Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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2576. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the consideration that was given to the impact of attracting remote workers to rural communities on house prices in rural areas in the development of Our Rural Future, Ireland’s Rural Development Policy 2021 to 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19403/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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‘Our Rural Future’, the new Rural Development Policy, contains over 150 commitments across the whole-of-Government, for both short-term recovery and longer-term development. As part of the development of the Policy an extensive research and consultation process was undertaken to identify the issues that matter most to people living and working in rural areas. Amongst the highest priorities of people in rural areas is the issue of depopulation and changing demographics.

This policy recognises the challenges facing Irish society at present including those around regional development, climate action and, indeed, housing. Many of our cities are under unsustainable pressure whereas some rural areas continue to experience depopulation. As people leave our rural areas, the less attractive they become for those who remain. Our Rural Future aims to arrest this trend and capitalise on the opportunities available to us by achieving a more balanced regional development in a manner that is complementary to the objectives of the National Planning Framework.

By encouraging people to move to, or move back to rural areas, we have an opportunity not only to revitalise our rural areas but we can address the pressure on cities, improve the achievement of our carbon emissions targets and enhance the wellbeing of all of our people.

This approach has been informed by extensive research and consultation with technical experts and broader stakeholders including Government Departments, State agencies, rural stakeholder groups, academics and researchers, young people, and the wider public. Workshops were held throughout the country (including on the Aran Islands) which were attended by rural stakeholders including Local Authorities, community and voluntary groups, sectoral and representative groups and business interests. An online public survey which invited participants to submit their opinions on the challenges and opportunities facing people living and working in rural Ireland received 1,733 responses, and amongst with the top three challenges identified was the issue of changing demographics of rural areas.

As a whole-of-government Policy, I also had detailed engagement with my Cabinet colleagues, including the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, who has primary responsibility for housing policy.

The priority in this policy is to revitalise our towns and villages by ensuring people have options available to them, including by bringing vacant residential properties back into use and ensuring development is sustainable. The policy is focussed on people and the possibilities available to them. It has been published at a time when remote, or connected, working has the potential to transform rural Ireland, allowing people to pursue careers in good quality jobs, whilst reaping the benefits of reduced commuting times, lower emissions, more time with family and, most importantly, a better quality of life.