It’s time to have your say on the future of Rural Ireland.
I am encouraging everyone to take part in a survey on Rural Ireland as part of a consultation process to develop a whole-of-Government policy for the next five years.
The online survey will seek views on the key challenges and opportunities for rural communities.
The consultation process is being run by my department, the Department of Rural and Community Development.
It is vital that our strategies for Rural Ireland are developed in conjunction with our rural communities so that they can have a direct input into the development of policy for the period 2020-2025.
We want a forward-looking strategy that will build on the progress that has been made over the last three years through the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development.
The new policy will take account of demographic and social trends within rural communities with increased focus on the changing nature of work, the effects of Brexit and climate action.
We want to strengthen our rural communities and enable them to reach their full potential. I would encourage everyone to participate in the survey so that all ideas and opinions inform our plans for the future.
The survey is available online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CTPVSHB until Friday October 11.