples of rural-proofing legislation in the North and mechanisms in Sweden and New Zealand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60146/21]
View answer‘Our Rural Future’ is the most ambitious and transformational policy for rural development in Ireland for decades.
The policy contains 152 measures for delivery across the whole-of-Government, with the underlying theme of economic, environmental and societal sustainability. The policy has a vision of ensuring vibrant and thriving rural towns and villages, with a key objective to maximise opportunities for individuals, communities and businesses in rural areas. It recognises that rural areas play an integral role in the economic, social and cultural recovery and wellbeing of the country.
The policy commits to developing an effective rural proofing model. This will ensure that all departments fully consider the effects of new proposals on rural communities, the need to better target the particular challenges and opportunities facing rural areas, and to highlight any impacts that may arise.
The 2021 Our Rural Future Work Plan which I published earlier this year, sets out that a scoping exercise will be carried out to progress this issue. In this regard, my Department has now engaged independent consultants to fully examine the issue of rural proofing in Ireland. Their work will include consideration of rural proofing initiatives internationally, including Northern Ireland and other jurisdictions as noted by the Deputy. The ensuing report will present a series of recommendations on approaches to rural proofing and is anticipated for completion in early 2022.
