Our Rural Future, Ireland's new Rural Development Policy, is an ambitious framework for the sustainable development of rural Ireland for the next five years. The vision of the policy is for a thriving rural Ireland which is integral to our national economic, social, cultural and environmental wellbeing and development. Our Rural Future contains over 150 commitments across Government, for both the short-term recovery and longer-term, sustainable development of rural areas.
A Work Programme will be published annually setting out the key measures for delivery each year and implementation will be monitored by six-monthly Progress Reports. As the Policy is a living document, there is scope for the inclusion of additional measures on an annual basis, as needs, opportunities and priorities naturally evolve. Regular reports to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Investment, chaired by An Taoiseach, will ensure progress across all Government Departments on the implementation of these commitments. My Department is currently finalising the 2021 Work Programme which will identify the key actions for delivery this year and I expect to publish this in the coming weeks.