Rural Communities Must be Supported to Achieve their Full Potential

Chambers Ireland welcomes the Action Plan for Rural Development launched today (23 January 2017) by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys TD.

Commenting on the Action Plan, Ian Talbot, Chief Executive Chambers Ireland said, “The ‘Realising our Rural Potential’ Plan is an important indication of Government commitment to supporting rural communities and the rural economy across Ireland. We regularly hear from our Network of Chambers of Commerce of the vitality and determination of rural businesses, and of their ambition to remain at the heart of their communities. This Action Plan is a key component of a series of strategic initiatives such as the roll out of the National Broadband Plan and the development of a National Planning Framework that, when delivered, will allow rural businesses to grow and develop within their communities.

Our long term strategy for rural Ireland must be to support our regions and rural communities in achieving their full potential in terms of economic development. Initiatives such as the Regional Action Plans for Jobs and the development of an Atlantic Economic Corridor have the potential to prove transformational for the economic development of the regions, but they will require a sustained focus from policy makers and significant capital investment over the coming years if they are to prove effective. Vibrant rural communities within strong regions will ensure the long term sustainability of rural life in Ireland.”

Commenting on the launch, Brian O’Farrell, CEO County Carlow Chamber stated “This is an important step forward and it is important the actions and measures which this plan delivers will assist in the economic growth and development of the rural communities.  In Carlow we have been working for some time now on ways to rejuvenate the town and County, this was further developed with the launch of Love Carlow by the Chamber in 2016, and we are delighted that this support is being provided to assist in developing the rural communities.”

The plan is available here: Rural Ireland Action Plan