‘A budget for rural transport does not cut it’ – TD
Sinn Féin TD Cathy Bennett has called on the government to do more when it comes to ‘rural proofing’.
She made the comments in Dáil Éireann after asking Minister for Social Protection and Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Dara Calleary for an update on the implementation of rural proofing.
Rural proofing refers to proofing processes to ensure that new programmes and initiatives understand, and take account of, the needs and capacities of rural communities.
Minister Calleary said: "Our Rural Future, the national rural development policy, commits to strengthening our approach to rural proofing across all government policies."
He added that his department commissioned a research report on rural proofing and undertook a rural proofing pilot on a number of policy initiatives across a number of departments.
"I remain clear that by taking a clear account of rural perspectives in the policymaking process at the earliest possible stage, we will develop better and, most importantly, more effective policies for rural communities," the minister added.
In reply Deputy Bennett said, when it comes to rural proofing, “the minister can do more”.
She asked: “Where is rural proofing when it comes to free travel cards for kids effectively excluded in many rural communities?
"Where was rural proofing when the government jacked up the carbon tax earlier this year, disproportionately hitting rural dwellers without access to public transport?”
“Will the minister outline the great successes of his rural proofing model?”
Minister Calleary replied: “Rural proofing is delivering a record budget for the Department of Rural and Community Development agus an Gaeltacht - an investment that is going to make a difference in rural communities right across the country.
“Rural proofing is ensuring that [the] government is delivering on policies in many areas.
"I was in Achill last Tuesday [January 27] and saw TFI Anseo, a pilot rural transport scheme that brings rural transport on demand.
“I am delighted to assure the deputy that it is operating very successfully."
The minister added that he is working with other ministers to develop services in rural communities right across the country.
“We are delivering record capital investment," he added.
Rural transport
Deputy Bennett replied: “A budget for rural transport does not cut it. I accept that the minister inherited this poor, lacklustre approach to rural proofing from his predecessor.
“It comes across as a box-ticking exercise; a sop to those who care about it while the minister ditches an idea his government decided not to follow through on.”
In his response, Minister Calleary referred to his predecessor, Heather Humphreys, the former Minister for Social Protection and Minister for Rural and Community Development.
He said: “As minister, Heather Humphreys ensured a revolution in terms of the schemes initiated by the department.
"I am building on that and on extra investment, working with Minister of State, Deputy Jerry Buttimer, to do that.
“We are in charge of rural policy but every department has a role in it.”
Rural development
Minister Calleary was also asked about rural development funding by Deputy Bennett's fellow Sinn Féin TD, Conor D. McGuinness.
Deputy McGuinness queried the minister about when he plans to publish the successor to ‘Our Rural Future: Rural Development Policy 2021-2025’, which outlined the government’s blueprint for a post-COVID-19 recovery and development of rural Ireland.
The Sinn Féin TD also asked whether that new strategy will include “clear, measurable targets for rural services, rural employment, rural housing and ensuring population sustainability”.
In reply, Minister Calleary said: “The programme for government commitment to publish and implement a new Our Rural Future strategy is currently being finalised.
"The new policy will build not just on the progress already achieved but will set out a renewed vision for the whole-of-government approach to rural development for the years ahead.”
When pressed on specific dates for publication by Deputy McGuinness, Minister Calleary said: “The process of developing a new Our Rural Future is going on in tandem with the other process, which is the OECD review of rural development policy in Ireland. We will publish that review shortly.
"I am intent on having the new Our Rural Future published ahead of the summer.”
Our Rural Future
The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht sent a statement to Agriland, providing an update on the next iteration of Our Rural Future.
The statement read: "The Programme for Government includes a commitment to publish and implement a new Our Rural Future policy from 2026 and the process of developing this policy is well advanced.
"An extensive process of consultation was put in place to inform this work which gathered the views of stakeholders and communities across the country.
"This consultation commenced in March 2025 with an online public survey that received almost 1,300 responses, followed by a series of eight in-person events across the country which were attended by approximately 500 stakeholders and members of the public.
"Representatives of the farming community were invited to these events and the opportunities and challenges faced by sector and its importance in supporting the economic sustainability of rural areas have featured strongly in our consultations."
The department also added: "A paper, setting out the proposed key themes and priorities for the new policy was published for a period of public consultation in November 2025, with submissions invited until 12 December 2025.
"This process yielded 273 written responses, including from farming organisations. Bilateral meetings with key stakeholders, representative groups and public bodies are also taking place."
