Ms Louise Lennon:

I thank the committee for inviting us to present our pre-budget submission. Irish Rural Link represents more 600 community groups in disadvantaged and marginalised rural areas. We work to highlight the challenges facing these communities and we advocate for inclusive, sustainable rural development.

In the current context, many rural households continue to feel the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, especially with ongoing increases in the costs of food, fuel and essential services. Access to public transport remains extremely limited in many rural areas, leaving households dependent on private cars for work, education, health appointments and daily activities. For working families, this often means needing two cars, which significantly increases their cost of living. Even those households where both adults are working full time on minimum wage often struggle to meet a minimum essential standard of living. The annual minimum essential standard of living, MESL, report continues to highlight the income adequacies rural households face, due in large part to the dependency on a car and the high cost of transport associated with that and the lack of accessible services.

This is not just a social welfare issue; it is also a broader income adequacy and public service issue. Without sufficient investment in infrastructure like transport and social supports, rural people continue to be left behind. Long-term targeted investment in public services and infrastructure is vital for balanced regional growth. Without reliable public transport, affordable childcare, healthcare and education, rural communities will continue to be disadvantaged. Irish Rural Link became aware of just one example where the lack of transport is impacting on peoples lives. It involves an accommodation centre in a rural village where the limited transport prevents young children from accessing early years education and leaves the adults unable to reach employment and training or even just to be able to attend appointments or do a weekly shop. Some residents walk long distances along unlit roads to reach services. This is putting their safety at risk also.

The majority of Irish Rural Link's membership are working in the community or in community and voluntary organisations. The cost pressures, especially insurance and rising operational expenses, are threatening the viability of these services, such as meals on wheels, rural transport, community childcare, community education and other community, health and social services. Funding for these groups remains limited, short term and insecure. Many organisations receive only annual funding, making it extremely difficult to plan ahead or retain staff. Section 39 organisations in particular are struggling to compete with public sector wages.

Irish Rural Link co-ordinates the national meals on wheels network and providers are seeing significant increases in food and fuel costs. Budget 2025 did not go far enough. We are calling for €10 million in ring-fenced funding in budget 2026 and for the introduction of multi-annual core funding to help providers plan sustainably and avoid passing the costs on to vulnerable older people.

Some of our key asks for budget 2026 are that the budget be rural-proofed with a strong focus on regional equity. We want an increase in rural welfare rates to reflect the true cost of living for people in rural areas, along with investment in public services and rural infrastructure, including transport, digital inclusion and health and social care.

We are also looking for expanded and improved rural transport services, with demand-led models and sustainable vehicle options. We are also asking for multi-annual core funding to community and voluntary organisations delivering essential local services. Meals on wheels must be supported with ring-fenced funding and recognition of their role in healthcare and social care. Insurance barriers for voluntary groups should be reviewed to free up more resources for service delivery. We should strengthen and retain employment scheme participants by creating long-term, paid roles in community services.

Adequate incomes, investment in services and sustainable supports for the community and voluntary sector in budget 2026 are essential for the sustainability of rural communities. I thank the committee for the opportunity to speak.