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