Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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961. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the way that her Department is supporting research into rural development priorities to ensure effective Government policies, especially for persons in the midlands region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18027/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Our Rural Future, Ireland's Rural Development Policy 2021 - 2025, places a strong emphasis on the importance of evidence-informed policy making and, in that regard, recognises the value of research in supporting sustainable rural development. The Policy commits to supporting new research into rural development priorities, including in collaboration with Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and other research organisations.

To strengthen linkages between policy and academia my Department established the Higher Education and Research Network in 2021 with membership from third level institutions and research organisations across the country.The first meeting took place last October and the Network it will meet again on 5 April.

The Network will feed into the development of more effective rural development policy by sharing information with the Department and other members of the Network on ongoing research taking place on issues of relevance to rural areas and by identifying opportunities for the advancement of the rural development agenda, including through research, teaching and collaboration.

I am delighted to say that following the first meeting of the Network, my Department and the National University of Ireland Galway have agreed to collaborate on a seminar series to support Our Rural Future’s objectives regarding advancing higher level research in areas relevant to rural development. The Rural Voices Seriesprovides a platform for Irish academics and key rural stakeholders to present their research or rural projects, allows for networking, and facilitates discussions around key rural issues.

Rural Voices launched in January of this year and seminars are being held monthly. The topics presented so far in the series have ranged from the Our Rural Futurepolicy framework, Northern and Western Regional Assembly Vacancy and Dereliction Analysis, and the potential of rural Social Enterprises as contributors to rural development.

I have also recently announced an exciting new collaboration between my Department and the National University Ireland (NUI) to offer a Government of Ireland-NUI Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Rural Development over two academic years 2022-23 and 2023-24. This fellowship is offered to support post-doctoral research in rural development in general, and specifically research which supports the objectives of the National Rural Development Policy 2021-2025, Our Rural Future.

It is intended that the research project will contribute to the evidence basis underpinning national policies relevant to sustainable rural development, and more generally to enhance research, teaching and learning in rural development in the host institution. The closing date for applications is Friday 8 April and we expect to have a candidate in place commencing the next academic term of September 2022.

Finally, my Department is also exploring research on outcomes for children and young people in rural areas, based on the Growing Up in Ireland dataset and other relevant datasets.

My Department is committed to exploring opportunities to build collaborations and enhance the research across all aspects of rural development. Evidence informed policies can lead to better outcomes for all areas, including the midlands region.