This document summarizes Ireland's rural development policy from both the Irish and EU perspectives. It outlines key policies and initiatives that have shaped rural development in Ireland since joining the EEC in 1973. These include the LEADER program, the Rural Development White Paper of 1999, and the Common Agricultural Policy. The document discusses Ireland's vision for rural communities, institutional arrangements, and both EU and domestic funding programs. It notes upcoming plans to update the rural development policy and identifies issues like economic downturn, governance challenges, and the need for stronger policy coherence and evaluation.

1. 1
Rural Development
the Policy Perspective
Rita McNulty
Assistant Secretary
12 November 2010

2. 2
Rural Development
the Policy Perspective
• What underpins current Rural Development Policy in
Ireland from both the Irish and EU Policy
perspective?
• Some of the Main Policies, Strategies and
Programmes that impact on and interact with Rural
Development Policy in Ireland.
• Current and future issues and challenges facing
rural development policies and programmes in
Ireland.

3. 3
Key Developments and Policies
• Ireland’s joining the EEC in 1973
• Designation of Ireland as an Objective 1 region and a
cohesion state for structural and cohesion funds
• The EU LEADER Community initiative (1991)
• NESC report “New Approaches to Rural Development” (1994)
• The Cork Declaration - a Living Countryside (1996)
• “Towards a Common Agricultural and Rural Policy” also
known as the Buckwell Report (1997)
• The White Paper on Rural Development (1999) – “Ensuring
the Future – A Strategy for Rural Development in Ireland”

4. 4
 Rural Development Policy in Ireland
 White Paper published in 1999
 new approach and commitment by
Government to rural development
 an overall strategic direction for
Government policy
 giving a focus to the needs of rural
communities
 developments within agriculture and
the resulting need for economic
diversification
 Vision for the development of rural
communities

5. 5
 Vision for the development of
rural communities
 economic and social well-being of
rural communities
 conditions for a meaningful and
fulfilling life for rural areas /
communities
 standard of living and a quality of
life: vibrant, sustainable
communities, attractive to live and
work
 retain maximum number of rural
households and especially family
farms

6. 6
 Vision for the development of
rural communities
 equity of opportunity between rural
and urban
 choice as to whether to stay in, leave,
or move to rural Ireland
 sufficient employment opportunities /
sustainable economic development
 access to education, adequate level
of social and other services and
infrastructure
 rural communities to participate in
the structures and decisions
 the rural environment will be
respected – sustainable development

7. 7
 Institutional Arrangements
 White Paper commitments reflected
in sectoral policies pursued by
Departments
 designation of a ‘lead’ Department to
provide improved focus and impetus
for rural development policy
 Rural Proofing – to ensure policies
are examined for impact on rural
communities
 widely representative National Rural
Development Forum to debate
current issues and identify policy
responses
 closest possible co-operation with
Northern Ireland

8. 8
• Propose to bring forward an
update on Government Policy
on Rural Development soon
• Short policy paper based on
White Paper
– looking at the principles which
are still valid
– challenges and opportunities
going forward
– current Rural Dev Programme /
LEADER post-2013 context
– Section on North-South
cooperation

9. 9
LEADER Programmes
CLÁR Programme
Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais -
Weak Areas of High Priority
Rural Social Scheme
Rural Recreation
DCEGA
Rural Development
Initiatives

10. 10
EU Policy Context
• Common Agricultural Policy – the main
policy mechanism for rural dev
• Late 1980s Reform of CAP
• Agenda 2000, The Rural Development
Regulation became the 2nd
Pillar of CAP

11. 11
EU Policy Context (contd)
Post 2013 Debate
• More equitable distribution of funding and
enhanced environmental emphasis
• Pillar 11 focus more on competitiveness,
innovation, climate change and
environment

12. 12
EU Policy Context (contd)
• Direct Payments – Two functions, income
support and provision of public goods.
Should be more targeted.
• Rural Development – an integral part of
CAP
• Need for coherence between Rural Dev
Policy and other EU policies.

13. 13
Issues and Challenges
Issues and challenges for Rural
Development Policy and Programmes in
Ireland :
• Economic Downturn, Fiscal Constraints
• Balance between governance,
accountability and not stifling innovation
and risk taking

14. 14
Issues & Challenges (contd)
• Coherence among policy makers and
service/programme deliverers at all levels
• Evidence and Impact-based Evaluation
Framework
• Seek to devise a more holistic and
effective way of rural proofing

15. 15
Questions