Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Our Rural Future is the most ambitious and transformational policy for rural development in Ireland for decades. The policy commits to developing an effective rural-proofing model within the lifetime of the policy. This will aim to ensure Departments fully consider the effects of new proposals on rural communities and the need to better target the particular challenges and opportunities facing rural areas.

Building a on rural-proofing report my Department commissioned, I also recently hosted the 13th OECD international rural development conference. This event provided a further valuable insight on how the challenge of rural proofing is being addressed in other countries. To develop a rural-proofing model that is effective, it must be seen as a valuable tool to support the objectives of multiple Departments and not just the Department responsible for rural development. It must be focused on delivering positive outcomes for rural communities and the achievement of Government objectives.

My officials are in discussions with a number of Departments to pilot a new rural-proofing model as an aid to effective policymaking. This process will identify particular policy areas or initiatives that can benefit from the application of a rural lens to policy development. The pilot approach will serve to underpin the development of an effective, efficient, and implementable rural-proofing model that will support rural development and ensure we maximise the opportunities for rural areas to the greatest extent possible.

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